We here at Levine Hat consider ourselves hat experts. We've been in the hat business for over 100 years now, so we've had plenty of time to gain that knowledge! We love sharing our knowledge and passion for hats with everyone that shops with us. This week, we decided to share with you some easy steps to take to up your hat game, whether it's through hat knowledge or just changing the look of your hat.
Here's the list of 7 Ways to Step Up Your Hat Game:
7. Accessorize
Hat accessories are the best way to take an old hat you have and give it a completely different look. This could include adding a feather, a hat pin and changing your hat band. All three of these you can change in under five minutes, and everyone will think you have a completely different hat! Get several of each and you'll have yourself several different looks with one hat.
6. Take Care of Your Hats
Not enough can be said about caring for your hats. A good hat will last you years if you take care of it.
Clean your felt hats regularly using a soft bristle brush or a hat sponge. Chemically treated hat sponges are available, and work especially well for fine-grain felts. Brush counter clockwise with the nap, starting at the bow.
Always handle your hats by the brim. Picking your hat up by the crown will hurt its shape, and may even damage the felt. As with straw hats, handling your straw hat by the pinch will eventually cause it to crack.
Never rest your hat on its brim. Always turn it upside down and set it on the crown, so that the brim doesn't flatten out. Even better is to store your hat in its proper hat box.
5. Try New Styles
Don't get stuck in the rut of always wearing the same hat or style of hat. Change it up. Even subtle changes like switching from a baseball cap to an army cap can make a difference.
Here's a few other changes you should try:
Homburg to Derby | Bucket hat to Fedora | Newsboy to Ivy
Be sure to also keep up with the seasons! there's a general rule to this:
You start wearing straw hats May 15th and felt hats September 15th
4. Learn about Hat History
If you want to consider yourself a hat person, you're going to have to stand your ground when you talk to other hat people. Know your stuff.
A helpful link to get you started: Hat History
3. Know Materials Hats Are Made of
You know there's straw hats and felt hats, but those are generalities. What type of straw? What type of felt? This goes for caps as well.
Knowing the materials will help you pick the hat or cap that is right for the season. It will also allow you to know what types of materials you like in hats and which you want to stay away from.
Some helpful links to learn about materials hats are made of: Our Hat Glossary | Hat Guide's Hat Material Info
2. Know Hat Etiquette
While hat etiquette isn't looked at in the same way it used to, it's still important to follow proper etiquette in many situations.
We have a helpful write up about hat etiquette you can read: Hat Etiquette
1. Know Hat Terminology
This is the most important thing to know if you want to consider yourself a hat person. Knowing the right terminology will help you be able to narrow down specifics on exactly what you want out of a hat. Additionally, if you don't know basic terms, then you'll be lost when speaking with other hat people and the folks at your local hat shop.
Here's a great link from someone over at The Fedora Lounge to help you get up to speed with your terminology: Hat Terminology
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This list should get you started on your way to becoming a hat expert. Much with anything, there's always something new to learn, so staying up to date is key. Stay tuned to the Levine Hat Blog and you'll never miss a beat.
Other helpful links
This list will only get you started on your journey, so here's a couple of other helpful links to get you on your way.
The Fedora Lounge - this is an incredible resource for all things hats. Additionally, you'll get to talk to other hat people!
HatHistory.org - awesome site to learn more about the history of a few brands and style of hats.
The Hatted Professor - blog by a gentleman giving a detailed look at some hat history.
Our FHQ - "Frequent Hat Questions" We here at Levine Hat take a few minutes each week to post some Q+A for those who need a little extra hat info.
Until next time!
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