A Complete Guide To Choosing The Right Hat For Your Face Shape
Have you ever wondered why the same hat can look very different on two people? Face shape is one of the key factors – every woman has her own unique shape, which is pivotal when it comes to selecting the perfect hat. While no two faces are the same, face shapes can generally be categorised into six types: oval, round, square, heart, triangle and diamond. In addition to these basic shapes, the length of a face is another important dimension that determines a person’s facial characteristics and what kind of hat suits them best.
At Alexandra Harper Millinery, we are passionate about helping every woman find her perfect hat – with our expertise, we are confident that we can help match you to the hat that will complement your face to the fullest, bringing out your best features. After all, hat choice goes beyond fashion and trends: it’s about harmonising with facial features to create balance and accentuate an individual’s unique aesthetic.
This article will walk you through, step-by-step, the process of finding the right hat for your face shape. We will also explore how hair length comes into play and offer recommendations on the best styles for different hair lengths.
How To Determine Your Face Shape
Before we delve into the details of choosing the right hat, let’s take a closer look at the different face shapes. The first step is to determine your face shape, as this may not be immediately obvious to every woman. You can start by asking your friends or family to take a good look at your face, as it’s often easier for others to see!
If you’re still unsure, have your measuring tape ready as you’ll have to take some measurements of your face that will help you determine your face shape. Take a flexible measuring tape or ruler and start measuring your face, jotting down the following measurements:
- Face length: Measure from the top of your hairline to the lowest part of your chin.
- Forehead width: Measure the distance across the centre of your forehead from hairline to hairline.
- Cheekbone width: Feel for the highest point of your cheekbone, then proceed to measure from one cheekbone across your face to the other.
- Jawline width: Hold the measuring tape just below your ear and bring it down to the centre of your chin. Then multiply this number by two.
Now, compare these measurements and determine your face shape based on the ratio between them. The exact numbers do not matter as much as the proportions between different elements.
- Oval: Typically, the forehead width is smaller than the cheekbone width, and the face is longer than it is wide. The jawline and chin tend to be more rounded, without any sharp lines.
- Round: Round face shapes are roughly equal in width and length. Another telltale sign of a round face is having a rounded hairline and jawline.
- Square: You have a square face shape if your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are, broadly speaking, the same width. Moreover, your jawline and forehead tend to be wider and more pronounced. While the measurements might be similar to that of a round face, your facial contours have more of an angular feel with minimal curves.
- Heart: On heart-shaped faces, the forehead is wider than the jawline, the cheekbones are wider than the forehead, and the chin is typically narrow with a strong point. Another giveaway is having a widow’s peak hairline.
- Inverted Triangle: The main features of a triangular face are high cheekbones and a narrow jaw. Your chin is narrow and comes to a point which may be rounded or more angular.
- Diamond: The diamond face shape is a more angular version of an oval face shape, typically featuring high and prominent cheekbones; the distance between them is slightly wider than the forehead width. The chin is also narrower and more pointed when compared to a round face shape.
Now that you know your face shape, let’s discover what types of hats might best suit your facial features.
Oval Shape
Nearly all hats look flattering on the classic oval face shape. Women with oval faces can choose from a variety of hat styles, including fedoras, berets, sun hats and wide-brimmed hats. If you have a longer-than-average oval face, hats and caps with some width will look best on you. Avoid hats with narrow or close-fitting crowns, as that will make your face appear longer.
Round Shape
If you have a round face, the guiding principle should be to choose hats with the opposite features: opt for angular rather than rounded styles to create a more balanced look. Hats with a low crown and a wide brim will help elongate the face, giving it a more angular appearance.
Square Shape
A square-shaped face is characterised by strong, angular facial features. If you would like to soften the angles and balance your facial proportions, opt for styles with a softer outline that add volume and roundness. Avoid hats with square or very geometric, structured crowns. Asymmetry also works well on square-shaped faces – try wearing your hat tipped to one side, which lends elegance to the overall look.
Heart Shape
If you have a heart-shaped face, a hat with a medium brim that is wider at the bottom will help balance the proportions of the face and bring greater harmony to your features. Caps, cloche hats and brimmed hats are among the most flattering styles for heart-shaped faces. Since individuals with this face shape tend to have prominent cheekbones, it’s best to avoid styles with a narrow crown. Baseball-style caps are another great option for heart-shaped faces, as they do not add any width to the cheekbones.
Inverted Triangle Shape
When it comes to the inverted triangle shape, the goal is to create the illusion of a narrower forehead and a more balanced chin. Hats with a prominent square or round crown and a medium or slanted brim can give the face a more proportional look. In addition, fedoras and asymmetric hats, such as a cloche, are very flattering on this face shape. Avoid wide brims and floppy or chunky hats: the brim shouldn’t be wider than your cheekbones.
Diamond Shape
If you have a diamond-shaped face, you may want to create the illusion of a longer face and a wider forehead. Styles with a shallow crown, worn further back on the head, can help achieve this goal. Moreover, a medium brim with some side detailing can visually widen the forehead. Pillbox hats, in particular, are very flattering on diamond-shaped faces. Avoid styles that sit lower than your hairline, as they can make your forehead appear lower and narrower.
Hair Length
While your face shape is a key factor in what hats might be most suitable for you, the length of your hair is another crucial factor to consider when choosing the right headwear. Here is a quick guide on how hair length can influence your headwear choice.
Short and mid-length hair
Fedoras with short brims and cloche-style hats look very chic with shorter hair, especially if you have a fringe that can be pulled out from underneath the hat. This adds more visual interest and frames the face beautifully. If you are looking for a more sophisticated or vintage-inspired look, the classic cloche hat is a great option; its fitted, bell-shaped structure will complement your hair length perfectly without overpowering it.
Long hair
For women with longer hair, a wide-brim fedora is a wonderful choice. The wider brim gives your long hair more room to shine without restricting it. Similarly, a floppy hat will complement your hair length beautifully, creating a well-proportioned look while allowing your long tresses to flow naturally.
We hope you found this guide helpful. No matter your face shape and hairstyle, there is always a hat out there that will complement your personality and style. Also, the recommendations given in this article are not intended to be prescriptive: headwear offers the perfect opportunity to unleash your creative side, so feel free to experiment with different styles! There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to finding the perfect hat. Let your individuality be your guide and express your personality through your headwear choice.
Finish Your Outfit with Alexandra Harper
At Alexandra Harper Millinery, we offer a wide selection of hats in a plethora of styles, from traditional cloches to avant-garde masterpieces. There truly is an Alexandra Harper hat for every woman out there – discover our full collection to find your perfect hat today! If you are seeking styles that reflect the latest trends, why not explore our recently launched Spring/ Summer 2024 Collection? Whether your style is more sleek and simple or extravagant and bold, we are confident there will be something suited to you.
If you would like something bespoke for a certain occasion or to complement a particular outfit, we encourage you to take advantage of our custom design service. This service allows us to craft a one-of-a-kind piece that fits your exact vision. The process can usually be completed within two or three weeks. Contact Alexandra today to create a millinery masterpiece unique to you.