Hey there! Thanks for stopping by. Today we're talking Hats and the best hats for your face shape.
We talk shape a lot here especially when it comes to getting the best swimsuit fit.
Shape Before Size is our mantra. Because when you understand your shape, your features that make up your beautiful shape, you can match that to the features and shape of whatever you choose to wear and get the best outcome for you. And when I talk about the best outcome, what I mean by that is how it feels on. Feeling supported, feels good...feels like you when you wear it.
"I can never find a hat that suits me." Are they words that you've said to yourself over the years? Maybe you've settled for a 'that'll do' hat because you've not been able to nail it for some time and you're over it. I've had 100's of conversations like this with women over the last 15 years or so, about finding the right swimsuit and their swimsuit fit frustrations.
Hats can be tricky too. Let's see if we can help you better appreciate what hat might work for you. We'll consider:
- Your Features - Your Face Shape
- The Hat's Features - Different Hat Shapes
and match them up together.
Face Shapes
Now, I may be the Cossie Whisperer but I'm not the Hat whisperer :) I have research this topic and have found Kendra Powell's information to be brilliant. Her Face Shape explanation and information I found to be the easiest to understand. It's available on her website here. I encourage you to head over there to deepen your understanding.
What I love about Kendra's theory is that she uses a Scale and shows how Base Face Shapes morph into others as you change their:
- width
- length
- angularity/roundness
The image below is her scale for Round Shapes (click on it to enlarge It).
The same can be done with Square based shapes. Then there are Diamond, Triangles and Hearts. I've put them in images below for your too.
Kendra uses 11 in all which you can see below. By using the scale you can get an idea of how the shapes are related and derrived from each other in many cases. AND that your shape lies on the scale somewhere because we are each individual.
Hat Shapes To Match Face Shapes
Just as it is with swimwear and clothing, when we look for the 'best match' for our shape, the theory is that we try to achieve 'balance'. Now I do want to stress that this is THEORY. If you love wearing a particular hat then you go girl! But if you're wanting to work out why you can't find a hat you like to wear, this may help.
Talking Hat features we're talking:
- Brims - width (and roundness)
- Crowns - shape and height/tallness
Balance Principles - to visually balance:
Wider Round shaped face?
The idea is not to add visual width. Add length to offset that with a higher/taller crown. Offset roundness with angles.
- Brim - narrower/medium width
- Crown - higher and angled (not a round shaped crown)
Narrower Round shaped face that's longer - oval and round oblong? Do the opposite. Add width with wider brimmed hats and keep those angles coming! Go for a shorter height crown - even a flatter crown.
Wider Square shaped face?
The idea is not to add visual width. Add length to offset that. Offset angles with Roundness.
- Brim - narrower/medium width - consider curved brims too.
- Crown - higher and round (not so much of an angled shaped crown)
Narrower Square shaped face that's longer - rectangle and Oblong Rectangle? Do the opposite. Add width with wider brimmed hats and keep those curves coming! Go for a shorter height crown.
Heart Shaped Face?
If you have a broad forehead and wide cheekbones with a pointed chin – the chin being the narrowest part, you are a gorgeous Heart shaped girl. Choose styles which slim your widest part (your forehead) to make it appear narrower. Balance out the width of your forehead with a medium or narrow brim.
Bring in angles and even a flatter shaped crown.
Triangle Shaped Face?
Opposite to the Heart shape, a Triangle shaped face has a narrower forehead and wider strong jawline with 'angles'. So...choose wide brim styles which widen your forehead to make it appear wider. Softer rounded crowns that are slightly tall will work best to balance out the strong angles of your jawline and add a little more length.
Diamond Shaped Face?
If your forehead and chin are narrower and cheekbones wider, you are a sparkly diamond with angular features and tapered chin. Look for a hat that balances that out with a medium to wide brim and rounder crown to counter your angular features.
Phew! This is BIG but hopefully you are further along the Hat styling theory and understand more clearly now what hats to look for, their features, to match that of your own.
Again, this is theory girls. At the end of the day it's about the FEEL. If you love a hat that feels great on AND functionally gives you what you need, then that is the hat for you :)
Find Hats at Sequins and Sand right here - in our Accessories/Hats section. Hats that have the features mentioned above are showcased. You can shop them directly from the labels themselves once over there.
If you have any questions feel free to drop me a line at
Happy hat hunting!
Anita xx
Founder & Owner : Sequins and Sand.
Photo gallery:
Round Face Shape - widest to longest.
Square Face Shapes - wide, average and longer
Other Face Shapes - Diamond, Triangle, Heart
Hat Shapes - Round, Angled, Square. Short to wide brim.
Here are some Face Shapes and the best Hat features to match them with.
