25 Different Types of Hats for Men

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Learn how to style each hat for a phenomenal ‘fit

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Baseball Cap

2 Beanie

3 Bucket Hat

4 Cowboy Hat

5 Wide Flat Brim Hat

6 Straw Hat

7 Driving Cap

8 Beret

9 Gambler Hat

10 Mariner Hat

11 Newsboy Cap

12 Trapper Hat

13 Top Hat

14 Bowler Hat

15 Boater Hat

16 Homburg Hat

17 Fedora

18 Trilby Hat

19 Porkpie Hat

20 Panama Hat

21 Safari Hat

22 Outback Hat

23 Ascot Cap

24 Cloche Hat

25 Peruvian Hat

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Co-authored by Sophia Bell

Last Updated: December 17, 2025 References

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A hat is the perfect way to top off any outfit! Read on for a list of 25 types of hats for guys. We’ll explain what each hat looks like, provide an illustration, tell you what it’s made of, and more. Plus, we’ve got expert styling tips from professional stylists on choosing the best hat for you and putting together an outfit that complements both your vibe and your hat.

Types of Hats for Men

The most popular types of hats for men include baseball caps, beanies, bucket hats, cowboy hats, and wide flat-brim hats. Other styles include the straw hat, driving cap, beret, gambler, mariner, newsboy, trapper, top hat, bowler, boater, homburg, fedora, trilby, porkpie, safari, outback, ascot, cloche, and Peruvian hats.

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1

Baseball Cap

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1. 
   The baseball hat is one of the most popular hat options for men. Baseball hats originated in the mid-1800s as a soft cap with a stiff brim. Once the Detroit Tigers put their logo on the hat in 1901, the baseball hat really took off as a marketing tool.

   • Trucker hats have a foam front and mesh back.
   • Snapback hats have an adjustable plastic closure.
   • Fitted and Flexfit hats don’t have a closure on the back and come in different sizes.
   • How to style: This versatile hat is the perfect accessory for any casual ‘fit! Pair a baseball cap that reps your favorite team with jeans and a tee, choose a monochromatic fitted hat to go with trousers and a button-up, or rock a snapback with sweats and a hoodie.
   • Expert tip: Choose a hat that complements your face shape. Personal Stylist Neepa Sikdar says baseball hats look especially great on oval and round faces.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Neepa Sikdar is a Personal Stylist and the Founder of Accessible Style. With 18 years of fashion experience, Neepa has worked with brands such as Nordstrom and J. Crew and has been featured in publications such as Business Insider.

   Rachel Michael is a Personal Stylist and the Owner of Rachel Michael Styling. With more than six years of experience, she specializes in helping others understand and develop their unique style.

   Melissa Young is a Freelance Fashion Stylist with over 10 years of professional experience. Melissa's objective is to elevate people's confidence and comfort through the power of fashion.

   Jordan Stolch is an Image Strategist, Style Advisor, and the Founder of MiKADO, a concierge personal styling firm. With over a decade of experience, Jordan specializes in helping people build a powerful image.
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2

Beanie

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1. 
   The beanie is a soft, woven hat that’s perfect for winter. Beanies are usually made from wool, cashmere, or fleece and often have a layer of insulation. This is a truly versatile hat that comes in tons of styles and colors.

   • How to style: Wear a beanie in a neutral color with a flannel shirt and black pants, add a colorful beanie to a hoodie and jeans, or opt for a peacoat and scarf with a beanie to round out your look.

3

Bucket Hat

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1. 
   The bucket hat fits closely to the head and has a brim to keep your eyes out of the sun. These hats have been around since the 1960s, but reached the height of popularity in the 90s and made a comeback in the 2020s! There are tons of styles and materials, from cotton to denim and nylon or polyester.

   • How to style: Pair a bucket hat with casual outfits, like a sweatsuit and sneakers. Personal Stylist Rachel Michael says, “I think it could look cool if you wear a bucket hat with a really nice cool graphic tee with wide or straight-leg jeans.”
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4

Cowboy Hat

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1. 
   The cowboy hat has a large brim and a pinched crown. Also called a Western hat, this is an iconic representation of the American cowboy. Made from felt or straw, the cowboy hat is available in tons of styles, colors, and sizes.

   • How to style: You can wear a cowboy hat for both casual and formal occasions. Rock a straw hat in summer with jeans and a white tee, or top off a suit with a black felt cowboy hat.
   • Expert tip: Cowboy hats are perfect for men with square faces, according to Sikdar.

