A shared vocabulary of hat styles makes planning a range and briefing a manufacturer far easier. Here is a reference to the main hat styles, with notes on materials and seasons, for brands building a hat range.
Brimmed styles
Wide brim and floppy hats make a statement and suit summer and resort ranges, often in straw, raffia or felt depending on the season. The brim width and material set the look, from a relaxed beach hat to a structured wide-brim fedora.
Structured styles
Fedoras, trilbies and panama hats are structured styles with defined crowns and brims, reading as considered and classic. Felt suits cooler seasons; panama and straw suit warmer ones. These styles anchor a more elevated hat range.
Casual styles
Bucket hats and packable styles are the casual workhorses, hugely popular and highly customisable, in cotton, corduroy, terry and technical fabrics. They suit youth and fashion brands and are a natural private label starting point.
Seasonal considerations
Plan styles to the season, straws and buckets for summer, felts and structured styles for winter. A balanced hat range spans both. Engelite manufactures all these styles for Australian brands. Tell us your range and we will help you choose and build the right mix.