Everyone — and by everyone, I mean influencers, It girls and some mere mortals — seems to be into hats lately. Buckets haven’t had such a moment since ‘90s icons LL Cool J, Jennifer Aniston and members of Oasis rocked the look. Baseball caps seem to be as common as sneakers. And beanies? Too cute with an on-trend bob or long waves. Here are some fresh ways to style hair with hats, no matter if it’s a cozy fireside vibe you’re after or for vacationing with a wide-brim number as sun protection.
Hip, Hip, Beret!
Maybe it’s the Emily in Paris influence, but whatever the reason, berets are having a moment. But how to wear them without looking like you’re trying trop fort? Berets look chicest with loose, easy styles like natural waves or curls worn down or a loose braid down the side. And bangs can definitely work with this little chapeau — just sit it further back on the head so the bangs aren’t flattened. And try to keep your hat — be it a beret or other style — on as part of your look. “But if you need to take it off,” says Garnier celebrity hairstylist Millie Morales, “Avoid brushing hair with a comb; instead use your fingers to get it looking good.”
Prepping hair with some hairspray — she recommends Garnier Fructis Anti-Humidity Hairspray — helps hair stay tame and low-frizz when the hat comes off.
Batter Up
Couldn’t be easier: Chances are, you already have a baseball hat in your wardrobe, plus just about every hairstyle looks good with one. The baseball cap has an inherently masculine vibe so it’s perfect to juxtapose with a feminine hairstyle like bubble ponytails, pancake braids, or big, beautiful curls. See this tutorial for an easy-to-achieve bubble ponytail and baseball hat look. And see here for super simple pancake plaits. Celebrity hairstylist and inventor of the Beachwaver, Sarah Potempa, loves natural curls with a baseball cap. She recommends a .75-inch barrel iron and then separating the curls at the end for texture. If you have a massive cascade of curls, then a backless cap like the CurlCap might be for you.
Anything to avoid with baseball caps? Bangs can be challenging. If yours look flattened or otherwise awkward, try twisting and pinning your fringe back for the day. And wearing high ponytails tucked through the back of the baseball hat can look dated — wear it down or in low ponies or plaits to keep things fresh.
Bucket List
Cloche or bucket styles are everywhere right now, in part because they look great with a range of hairstyles, textures, and shapes, from short to long, flat to voluminous, and especially with bangs. If you have natural curls or waves, rock them with a bucket. If not, then try Potempa’s Beachwaver S1 to get long, loose waves. Potempa recommends rotating each curl “away from your face” and allowing “curls to cool and then spray a flexible hairspray.” Hair not quite as long or full as you want? Try clip-in, human-hair extensions to complete this look, says the pro.
Beanie, Baby
Morales says beanies are great “for a casual or sporty look” and pair equally well with wavy short or long hair, and long, sleek and straight looks. And if you have bangs, find a beanie that can sit back on the head (slouchy styles can be fab here) to prevent your fringe from being squished down. If the hat feels too loose, secure it at the sides with bobby pins.
Wide Ranging
Wide brims include summery straw hats or a floppy, boho number for when “you’re looking for a more glam look,” says Morales, who loves pairing a wide brim with wavy hair or her “signature low bun” that sits low on the nape of the neck. For something more contemporary, Potempa loves a side-swept fishtail braid. See a tutorial here. For something a bit more challenging, try this faux boho braid, as seen in the video here. Pro tip: She uses Braid Balm for grip — “very helpful to keep a loose braid in place.”
Things to Avoid
In general, do our pros have any words of caution when wearing hats? For starters, Morales says, “Avoid hats if you just used heat tools or you just blow-dried your hair because it will increase the possibility of hat hair.” Along the same lines, “It’s best not to wear any hat while your hair is wet — you have to let your hair dry completely first.” Wet hair with a hat is asking for creases and potential breakage. And Potempa points out the obvious: “Wearing your hair up in a top knot or high pony doesn’t work.” Your hat won’t sit right. Instead, “All hairstyles look great with a hat when they are loose and close to the neckline,” advises Morales. At the end of the day, it’s all about proportion.
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