Hats have transitioned into one of the popular must-have fashion accessories for their attractive qualities and cool vibes. People from all walks of life right from celebrities to high-schoolers stock their everyday wardrobe with hats and caps to make a statement. It is helpful to know the various pieces that comprise the structure of the hat and the terms used to describe each part before you decide which kind of hat best suits your purpose. This article helps to understand the hat terms, fabrics and styles suitable for men, women and youth, so you can make informed decisions while you are out and about for your next hat purchase.
Hat Terms
Every part of a hat has its purpose. Whether it's to offer comfort, provide shade or simply add aesthetic appeal, the different sections of a hat contribute to the wearer's overall experience.Let’s delve deeper.
Crown
Every part of a hat has its purpose. Whether it's to offer comfort, provide shade or simply add aesthetic appeal, the different sections of a hat contribute to the wearer's oveThe front portion of the hat; the area above the brim that sits on your head. It is made by sewing all the triangular panels together. There are two types of crowns – structured crown & unstructured crown.
Structured crown
This type of crown retains the shape of the cap when you remove it from your head. They have a rigid front portion due to the white buckram fabric reinforcement underneath the front panels of the cap. This is used to maintain the structure of the hat.
CapBargain Expert Tip:
Due to their big size, structured caps stand out in a crowd. Hence they are a perfect choice for high profile and stylish events.
Unstructured crown
The fabric does not retain its structure when you remove the cap. Unstructured caps take the shape of the wearer’s head when it is worn.
CapBargain Expert Tip:
Unstructured hats give a laid-back feel and are great options for casual and relaxed occasions.
Buckram/Liner
Buckram is a fabric that makes up the interior lining of a hat that helps to retain the structure of the hat. It is not common among all hats and isusually made of soft fabrics such as satin, velvet, synthetic mesh, cotton, or silk.
Visor/Bill/Brim/Peak
All the four terms refer to the stiff protruding part from the base of the crown and extending outward. It provides shade and protection for the wearer. Wider brim offers a greater degree of shade for the face.There are two common types of bills – curved bills & flat bills.
Visor/Bill/Brim/Peak
All the four terms refer to the stiff protruding part from the base of the crown and extending outward. It provides shade and protection for the wearer. Wider brim offers a greater degree of shade for the face.There are two common types of bills – curved bills & flat bills.
Curved bill
Curved bill caps are those whose bills come with a slight curvature that can be further rolled to suit the individual wearer.
Flat bill
Flat bill hats, as the name indicates, have a flat bill. Flat bill is more of a style preference in comparison to curved bill.
Undervisor
The underside of a hat’s brim.
Sweatband/Inner Band
This is the hat’s interior band located just above the hat’s undervisor that is used to absorb sweat from the wearer’s head.
Decoration
Any embellishment featured on the hat.
Panels
These are the triangular pieces of fabric that are stitched together to form the main rounded structure of the hat. Hats are usually 5 paneled, 6 paneled or 7 paneled.
Crowns that are made of five triangular panels are called a 5 panel hat. These caps replace two triangular panels of the six-panel hat with a single one thus making the front of the hat seamless.
Crowns that are made of six triangular panels sewn together in a round shape are called 6 panel hats. These hats have a seam running down the middle of the front portion of the hat.
7 panel hats have the front portion of the hat divided into 3 panels – one large central block and 2 smaller triangular panels.
CapBargain Expert Tip:
5 panel hats are best for custom decoration due to their seamless front panels that allows uninterrupted room for the artwork or design.
Button
It is a fabric covered metal jewel on the top of the crown to hold all the panels together. It is either metal or plastic and is covered with the fabric used on the cap.
Profile
It is a fabric covered metal jewel on the top of the crown to hold all the panels together. It is either metal or plastic and is covered with the fabric used on the cap.:Refers to the slope of the cap’s crown.There are 3 types of profiles – low profile, medium or mid profile and high profile.
Low profile hats
will have shallower crowns in the 2-3 inch range, meaning that the brim of the hat will rest somewhere on the forehead when pulled down tight.
Medium profile
Denotes hats with a crown height of 3-4 inches, meaning the brim should reach to roughly the top of the brow when pulled down tight.
High Profile
Hats have a crown height of more than 4 inches. These hats would reach to your eyes or further if pulled down tight.
Closure
It is the back piece of a hat that determines the fit and adjustability of the cap. Closures can be snap back, buckled and adjustable hook/loop tape or Velcro.
Eyelets
These are the small holes on the top of the hat that allow the head to breathe. They can be either metal or reinforced stitching
Common fabrics used to make hats
There are a huge variety of fabrics used to make hats. However the best fabric to use is the one that matches the purpose, weather and season. Below are the most common fabrics used.
Cotton
Lightweight, durable, soft and breathable, cotton is one of the most commonly used fabrics to make hats. Unlike other fabrics, it is naturally hypoallergenic—this means cotton hats will not irritate the skin. It is often blended with other types of materials such as polyester or rayon to make the hat more durable. Some hats are made from either washed cotton or unwashed cotton. Washed cotton has a softer feel and a duller look. Unwashed cotton has a smooth finish and a bright look. Cotton hats are best for the hot and humid summer days.
Brushed cotton
It is woven cotton that is brushed during the end stages of creation causing a rub against the fibers. This creates raised fibers that traps more air and provides better insulation capabilities.
