How to Wear a Hat with Long Hair

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 21, 2021

Pairing a thoughtful hairstyle with a fashionable hat can be a killer combination. Make your long hair easier to manage by straightening or curling it, or by pulling it out of the way entirely to make a ponytail. If you're feeling adventurous, try a braid or an updo. Add your hat and your look is ready!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Wearing Your Hair Down

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Wear your hair straight for a sleek, cool look. Whether your hair is naturally straight or you use a flatiron, straight hair can look sleek and stylish under any kind of hat. Pull your hair over your ears and then pull the hat over your hair. This will keep your hair looking full.^{[1]
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- Sleek, straight hair looks good with a baseball cap. Go for a retro look with a beret or kepi.
- For an even fuller or more tousled look, use a volumizing or texturizing spray.
2
Curl your hair if you like a look with more volume. Curly hair tends to go flat underneath a hat, so curl starting from the level of your ears to the ends of your hair. Soft, relaxed waves look elegant under a hat, so don't curl your hair too tightly.^{[2]
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- Try a knitted cap with curled hair for a winter look. Or, elevate a baseball cap with styled curls.
- To make your curls look thick and luscious, pull them to the front of your face and shoulders, and then put your hat on.
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3
Wear your natural texture for a fun, easy look. If you have naturally thick and curly hair, pin a silk cap or scarf to your hair underneath your hat using a bobby pin. This protects the texture of your hair. Part your hair to one side, or into front and back sections, to make room for a hat and keep your curls out of the way.
- Look for hats designed specifically for people with curly hair, such as satin-lined caps.
- Beanies work well with natural hair because they can stretch to fit hair with a lot of volume. You can also try a wide-brimmed hat for a dramatic look.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Braiding Your Hair or Wearing a Ponytail

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Style your hair in a low, casual ponytail to keep it out of your face. A low ponytail looks good with a baseball cap or a more casual hat while also keeping your hair out of the way. Make sure that wherever you tie your ponytail doesn't interfere with the fit of the hat.^{[3]
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- For a fuller or more styled look, add some loose waves to your ponytail.
- You can also wear a higher ponytail with a baseball cap by pulling the end of the ponytail through the opening in the cap.^{[4]
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2
Braid your hair loosely for a bohemian style. A single loose braid down your back or over one shoulder will keep your hair out of the way and look good with lots of different hat styles. Keeping the braid loose and messy will give you a more casual look.^{[5]
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- Wear a loose braid with a felt hat to get a fun, festival style, or with a straw hat for a summer look.
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Wear your hair in two ponytails or braids for a fun variation. Wearing a ponytail or braid on either side of your hat will still keep you hair out of the way, while adding some variation to your look. Make the look more sleek by keeping the ponytails or braids tight. For a more bohemian look, wear loose ponytails or messy braids.^{[6]
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- Try double ponytails with a baseball cap for a sporty look, or double braids with a fedora or panama hat.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Creating an Updo

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Put your hair in a low bun. Create a messy bun by gathering and twisting your hair at the base of your neck, or you can try a more involved braided bun. To create a simple bun, gather your hair into a ponytail. Then twist your hair from the ends until it is tight. Finally, wrap the ends around the base of the ponytail and pin it in place.^{[7]
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- Try a messy bun with a baseball cap to keep your look casual, or try a sleek and styled bun with a structured felt hat.
- For extra security, use some hairspray to keep your bun in place.
2
Put your hair in a pair of shoelace buns. Separate your hair into two even sections. Take one section and divide it again into two even sections. Tie the two smaller sections from one side together into a loose knot. Continue to tie loose knots until you only have a short piece of hair left over. Use a hair tie to secure the end. Repeat the same technique on the other side.^{[8]
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- This bohemian hairstyle looks good with a wide-brimmed hat.
3
Create a braided twist updo. Pull your hair into three low ponytails at the back of your head and secure them with elastics. Braid each ponytail loosely and tie them off. One at a time, twist the braids up, tucking the ends of the braids into the first set of elastics. Pin them more securely into place with bobby pins.^{[9]
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- For this more complex hairstyle, choose a simple hat with a small brim to keep the emphasis on the updo.
- Small, plastic elastics will secure your hair without adding weight.