Welcome to our comprehensive guide to choosing and wearing hats from Eric Javits, a luxury collection backed by decades of craftsmanship and design excellence.
This guide draws on professional styling expertise and dermatological research to help you select headwear that not only complements your face shape and personal style but also protects your skin health.
Whether you're seeking sun protection, seasonal warmth, or sophisticated elegance, we'll show you how to wear your hat with confidence while making informed decisions about quality and care.
Why Proper Hat Selection Matters
Choosing and wearing hats goes beyond aesthetics. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, wearing a hat with at least a 3-inch brim can reduce your risk of skin cancer on the face, ears, and neck by providing crucial UV protection.
This makes understanding hat selection both a style and health consideration.
1. Understanding Your Face Shape: The Foundation of Hat Selection
Professional stylists and image consultants agree that face shape analysis is the first step in choosing flattering headwear.
Here's how to identify your face shape and select hats that enhance your natural features:
Oval Face Shape
Ladies with oval faces have balanced proportions, making them the most versatile candidates for hat styling. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery notes that oval is considered the ideal face shape due to its harmonious proportions.
Recommended styles: Almost any hat style works, including the Squishee Bucket Hat with its mid-size brim that sits comfortably without elongating the face.
Round Face Shape
Round faces benefit from angular, asymmetrical designs that create vertical lines and add definition.
Recommended styles: The Squishee Bayou Fedora Hat with its structured crown and angled brim helps elongate the face and create visual structure.
Square Face Shape
Angular jawlines and broad foreheads are softened by hats with curved lines and contrast details.
Recommended styles: The Sea La Vie Fedora with contrast striped dip brims provides the curved elements that harmoniously balance angular features.
Heart-Shaped Face
Characterized by a wider forehead and narrower chin, heart-shaped faces benefit from hats that add width at the jawline.
Recommended styles: The Phoenix Fedora with a moderate brim creates balance by drawing attention to the lower face.
Long Face Shape
Long or rectangular faces require hats that add horizontal emphasis rather than vertical height.
Recommended styles: Shorter brim hats like the Bow Cloche help create the illusion of a more balanced, proportionate face.
For more detailed informations check out our blog post "How to Choose a Hat for Every Face Shape"
2. Seasonal Hat Selection: Matching Materials to Climate
The right hat material can significantly impact both comfort and skin health throughout the year.
Use these guidelines to select the right hat for every moment:
Outdoor Events
For weddings, garden parties, or polo matches, elegant wide-brimmed hats provide both sun protection and formal sophistication.
Recommended styles: The Caroline offers classic elegance suitable for formal outdoor occasions.
Everyday and Casual Wear
Versatile, functional styles work seamlessly with various outfits and lifestyle needs.
Recommended styles: The Night Porter Cap blends effortlessly with casual wardrobes while providing practical coverage.
Travel and Active Wear
For travel, packable designs maintain their shape while fitting into luggage efficiently.
Recommended styles: The Bella Floppy hat offers packable convenience without sacrificing style.
3. Expert Tips for Wearing Hats with Confidence
1. Perfect Your Hat Positioning
Proper positioning enhances both comfort and appearance. Adjust the hat snugly but comfortably on your head, angling the brim to flatter your facial features and balance your overall silhouette.
2. Coordinate Your Hairstyle
Hair styling significantly impacts how a hat looks and feels:
- Wide-brimmed hats: Style hair down or in a low, loose bun
- Smaller hats and caps: Work well with updos, ponytails, or sleek styles
- Medium brims: Versatile with most hairstyles, including side-swept looks
3. Accessorize Mindfully
Balance is crucial when accessorizing with hats. Fashion stylists recommend the "less is more" approach, choose either statement earrings or a necklace, not both, to avoid visual competition with your headwear.
4. Consider Proportion and Scale
Your hat should be proportionate to your body frame. According to professional styling guidelines, those with petite frames should opt for smaller to medium brims, while those with taller or larger frames can carry wider, more dramatic styles.
5. Own Your Style with Confidence
Confidence transforms any outfit. Wear your Eric Javits hat with pride, maintaining good posture and a genuine smile to perfect your personal look.
4. Caring for Your Luxury Hat: Protecting Your Investment
Proper care extends the life of quality headwear and protects your investment.
The Textile Industry Affairs recommends specific care protocols for luxury materials.
Storage Best Practices
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
- Use a hat stand or hatbox to prevent misshaping and crushing
- Keep away from moisture to prevent mold and material degradation
- Maintain proper ventilation to preserve material integrity
Cleaning and Maintenance
- Always refer to manufacturer care instructions
- Use a gentle brush or soft cloth for regular dust removal
- Spot clean with appropriate cleaners for specific materials
- Professional cleaning recommended for delicate or heavily soiled hats
Travel Care
Many Eric Javits hats feature packable designs, but proper packing technique is essential:
- Cushion your hat with soft clothing items
- Place in the center of luggage, away from hard edges
- Consider a hat travel case for valuable pieces
- Allow hat to reshape naturally after unpacking
The Unique Eric Javits Advantage: Squishee® Technology
What sets Eric Javits apart is the proprietary Squishee® material—a revolutionary, patented fabric that combines the structure of straw with packable convenience.
Unlike traditional straw hats that crack or lose shape, Squishee® hats can be folded, packed, and restored to their original form, making them ideal for modern, travel-focused lifestyles.
This innovation represents decades of material science research and craftsmanship, positioning Eric Javits as a leader in functional luxury headwear.
Conclusion: Choosing and Wearing Hats
Choosing and wearing hats is both an art and a science, combining aesthetic principles with practical considerations like sun protection, material quality, and proper care.
By understanding your face shape, selecting appropriate materials for each season, and wearing your hat with confidence, you transform headwear from a simple accessory into a signature element of your personal style.
As you explore the world of Eric Javits designer hats, use this guide to find and treasure pieces that reflect your unique style, lifestyle needs, and commitment to quality.
Ready to discover your perfect hat?
Browse the full Eric Javits collection and find the style that completes your look.
FAQs About Choosing and Wearing Hats
How do I measure my head for the perfect hat fit?
Use a flexible measuring tape around your head about 1/8 inch above your ears and across your forehead where the hat will sit. Most Eric Javits hats are designed to fit head circumferences between 21.5 to 23 inches (small to large). If between sizes, size up for comfort.
Can I wear hats if I have short hair or a pixie cut?
Absolutely! Short hair works beautifully with hats, particularly structured styles like fedoras and cloches. The key is ensuring the hat sits properly on your head without sliding. Cloche styles and berets complement pixie cuts especially well by showcasing the neckline.
How do I keep my hat from flying off in windy conditions?
Look for hats with adjustable inner bands, chin straps, or elastic sizing. You can also use hat pins or fashion hat clips that attach to your hair. Many Eric Javits designs include sizing adjustments for a secure, customized fit.
Are wide-brimmed hats really necessary for sun protection?
Yes. Dermatologists recommend hats with at least a 3-inch brim all around for optimal sun protection. Wide brims provide approximately 2-3 times more protection than baseball caps, significantly reducing UV exposure to the face, neck, and ears.
How can I style a hat for work or professional settings?
Choose sophisticated, structured styles in neutral colors like classic fedoras, cloches, or berets. Pair with tailored clothing and keep accessories minimal. Remove the hat indoors in professional settings unless attending an event where hat wearing is customary, such as outdoor business functions or luncheons.