5

Wide Flat Brim Hat

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1. 
   The wide flat-brim hat has, no surprise, a stiff, wide, flat brim. It’s sort of a cross between a fedora and a cowboy hat. Usually made from felt, these hats are incredibly popular right now.

   • How to style: Rock a wide flat-brim hat with a peacoat and scarf for a sharp outfit, or keep things casual with jeans, a tee, and a cool watch.
   • Expert tip: Sikdar says to “make sure the color scheme [of the hat] works well for your coloring and…complements your outfit and doesn't detract from it.”
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6

Straw Hat

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1. 
   The straw hat has an extra-wide brim for protection from the sun. Also known as lifeguard hats, straw hats come in different styles. They’re popular among spectators of sports like horse racing and cricket.

   • How to style: Dress to match the occasion! If you’re wearing a straw hat to an outdoor event, pair it with khakis and a white button-down. If you’re wearing one to the beach, go for swim trunks, a tee, and flip-flops.

7

Driving Cap

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1. 
   The driving cap is rounded and has a small, stiff brim. Also known as a flat cap or ivy cap, this is a classic British accessory. Usually made from cotton, wool, or tweed, these caps are sophisticated and elegant.

   • How to style: Elevate trousers, a button-down, and a tie with a driving cap. Or, wear a driving cap with khakis and a cardigan for an elevated but more casual look.
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8

Beret

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1. 
   The beret has a flat crown. Made of cotton, cashmere, or wool, this versatile hat can be pulled down or tilted to the side. Berets are often associated with intellectuals, artists, and military members.

   • How to style: Go for a sleek monochromatic look with all-black shoes, pants, shirt, and beret. Or, pick a colorful beret to top off neutral trousers and a button-down.

9

Gambler Hat

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1. 
   The gambler hat has a cylindrical crown and a broad brim. They’re often made from wool, felt, or straw, and can be worn with a ribbon around the base. A combination of the cowboy hat and fedora, this hat is often associated with the Old West.

   • How to style: The gambler hat is often paired with a button-down shirt. Leave the top few buttons open for a sultry look, or add a vest for a more sophisticated style.
   • Expert tip: Freelance Fashion Stylist Melissa Young says to keep your outfit simple. “When you have a hat on, you don't have to do a lot at all...the hat’s going to do the talking for you,” she explains.
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10

Mariner Hat

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1. 
   The mariner hat also has a cylindrical shape and a wide brim. Also known as a Breton hat or fisherman cap, these nautical hats are typically made of heavy cotton or wool and can be dressed up with ribbon or braided cord.

   • How to style: Embrace the nautical theme with a peacoat and trousers, or top off a casual cableknit sweater and jeans with a mariner hat.

11

Newsboy Cap

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1. 
   A newsboy cap has a full, paneled construction with a button on top and a small brim. Also called the paperboy cap, it’s no surprise that these were named after the paper delivery boys who wore them in the early 1900s. Often made from tweed, these are a bit fuller than a flat cap.

   • How to style: The newsboy cap looks great with a suit, but you can also pair it with jeans, a tee, and a blazer.
   • Expert tip: Sikdar recommends a newsboy cap for men with round or oval faces. Plus, Image Consultant & Style Advisor Jordan Stolch says a newsboy cap or fedora “pulls that whole look together. You're going to look super, super stylish if you can rock something like that and feel really confident doing it.”
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12

Trapper Hat

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1. 
   The trapper hat is a warm winter hat with ear flaps. Traditionally made from fur, some are crafted of wool, leather, or canvas with a shearling liner.

   • How to style: Rock a trapper hat in winter with snow pants, boots, and a warm jacket.

13

Top Hat

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1. 
   A top hat is tall and cylindrical. These hats were extremely popular in the 1800s. Some, like the “opera hat,” were collapsible and could fit under a theatre seat. They’re made from rigid felt.

   • How to style: Top hats were traditionally worn with white tie or morning dress, and aren’t often seen nowadays. However, feel free to don one for a formal occasion or even a costume party!
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14

Bowler Hat

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1. 
   The derby or bowler hat is rounded in shape. Popular in America (and called the derby) as well as Europe (referred to as the bowler), this hat was often worn with a lounge suit in the 1880s and 1910s. Made of hard felt, Charlie Chaplin famously wore a derby hat, as did Butch Cassidy and Billy the Kid of the American West.

   • How to style: Wear a bowler hat with slim-fitting pants and a sweater, or pair it with a suit for formal occasions.

15

Boater Hat

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1. 
   The boater hat became popular after WWII. These hats, also called skimmers, are stiff and made from straw, and were the top choice to wear with a suit in the summer. They’re also an iconic representation of the barbershop quartet.

