How To Make Your Look More Sophisticated: Hat Styling Tips For Every Face Shape
As summer draws to a close and we enter into the cozy season, we begin to start looking for more ways to add layers of clothing to our attire. However, it can start to feel stale if we’re simply covering up our most creative outfits with a big peacoat—even if the coat itself is in good taste. If you’ve been looking for ways to stay warm this autumn as well as how to make your look more sophisticated, hat styling may be the answer! And don’t worry—we’ll cover what types of hats to wear in spring and summer too.
In this post, we will go over the season’s top styles, including how to choose a hat for your style and face shape. By the end of the article, you will know not only how to select a style of hat to compliment your face shape, but you’ll also know what time of year is best for a Lolita hat—as well as where to find the most unique looks for 2024.
Why Choose A Lolita Hat And How To Match
While hats are a natural choice in colder months, they aren’t necessarily relegated to fall and winter alone. In fact, adding a hat in summer or springtime can be a great way to shield your face from harmful UV rays and protect your eyes, while also adding a touch of elegance to your look.
When it comes to choosing the right hats for your wardrobe, you’ll want to look for statement pieces with attention to detail that also offer versatility. The key to pulling off such a hat, such as a “Lolita hat,” lies in making sure all elements of your outfit are carefully coordinated. This includes finding shades of color appropriate to your clothing choices—and you may even consider changing your palate seasonally, such as prints and pastels for springtime, black, camel, and white for summer, and warm, vibrant tones for fall and winter. Keep reading for more on how to pick the right type of hat for your face shape.
Different Kinds Of Lolita Hats:
There are many kinds of Lolita hats that you can build your seasonal look upon. Let’s take a look at the top four Lolita hats perfect for all four seasons.
1. Bonnet: Known for its European roots, this oversized hat is perfect for shading your face in the sunny months. Look for a style that goes with your aesthetic, with color combinations that match seamlessly with your existing style. Simple bonnets like this one allow your face to take center stage, while more elaborate bonnets such as this one sporting multiple bows bring more emphasis to your overall style. Whatever look you go with, bonnets allow room for play with styling your hair—so have fun and get creative!
2. Straw Hat: Topping your look with an elegant straw hat complete with flower decorations is a no-brainer when it comes to adding sweetness and elegance to your attire. With a distinctive, retro vibe, the right straw hat can bring your look from a cute outfit to a fully fleshed-out ensemble with a cohesive sense of style. These hats are perfect for spring as they are lightweight, generally light in color palate, and are just asking to be paired with lace, flowers, feathers, or other natural elements that are abundant in springtime.
3. Top Hat: It doesn’t get much more sophisticated than a top hat—no matter what time of year it is! However, these fabric-based hats are often best left to cooler months, which is why we’ve selected autumn as the best time of year to wear a top hat. Adding a top hat to your look can bring an inspired sense of whimsy to your aesthetic, such as this elegant teacup hat or this pink and mint green top hat complete with bunny ears. Adding a top hat is also a great way to dress up your look, so you will be ready for everything from a boardwalk stroll to the red carpet!
4. Beret: Finally, we have the beret, which is perfect for when you want to feel cozy and bundled up in wintertime. A simple, felted beret can help move your attire to the next level while keeping you warm in all sorts of weather. Berets also look great with long hair as well as shorter haircuts and have a flattering look for almost any face shape. In fact, it is not a bad idea to select a winning beret that comes in a number of colors so you can match it with your winter outfit any day of the week! At the very least, it is prudent to match your beret to your winter coat.
How To Choose The Right Hat For You
As with any article of clothing, hats can sometimes take the shopper by surprise by looking fantastic on the shelf and not feeling flattering in the mirror when tried on—or vice versa. In a wide world of different styles and hat options, it can seem daunting to narrow down the hunt for the right head adornment for your aesthetic. So you don’t have to waste time and effort trying on an endless stream of hats (or worse, buying and returning hats in an ongoing loop), we’ve helped you to narrow down your hat selection based on three primary categories: face shape, size of the hat, and desired aesthetic.
1. Face Shape: While it might seem like a small detail, the contours and shape of your face can play a huge role in whether or not a hat looks good on your frame. For example, if you have a round face, you may be better suited to a bonnet or a straw hat that ties under the chin. This can help to create angles in your features and highlight the existing bone structure of your face. For those with a square face or a strong jaw, a beret can be feminine and complimentary, softening your look. If you have a long, angular face, the bonnet is your best bet, as it can help to draw attention in all the right places while softening any harsh lines with soft ribbons and fabric.
2. Size Selection: There are a couple of factors when it comes to picking the size of your hat: the time of year, the atmosphere in which the hat will be worn, and the general vibe that the wearer is going for. For example, a wide-brimmed hat can be excellent for shielding the sun—but the additional girth can hinder lines of sight and might not be the best thing to wear to a movie theatre, for example. Consider if you will be inside or outside when wearing your hat, and the conditions. Will it be hot? Will there be shade or breezes? Will there be air conditioning? What activities are you planning on doing? Additionally, wider-brimmed hats can make the face appear smaller, while a smaller hat can make the face seem bigger. Consider if you are going for a more delicate look or a “louder” one.
3. Aesthetic: Obviously, the desired aesthetic is going to influence your hat choice. Look for hats that stick to your color palate, compliment your face shape, and importantly, that work with your hair styling. For example, straw hats look wonderful with partial updos, while a beret will look stunning with hair worn long. Bonnets also are complimented by updos, but look fantastic with hair framing the face, such as fringe or bangs. Top hats work with hair worn slicked back or naturally hanging down. Considering how you will style your hair is a big factor when it comes to picking a hat.
Many stylists first starting out forget (or have yet to learn) the incredible impact that adding a hat to their look can have. This simple step can elevate an entire wardrobe in one move and, if selected correctly, can help emphasize the flattering features and provide framing for your face while allowing room for play with hair styling, makeup, and other aesthetic styling options for your face, such as piercings or glasses.
Not all hats are created equally, however, especially when it comes to taste and quality—so make sure you select a premium Lolita hat that is going to compliment your wardrobe, your sense of style, and your complexion. By selecting either a bonnet, straw hat, top hat, or beret, you can elevate your look and provide yet another layer of styling to your daily outfits; and factoring in face shape, size, and aesthetic allows you to find the right Lolita hat for your vibe and improve your styling at any time of year—and for any activity level.
Want to learn more simple ways to up your wardrobe game? Check out our recent article on selecting a chic handbag as a practical and stylish accessory.