Father’s Day Hat Ideas for 2019

Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June, so it’s just around the bend. Start looking for those pocket squares, watches, neckties, and custom hats (our personal favorite) for that special father figure in your life.

A Brief History

You might not know it, but for a day devoted to dear old dad, there is a surprising amount of controversy enmeshed in this holiday’s history.

The first documented citywide Father’s Day was held in 1910, but it did not become an official U.S. holiday until Richard Nixon came into office in 1972. It started as a counter-holiday to Mother’s Day, which was picked up quickly by retailers and gained national approval in a very short time.

As hard as Father’s Day advocates tried to get their own holiday going, it took longer to catch on because the general populous viewed men as being less affected by trinkets and small tokens of affection than women were. This made it a harder holiday to market, especially because people considered the holiday ironic due to family members buying gear for their fathers using the dad’s hard-earned cash.

Interestingly, in the ‘20s and ‘30s, there was a push to get rid of both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and consolidate the two holidays into a single “Parent’s Day.” Once the Great Depression hit, however, marketers were willing to do anything to make a little extra cash, so they pushed harder than ever to keep the two holidays separate.

Hats for Dads

So here we are approaching Father’s Day 2019, and you may be looking to move out of the box and get your dad a gift with some flair—like a custom hat. Many hats, including dad hats, trucker hats, snapbacks, five-panel hats, bucket hats (for the fishing, hiking, and gardening lover), and beanies are completely customizable. You can choose the color, fabric, logo, and size for the perfect gift. You could have the hat embroidered with your dad’s favorite saying or nickname.

Accessories

If you’re looking to go another route and would like to help your dad keep his existing hat collection looking fresh, you can always give him hat accessories.

• Feathers: Feathers can add a colorful touch to any fedora or cowboy hat. The sky is the limit as far as colors, textures, and designs go, and many feather suppliers will mix and layer colored feathers to get a unique, eye-catching look.
• Hat Pins: These little bits of bling present the perfect way to add a pop of color. Pins come in every shape and metal imaginable – from whimsical designs like paint palettes and partially melted pizza slices, to more abstract blocks of color in geometric shapes.
• Hat Patches: Patches are a fantastic addition to any bucket hat to give it a customized look that perfectly fits your pop.
• Hat Bands: Hat bands are yet another way to add some variety to your dad’s favorite hat. They come in many different colors and patterns and are usually made of leather, suede, ribbon, or fabric.

Hat Maintenance

Yet another option for a Father’s Day gift this year is to supply your dad with tools to keep his hat collection looking good for years to come. This avenue is truly the gift that keeps on giving and is sure to be appreciated.

• Brushes: Hat brushes are an excellent way to keep dirt and debris off of your dad’s favorite hats. They have the added bonus of revitalizing the hat material so that the cap stays looking new or, at least, aging gracefully. There are a few different options of hat brush, so be sure that you do your homework before you go out and make a purchase.
• • For felt hats, look for a dark brush for darker hats and light-bristled brush for lighter colored hats. Felt hats need soft bristles, so be sure to keep that in mind. When your dad is cleaning his hat, have him brush counterclockwise across the outside and inside of his felt hat. Be sure to finish off the cleaning by applying an even layer of felt hat surface protector to keep off water and stains.
  • Suede hats, on the other hand, need a slightly stiffer brush and may even require some very fine grit sandpaper to remove some of the debris. A suede eraser is another helpful accessory because it can lift off some of the more set-in stains without damaging the suede. If your dad’s hat has gone a little too long without a cleaning and has some deep sweat or oil marks, impress your pop by helping him clean his suede cap. You can do this by softly rubbing in a solution of 15 parts warm water to one part baby shampoo using his suede brush. Once he’s done, all he has to do is shake off the excess water, hang it to dry, and steam it to reshape it as necessary.
• Hat Care Kit: These kits are the all-in-one gift for any hat lover. They typically come with rain and stain repellant, a hat brush, cleaning sponge, hat cover, and hat rest. This kit will be your dad’s go-to stop to keep his hats in prime condition.

Hat Preservation

Last, but not least, another gift for Father’s Day is to help your dad preserve his growing hat collection. Hat boxes of all shapes and sizes will keep his hats safe from harm during any long trips he may have to take. If he stays a little closer to home, a hat rack or tabletop hat holder will be a welcome gift that will keep his hats clean, safe, and out of the way.

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