   • How to style: Pair a boater hat with a summer suit. Wrap a grosgrain ribbon that complements your outfit around the bottom of your boater hat’s crown.
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16

Homburg Hat

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1. 
   The homburg hat has a V-shaped divot on the top. Made from felt, these are much shorter than top hats and have a curled brim. Al Pacino wore a homburg in The Godfather.

   • How to style: Keep things casual with jeans, a tee, and an open button-down, or top off a suit with a homburg hat.

17

Fedora

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1. 
   The fedora has a shorter crown and a wide, soft brim. The crown has a teardrop-shaped indentation and is narrowed at the front. The fedora, made from felt, reached the height of popularity in the 1930s and 40s. Harrison Ford wears a fedora in the Indiana Jones movies.

   • How to style: Wear a fedora with a suit for formal events, or create a laid-back vibe with jeans, a fitted tee, a scarf, and a leather jacket.
   • Expert tip: Sikdar says that fedoras are especially great for men with round and square faces.
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18

Trilby Hat

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1. 
   The trilby is a lightweight, sturdy hat. With a narrow brim, a crease down the center, and indentations on the side, the trilby was worn primarily during the 1950s and 60s. Dan Akroyd and John Belushi wore trilbies in The Blues Brothers movie. The trilby hat was made of wool, tweed, straw, or rabbit hair and can be adorned with a feather or ribbon.

   • How to style: A trilby looks great with a tee and a vest, and is also a wonderful accessory for a suit.

19

Porkpie Hat

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1. 
   The porkpie is a small, round hat with a stiff, curled brim. The top has an oval or teardrop shape and was popular in the 1960s and 70s.

   • How to style: Wear a porkpie hat with a bomber jacket for a streetwear vibe, or take things up a notch by pairing it with jeans, a button-down, and a long jacket.
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20

Panama Hat

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1. 
   The Panama hat has a wide brim. Made from toquilla straw, the crown can be pinched or not, and accentuated with a ribbon. Weaved by Ecuadorian artisans, this versatile hat is lightweight and breathable.

   • How to style: Pair it with a linen or silk suit. The Panama hat is perfect for summer!

21

Safari Hat

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1. 
   The boonie, or safari hat, is durable with a wide brim. These hats were designed to protect you from the sun and other elements, and are made from polyester, cotton, or a blend of the two. Some even contain mesh vents and/or chin straps.

   • How to style: The safari hat is a great choice for adventuring, from fishing to hiking and more. Pair it with sun-protective or waterproof fabrics that match the needs of your excursion, from shorts and a tee to a long-sleeved top and pants. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
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22

Outback Hat

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1. 
   The outback hat has a wide brim and a pinched crown. Also known as an Aussie hat, you have the option to wear the left side of the hat brim pinned up so it’s flat against the crown. These hats are made from felt or even leather.

   • How to style: Pair an Aussie hat with a denim button-down or a neutral-colored polo and jeans.

23

Ascot Cap

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1. 
   The ascot cap has a soft, round crown attached to the brim. Made from tweed, wool, or leather, the ascot, or Cuffley cap, is elegant and sophisticated.

   • How to style: Pair an ascot hat with an argyle sweater and khakis or a turtleneck, slacks, and a peacoat.
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24

Cloche Hat

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1. 
   A cloche hat has a rounded crown and brim. Made from felt, the cloche is often worn in winter, and is the French word for “bell,” which describes its shape pretty well.

   • How to style: Pair a cloche with trousers, a button-down, and an overcoat for a sophisticated and stylish winter ‘fit.

25

Peruvian Hat

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1. 
   A Peruvian hat is made for winter and covers the ears. It typically has earflaps with strings that hang down from them, which can be tied under the chin. Peruvian, or chullo, hats are made from sheep, llama, or alpaca wool and come in a variety of colors and patterns. [[

   • How to style: Wear a Peruvian hat in the winter with your favorite warm pants and jacket. Or, go for a more traditional ‘fit by pairing it with a Peruvian poncho.
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Tips

• Etiquette Coach Tami Claytor advises, “Always take your hat off when you're inside and take your hat off when you're in the presence of a lady and someone in authority.” If you’re sitting down, she says, “After you remove it, you can put it on your knee or on the back of your chair.”
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• Professional Organizer Ashley Moon, MA, says to keep your most-worn hats in an accessible location, like on a hook on the wall or in your closet. Then, sort the rest of your hats by type and store them in baskets or display them on hooks.
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