5-Panel vs 6-Panel Hat: Differences and Use Cases
A 5-panel and 6-panel hat have subtle differences that can affect…
Even though the title of this article says the word “mature,” that doesn’t mean that we think you’re *whispers* O-L-D. No. If you liken yourself to a fine cheese or wine that has simply gotten better with age, we consider you aged to perfection.
The hat trends we’ll discuss are for the men who recognize that time and experience have left them with a few more lines next to their eyes, a little more weight around the middle, and a couple more silver hairs (or fewer hairs altogether).
If you find yourself with any or all of these characteristics and would like to refine your style with a hat or two, you are in the right place.
Wearing a hat isn’t just a young man’s game anymore, and there are plenty of ways to incorporate custom headwear into your wardrobe without feeling like you’re hitting a mid-life crisis.
That said, there are several ways to do it right… and ways you can do it wrong. We’re here to help you recognize the hat trends that work best for the prime years of your life.
The Right Trends
Let’s look at the types of hats you should wear to complement your style:
1. The Dad Hat
The Dad Hat is an obvious choice for mature men. It’s often confused with a baseball hat, but they’re not the same. A dad hat has some important elements, like a simple logo, comfy cotton material, and a six-panel design. Also, it has a well-worn appearance while remaining stylish and functional:
You can embellish your dad hat with logos or patches, opt for a custom embroidered hat, or keep it simple and understated. Oh, and one style tip that will make your arms look buff and your waist trim: pair the dad hat with a polo with tight armholes or a raglan-sleeve tee.
If you prefer a relaxed and laid-back appearance, pair the dad hat with a simple jeans-and-T-shirt ensemble. This gives you an effortless style perfect for running errands, hanging out with friends, or casual outings.
Don’t be scared to experiment with styles and colors. But if you’re not sure which colors to go for, play safe with neutral colors like navy, beige, or grey. These colors are versatile and will complement several outfits.
2. The Trilby
The Trilby is one of those classic hats that never seem to go out of style. Sometimes confused with the fedora, the notable difference between the two is that the trilby’s brim comes down in front:
Paired with a dark sport coat or a tailored suit, the trilby is a surefire way to look mature and responsible. This is perfect for business meetings, weddings, and other formal occasions.
Additionally, the Trilby goes exceptionally well with more casual styles like chinos and blazers. You can also pair it with a denim jacket and jeans combination for a laid-back yet stylish appearance.
If you’re going for Trilby, the excellent choices are materials like wool or tweed, which will last for years.
3. The Fedora
The Fedora hat is one of the most versatile fashion accessories for the older crowd. It’s just so darn classy!
You can find fedoras with different hat bands and accessories, and the width of the brim can change how you present yourself. A medium brim will give off an Indiana Jones or Humphrey Bogart vibe, while a narrow brim might lend itself more toward Frank Sinatra.
Any way you look at it, choose a dark, neutral tone and make sure it’s crushable, meaning that you can stuff it in your bag without damaging it.
4. The Panama Hat
The Panama Hat is a type of straw hat that is tightly woven and has a similar profile as the fedora:
Pair your Panama with light-colored linen suits, lightweight blazers, and fitted blue or navy blue shirts for a dapper look.
We call these hats the king of summer elegance for a reason. The wider brim provides ample sun protection. Plus, it’s beautiful and sophisticated. So, a Panama hat is your best bet for flaunting while sipping your icy margarita on a warm beach.
Even though this hat is known for beachfront leisure, steer clear of florals or Hawaiian print shirts. Instead, try to stick to small pops of color in the form of socks, scarves, or chunky glasses. This is to avoid overwhelming your outfit.
5. The Flat Cap
The Flat Cap (also known as the Cabbie or the Newsie) is another quintessential mature man hat. Think of the farmer from the movie “Babe” – the curved brim and slouchy back end is the ultimate in function and form:
The flat cap adds a dash of vintage charm to your outfits. To get the best looks, pair it with a smart casual ensemble.
For instance, you can pair it with a dark sport coat and a warm scarf. The flat cap is subtle in this case but completely rounds out the outfit and adds an extra dash of character.
Traditionally, flat caps came in tweed and wool, but now you can find them made from synthetic materials, vegan leather, traditional leather, cotton, and linen.
This diversity makes it easy to pick the suitable material for your style and weather conditions. For example, you can go for wool or tweed to keep your head warm in cooler months.
These materials also allow you to maintain that classic style. During warmer weather, lightweight materials like linen and cotton offer comfy and breathable options.
The Wrong Trends
Of course, for every hat that works to accentuate your distinguished appearance, there is one that works against it. For the love of all that is good and holy, stay away from the following hats. They don’t make you look younger – they just make you look like you’re trying to look younger. Do you see the difference?
1. Saggy Beanies
Saggy Beanies – you know, the ones that look like you’ve stashed a sleeping puppy in the back? They are never a good choice for headwear, no matter how many grey *eh hem* silver hairs you have.
If you want to wear a beanie, choose one that pulls down to slightly cover your ears, or even choose a fisherman-style beanie. Pretty much any beanie (other than novelty, brimmed, or hats with pompoms) looks better and more respectable than a saggy beanie.
2. Novelty Caps
Novelty Caps have a time and a place, but that time and place are not in your everyday wardrobe. Stay as far away as you can from caps with fake ears, fake hair, fake eyes, or anything lewd or obscene.
3. Backward Baseball Cap
Wearing your baseball cap backward is another tale-tell sign that you’re not worth the suspenders keeping your pants up. Don’t get us wrong – baseball cap styles look great on both novice and advanced players in life, but wearing it backward at your age is just wrong.
4. Bucket Hats
Lastly, bucket hat trends (especially those with bold colors) will do nothing for your reputation as a stately member of society. They look unkempt at the best of times, so if you’re going to wear them, save them for your next hiking or fishing trip.
Wrapping Up
There you have it! Adding a hat to your wardrobe at your age is simple and can really round out your outfits and overall vibe. Just pay attention to the right and wrong trends.
For example, choices like dad hats, Trilby, fedora, Panama, and flat caps, are considered excellent for your age. Conversely, be sure to avoid novelty caps and saggy beanies altogether.
Reserve your bucket hats for fishing or hiking trips only. You can also wear baseball caps, but make sure you don’t wear them backward.
Finally, make sure that when you’re shopping around, you pick something neutral-colored that fits your face and build well. Visit this article if you need some pointers in that area.
