The Suffolk Fedora
Dark Brown (Bronze Feather)
£115.00
A timeless Hicks & Brown favourite, The Suffolk Fedora is a classic country style designed to be worn season after season. Crafted... Continue reading
Best Seller
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Finding a hat that suits you can feel a little daunting, particularly if you’re not someone who regularly wears one. Perhaps you’ve tried hats before and decided they simply “don’t suit you”, or you love the idea of wearing one but aren’t quite sure where to begin.
The good news is that there really is a hat for everyone. The secret is finding the right balance of shape, proportion, colour and, importantly, fit.
Having designed and sold hats for over a decade, we’ve helped thousands of customers find a style they feel comfortable and confident wearing. Here, we share our advice on how to choose a hat that suits you – and one you’ll enjoy wearing for years to come.
Face shape can be a useful starting point when choosing a hat, although we certainly don’t believe in strict rules. How you feel wearing a hat is far more important.
Round faces often suit hats that add a little height and definition. A Fedora with a defined crown and medium-width brim can help elongate the face and create balance.
Oval faces tend to suit a wide variety of hat shapes, from classic Fedoras and Trilbys to wider brims. This gives you plenty of freedom to be led by your personal style.
Square faces can be beautifully complemented by hats with slightly softer lines. A Fedora with a gently curved brim provides a lovely contrast to a more defined jawline.
Heart-shaped faces tend to be wider across the forehead and narrower towards the chin. Medium brims work particularly well, helping to balance these proportions without overwhelming the face.
Long or rectangular faces can suit medium or wider brims, which help create horizontal balance. A lower crown can also be flattering compared with a particularly tall style.
Most importantly, treat these as helpful pointers rather than rules. We have fitted so many hats over the years and the style someone thinks they should wear isn’t always the one they fall in love with.
A hat doesn’t sit in isolation – it becomes part of your overall silhouette. Your height and frame, the width of the brim and even the clothes you wear with it all contribute to how it looks.
If you’re petite, you may initially feel more comfortable in a classic medium-width brim rather than an oversized style. Taller customers, or those who naturally gravitate towards statement accessories, can often carry a wider brim beautifully.
Again, these aren’t hard and fast rules. Use proportion as a starting point, then try different shapes and see what feels right.
The style you choose will make perhaps the biggest difference to the overall look of your hat.
For first-time hat wearers, we often suggest starting with a classic Fedora. It’s an incredibly versatile shape that can be dressed up or down and doesn’t need a special occasion to be worn.
A Trilby has a narrower brim and traditionally feels a little smarter, while a wide-brim Fedora creates more of a statement and can look particularly elegant with a simple outfit.
If you’re unsure of the difference, our Fedora vs Trilby guide explains the characteristics of each style in more detail.
Colour is one of the first things we advise customers to consider – particularly when investing in their first hat.
Rather than simply asking “Which hat colour suits me?”, take a look inside your wardrobe. Which colours do you wear most often?
If your wardrobe is predominantly camel, cream, khaki, brown and navy, choosing a hat from the same palette means it will naturally work with clothes you already own.
For a first hat, versatile neutrals such as brown, taupe, camel, navy or black are often a very good investment. Your hat doesn’t need to match your outfit exactly, either. We often prefer a tonal approach – a dark brown Fedora with camel or olive outerwear, for example, or a softer taupe worn with darker winter layers.
Alice & Rosie’s tip: "Think about the coat or jacket you wear most often. If your new hat works beautifully with that, there’s a very good chance you’ll wear it regularly".
DON'T FORGET YOUR HAIR
How you usually wear your hair can change the overall look of a hat, too.
Long, loose hair creates softness around the face and works beautifully with Fedoras and wider brims, while shorter hairstyles can make the shape of the hat more prominent.
If you usually wear your hair tied back, try a low ponytail or bun so your hat can sit comfortably in the correct position.
Most importantly, try your hat with your hair the way you’ll actually wear it.
THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU'LL WEAR YOUR HAT
Before choosing a hat, consider what you actually want it for.
For everyday wear, versatility is key. A classic wool felt Fedora in a neutral colour can take you from a country walk or the school run to lunch or an outdoor event.
For smarter occasions, a Trilby, wider-brim Fedora or formal hat can add more structure and polish. During warmer months, lightweight materials such as straw offer an effortless way to finish an outfit while being more suited to the season.
And if you’re buying a hat for a particular event, consider how you might wear it afterwards too. The best hat is one that earns its place in your wardrobe.
GETTING THE FIT RIGHT
Even the most flattering hat won’t feel right if the size is wrong.
A properly fitting hat should feel secure without creating uncomfortable pressure. It shouldn’t leave a deep mark on your forehead, but equally it shouldn’t move excessively when you walk.
A Fedora should sit comfortably on the crown of your head, with the front of the brim sitting just above your eyebrows. Wear it straight for a classic look.
For step-by-step instructions on measuring your head and finding your correct size, visit our Hat Sizing Guide.
We hear this all the time.
Usually, it doesn’t mean hats don’t suit someone. It simply means they haven’t found the right one yet – or they aren’t accustomed to seeing themselves wearing one.
If you’re new to hats, keep things simple. Start with a classic shape and a colour already found in your wardrobe. Put the hat on properly rather than tentatively perching it on the back of your head, and give yourself a little time to get used to seeing yourself in it.
A Fedora is often our recommendation for a first-time wearer because it feels relaxed enough for everyday life while still transforming even the simplest outfit.
Once you stop feeling as though you’re “wearing a hat” and simply see it as part of your outfit, everything changes.
If we were helping you choose your very first hat, we would keep it simple: choose a classic, versatile shape, pick a colour that already works with your wardrobe and make sure the fit is right.
Most importantly, choose the hat you genuinely feel good wearing.
Trends will come and go, but a beautifully made hat in a timeless shape can remain part of your wardrobe for years.
At Hicks & Brown, hats have been at the heart of what we do since we founded the brand in 2014. Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of customers find their perfect style, from those buying their very first Fedora to lifelong hat wearers adding another to their collection.
Explore our collection of hats or get in touch with our team for personalised advice.
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