Hat Trends for Mature Men

Even though the title of this article says the word “mature,” that doesn’t mean that we think that 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 hats we will be discussing 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 ‘round the middle, and a couple more silver hairs (or fewer hairs altogether).

If you find yourself with any or all of these characteristics, and you 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 ways that you can 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 Rights

• The Dad Hat is an obvious choice for mature men. It has a well-worn appearance while still remaining stylish and functional. You can embellish it 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.
• The Trilby is one of those classic hats that never seems 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.
• The Fedora is probably one of the most versatile hats for the older crowd. It’s just so darn classy! You can find fedoras with different hatbands and accessories, and the width of the brim can really change how you present yourself. A medium brim will give you an Indiana Jones or Humphrey Bogart vibe, while a small brim might lend itself more toward Frank Sinatra. Any way you look at it, choose a dark, neutral color and make sure that it’s crushable, meaning that you can stuff it in your bag without damaging it.
• The Panama Hat is a type of straw hat that is tightly woven and has a similar profile as the fedora. The panama hat works perfectly with a light-colored linen suit or fitted blue or navy shirt. Even though this hat is known for beachfront leisure, steer clear of florals or Hawaiian print shirts, and try to stick to small pops of color in the form of socks, scarves, or chunky glasses.
• The Flat Cap (also known as the Cabbie or the Newsie) is another quintessential mature man hat. Think the farmer from the movie “Babe” – the curved brim and slouchy back end is the ultimate in function and form. Paired with a dark sport coat and warm scarf, the flat cap is subtle but completely rounds out an outfit. 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.

The Wrongs

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?

• 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 ones, brimmed ones, or hats with pompoms) looks better and more respectable than a saggy beanie.
• Novelty Caps have a time and a place, but that time and place is 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.
• Wearing your baseball cap backwards is another tale-tell sign that you’re not worth the suspenders keeping your pants up. Don’t get us wrong – baseball caps look great on both the novice and advanced players in life, but wearing it backwards at your age is just wrong.
• Lastly, bucket hats (especially brightly colored ones) 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 fishing or hiking trip.

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 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.

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