Step Up Your Hat Game: The Importance of Choosing the Right Hat for Your Face Shape
Hi there! I’m Sophie, the owner of Imogen’s Imagination and I’m so excited to share some of my tips and tricks to help you choose the right hat for your face shape.
Whether you’re looking for a statement piece for a wedding, or just want to add a touch of sophistication to your everyday look, knowing your face shape will help me to guide you… and find the perfect hat just for you!
First things first, let’s find out what shape your face is!
This is a vital step in determining the most flattering hat style for you. We’ve got to start with the key bits of information, so get ready for some information rich reading! Then we’ll move on to talk about how I can help you create your perfect hat.
Discover Your Face Shape: The Key to Finding the Perfect Hat
To determine your face shape, you’ll want to grab a tape measure, stand in front of a mirror and measure the width and length of your face. Don’t forget to hold back your fringe if you have one.
Write down the measurements and compare them to the following face shapes.
Sophie’s Top Tip: Don’t have a tape measure? Don’t worry! Simply use an eye-liner or lip-liner to draw the outline of your face on the mirror – use something non-permanent obviously!
- Round: Cheekbones and face length have a similar measurement, with a wider forehead and round chin.
- Square: Prominent jaw and forehead, with a square chin. Cheekbones and face length are roughly the same.
- Heart: Widest at the temples and forehead, narrowing at the jaw and chin to a point.
- Oval: Face length is greater than the width of the cheekbones, and forehead is slightly wider than the jaw.
- Oblong: Similar to oval, but with a longer face length.
Once you’ve got to know your features, you’re ready to move on to the next step… choosing the right hat for your face shape!
Flatter Your Face Shape: The Best Hat Styles for Round, Oval, Square, Heart, and More
Hats for Round Faces
If you have a round face, you have a rounded chin and forehead with similar widths.
The rule of thumb here is to choose hats that help your face appear longer. Choose hats with a high crown and a narrow brim. Any hat that has long lines, slopes away from the face or that adds height in general is going to be a fantastic choice for you.
Sophie’s Top Tip: Consider hats with feathers. These add instant height and movement to a hat… they don’t even have to be real feathers! I have made designs with silk or felt “feathers”.
Hats for Square Faces
If you have a square face, you have a strong jawline and forehead with similar widths.
To soften the angles of your face, choose hats with a round or oval crown and a wider brim. Tilt the brim down slightly to add a touch of femininity. A birdcage veil will also help soften your face shape. Asymmetry works if you have a square face shape, but try to avoid long straight lines and choose hats that will soften your look.
Sophie’s Top Tip: Consider a birdcage veil. This will help to soften strong facial features and lines.
Hats for Heart Faces
If you have a wide forehead and a narrow, pointy chin then you have a heart shape face.
Almost all styles of hats will suit your face but try to avoid very small hats or fascinators as these will accentuate your forehead and make it appear wider. If the top of your face is hidden by an extra wide brim, this can also highlight your chin. Aim for mid-size brims and asymmetric styles to make the most of your features.
Sophie’s Fun Fact: All these boaters have the same width of brim. Changing the crown size alters the length of the brim and can offer suitable opportunities for different face shapes.
Hats for Oval Faces
If you have an oval face, you have a forehead that is slightly wider than your chin and cheekbones that are slightly wider than your forehead.
You’re in luck! Almost any hat style will look great on an oval face. Try experimenting with different styles and see what you like best! Don’t limit yourself and try everything – after all, isn’t that the fun of it!?
Sophie’s Top Tip: Consider your height. If you are very tall, wide brimmed hats can offer balance, however, if you are petite, they may “squish” you.
Hats for Oblong Faces
Do you have an oblong face shape? Oblong faces are versatile, much like an oval face shape, and can suit a variety of hat styles.
To balance out your face, you can opt for wide brimmed hats or hats with a lot of volume on top. Just remember to keep the proportions in mind. If the hat is too big, it will elongate your face even more. And if it’s too small, it will look out of proportion. Try different styles and find what works best for you!
Where Should You Wear Your Hat – Left or Right Side? It Doesn’t Matter!
When it comes to wearing a hat, there’s no hard and fast rule about which side it should sit on. Traditionally, women’s hats are made to be worn to the right of the head (for very archaic reasons – which are not relevant to this blog!). Because of this, most hat manufacturers design to this side, so this limits the choices commonly available in high street shops – and so continues this practice.
However, nowadays, It’s all about personal preference, comfort and what flatters your hair style best. So when you choose the right hat for your face shape, it’s also worth taking into account the features of your hair style too; long or short, fringe or not and even whether you will wear your hair up.
That’s why some people like to wear their hats to the left, while others prefer the right. There’s even the option of dead centre, which has been a huge trend on the Australian racing scene in recent years.
Where possible, I try to design hats that can be worn to either side. Naturally, if you are having a bespoke hat made, this is always a decision that is fully explored at your consultation.
The most important thing is to wear the hat in a way that feels natural and makes you feel confident and comfortable. So don’t worry about any old-fashioned etiquette rules. Just choose the side that works best for you and enjoy your stylish accessory!
Sophie’s Top Tip: My general advice to wear the hat on the same side as your parting. This allows more hair for styling and can balance the the overall look… although this isn’t a hard and fast rule! (In the studio with clients, I will often ask the client to try wearing a design on both sides – just to make sure we have the right one for them!)
Add a Personal Touch: Discover Imogen’s Imagination’s Handmade Designs
Now that you know how to choose the right hat for your face shape it’s time to start the fun part. Shopping!
I’ve got to tell you, you’re in for a treat because at Imogen’s Imagination, I have a range of ready-to-wear designs that are just perfect for those special occasions. From chic and sophisticated pieces to fun and frivolous designs, there’s something for everyone.
But why settle for “good” when you can go for something truly extraordinary? That’s why I offer bespoke millinery services, so you can create a one-of-a-kind piece that is tailored to your unique style, needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a hat for a wedding, a day at the races or just for fun, I’m here to work with you and create the perfect piece. So why wait? Give me a call, or drop me a message and let’s get you looking fabulous!
Bespoke Beauty: Create Your Own Unique Hat with Imogen’s Imagination
So, if you’re looking for something truly unique and special, you’ve come to the right place! I’m Sophie Cooke, the owner of Imogen’s Imagination, and I have a passion for creating bespoke millinery pieces that are both beautiful and functional.
At my Sheffield studio, I work one-on-one with my clients to design and create hats and hair accessories that perfectly match their style, needs and occasion. And yes, we will work together to choose the right hat for your face shape!
Whether you’re a bride-to-be looking for the perfect headpiece for your special day, a Mother of the Bride or Groom, searching for the perfect accessory, or just someone who wants to stand out from the crowd, I’ve got you covered.
Booking a bespoke appointment with me is easy. Simply fill out my booking form on my website and choose a time that works for you.
During the appointment, we’ll chat about your ideas, colour preferences, fabric choices and more. I’ll provide you with expert advice and guidance, and I’ll work with you to create a piece that you’ll love and wear for years to come.
So why wait? Let’s work together to create something truly special and unique. Book your appointment today!
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If you’ve enjoyed reading this blog, you can find more of my helpful tips to find the right hat for you below.