CapBargain Expert Tip:
Brushed cotton is prone to shrinkage and pilling in the long run.
Twill
Cotton Twill Hats are those made of cotton that are woven in parallel diagonal ribs unlike regular cotton’s plain weave.
Denim
Denim hats are made of cotton in a twill weave of hard twisted ply yarns. The warp thread is indigo dyed and the weft/filling thread is white. These are thicker and stronger than regular cotton. It isgreat for staying stylish in the sun.
Canvas
Canvas is a heavy-duty fabric where cotton or linen is blended with a polymer and has a plain weave, or a tighter duck weave.
Acrylic
This is a synthetic fabric that has a slightly coarser feel. They are durable, more resistant to stains and repelling liquids. It is also dense, making it the better synthetic for retaining heat.
CapBargain Expert Tip:
Acrylic is a great choice for snapbacks and beanies since they retain shape very well and can be made into any thickness.
Polyester
Polyester is one of the most popular materials used in making hats. It is a lighter and more breathable fabric than acrylic. The moisture-wicking property of polyester hats is excellent since it absorbs sweat from the skin, leaving it dry and comfortable.
CapBargain Expert Tip:
Polyester or polyester blend hats have a wrinkle free finish and are the best choice for any occasions related to sports and adventure. Polyester hats are cheaper too.
Nylon
These are used to make thin and lightweight caps suitable for hot summer days
Tip Nylon hats do not shrink. Hence you don’t have to worry about hats losing their original shape.
Wool
Soft, Durable and slightly elastic, wool hats are comparable to cotton hats in terms of feel, but are usually denser and hold heat more effectively.
Wool blend
This is not 100% wool. It has one or more other fabrics blended into the wool; however, the warmth, integrity and appearance of the wool are sustained
Tip Wool and wool blends are the best choices for cold weather.
Straw
Straw is made of material from different plants such as bamboo, wheatgrass, etc. and sometimes from synthetic fibers.
Tip Straw hats are fashionable options to protect your head from the fierce sun rays during summer.
Jersey
It is a lightweight single-knit fabric made of cotton, wool or synthetic fibers. It is known for its softness and stretch.
Common styles of hats
Understanding the most common styles of hats is important because many times styles get interchanged by missing subtle differences.
Baseball Hat
The Baseball Cap is the most common style of cap used by people all over the world and is considered as a wardrobe staple. It has a round crown, firm curved bill that provides shade for the eyes & face and a button on the top of the hat.
Dad Hat
The Dad Hat is a 6 panel baseball hat with an unstructured crown and a slightly curved brim but not as curved as the traditional baseball hat. They are usually made of washed cotton or canvas.
CapBargain Expert Tip:
Since the dad hats are unstructured, they fit perfectly on the head of any person, making them one of the best choices for everyday wear.
Trucker Hat
This is also similar to baseball hats; the main difference is in the mesh back and broader front panels. The front panels are usually made of foam or cotton twill. The mesh back of these hats keep your heads cool during hot summer days.
CapBargain Expert Tip:
Foam front trucker caps are high profile and make a bold statement. Hence they are great options for custom decorations. Cotton twill front trucker caps are low profile and are best for casual occasions.
Snapback Hat
The Snapback Hat is a structured version of a baseball hat with an adjustable snap closure. They come in a variety of styles - flat-billed, curved billed, sandwich billed, mesh-backed, and more. It adds a vibrant and sporty touch to any outfit.
CapBargain Expert Tip:
If you want to attract a younger audience, a flat-brim snapback hat is the best choice. You can go with curved bill snapback hats if you want something low-key and casual for daily use.
Beanies
Beanies are the best options to keep your head warm during the chilly cold weather. Besides the classic knit or cuffed beanies, many beanies now come with pom-poms or a slouched back for a modern and relaxed look and feel.
Fitted hat
These hats have closed backs with no opening and have a stretchable fabric that wraps around your head. They got their name from the fact that these hats cannot be adjusted; you just buy a size that fits your head.
Bucket Hat
Bucket hat is a soft hat with a round crown, a wide brim, a downward sloping brim and two metal eyelets on the sides of the hat. The brim offers shade from the sun for the eyes and face.
Distressed hat
The fibers in the fabric of a distressed hat are strategically removed to create a beaten, torn or worn out look for the hat. The distressing does not affect the wearability or durability of the hat. These hats look anything but new.
Sandwich billed hat
These hats use a colorful layer of material in the brim, while the top and bottom of the brim retain the same colors as the rest of the hat. The result is a layered color scheme along the breadth of the hat.
Ponytail hat
It is a cap with a high ponytail hole to keep your hair up higher and off your neck. It will hold your hair in place better.
Conclusion
We hope you got to know your hat better now – terms, materials and common styles associated with hats. You are now better equipped to find a style that suits your purpose the best.
Having said that, if you have a hat style in mind or you want to try something new, CapBargain has a large selection of wholesale caps including baseball hats, dad hats, trucker hats, beanies, flat visors, fitted hats, snapbacks, and more, for you to choose from. All the hats and caps come in dozens of colors and emphasize premium quality fabrics.
All our blank hats can be customized easily with your logo, artwork or design at wholesale prices. Embroidery or heat transfers, just upload your artwork or use one of our premium cliparts from the free design library. You can also utilize or have our in-house design team create a custom design from scratch just for you. You can leave a message for our professional customer service team at https://capbargain.com/contact and they will take care of the rest.
