It’s a natural thing to find a good-looking hat, especially if you are a man. There are so many hats to choose from, but at the end of the day, we all want a hat that will also fit our personal style.
Have you been searching for a hat that’s more fashionable than most ordinary caps? If that’s the case, then you should consider the pork pie hat as a new addition to your wardrobe. Pork pies are one of the best men’s hats to wear. Not only is it functional, but it can also make a bold statement to your whole outfit.
How to Wear a Pork Pie Hat
So, what is a pork pie hat? Pork pies, also called the English pastry hat or porkie hats, are like the close cousins of the Fedoras. Both hats share the same features, such as its flat crown and narrow brim. However, pork pies have shorter crowns and brims.
Why is it called a pork pie hat? Interesting question. The answer is simply because it looks like the traditional English pork pie. The hat was also designed with a telescopic crown and a slight lip around the upper edge of the crown.
Here’s a quick history of pork pie hat for you: These hats have been in the scene since the 1830s. Just like Fedoras, they were first popularly known as women’s hats before they were adopted by men in the 1920s. The rest is history, but that’s another story to tell.
Heisenberg also demonstrated that the best way to wear a porkpie is to directly place it on top of the head at the sitting level. However, there are other rules that you need to follow to wear this hat correctly and avoid making a bad impression.
Read further to be guided on some basic general tips on how to wear a pork pie hat:
Know your head size
This may sound self-explanatory, but this is the first step to finding the right hat for you. Not to mention, it is also one of the most important factors when looking for any type of hat. If shoes and clothing pieces have sizes, then hats shouldn’t make any difference.
Your head size will never change, so you can only measure this once, unlike other clothing pieces. You can do this by measuring your head with a tape measure in centimeters. Place it where your hat is, which is around your head, and you’re done. You can also ask for assistance to make it easier for you.
Consider your face shape
Pork pies look best on oval and long faces. If you have a round and square face, we hate to break it to you, but this hat will certainly not look good on you.
The rule of thumb here is that the brim of your hat should be wider than your jawline. So if you have a round face or wide jawline, this explains why the pork pie hat will not look great on you. Unlike having a long or oval face, the pork pie cap will help even out your facial features.
Consider your body proportions
This is also an excellent hat if you are a tall guy. Unlike Trilbies or Fedoras, pork pies are shorter in the crown so that they won’t add any more height. Otherwise, you’ll look taller! Your pork pie cap should also sit about 0.7-1 inches above your eyebrows if you have a short or oval face.
Try a variety of styles
The amazing thing about porkie pie hats is that they can be worn with different outfits and styles. From casual fabrics to loose clothing to urban outfits, a pork pie can make a huge statement.
When wearing loose clothing, we recommend wearing your hat a little further on the back of your head. Pork pies can also make a perfect beach hat. You can pair a straw pork pie hat with a loose Hawaiian shirt to get that easy breezy summer look.
Another style that you can try is the classic urban look. To do this, you can wear a wool or felt pork pie hat with a slim fitting black suit. Wear it with a smart blazer, light-colored chinos, or a preppy button-down collar shirt. Black on black or neutral colored outfits will look stylish on this type of hat.
For another casual look, you can wear it with straight-cut jeans, a cardigan, and a white shirt to pull it all off. Don’t forget your shoes, as well! For smart-casual events, wear it with a decent pair of wingtip brogues or tasseled loafers. A pair of suede brogues is another option if you prefer to dress down.
Wear it with confidence
This last but definitely not the least advice may sound cheesy and cliche, but it’s true. Confidence is key! Some men are reluctant to wear hats because they fear that they’ll look out of place, or they are conscious of what people will say and think. However, you shouldn’t let this fear stop you from wearing a pork pie.
You may be wearing the latest trends or designer clothes and items, but without confidence, your whole outfit can still be dull. As the lyrics from the Broadway musical Annie goes, “you’re never fully dressed without a smile.” So go ahead and flaunt that pork pie hat of yours.
Confidence is also contagious. If you wear your hat proudly, you can make people turn their heads and even buy the hat you’re wearing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
A pork pie hat is characterized by a low circular crease, also known as the telescope crown, a flat top, and a short, flexible brim. A Fedora, on the other hand, is a low soft felt hat with the crown creased lengthwise. The Fedora’s brim can be worn by being up all the way around the hat or it can point up in the back and shaped down in the front.
Anyone with a long, short or oval-shaped face can easily pull off a pork pie hat. However, if you have either a square or round face, then a pork pie is something you should avoid. Moreover, this hat has a shorter crown than either a fedora or a trilby. Hence, it is ideal if you’re quite tall and not looking to add any more height.
The pork pie hat (also known as the English pastry hat) derived its name from its resemblance to the traditional English meat pie – thanks to its telescoped crown, which features a slight lip around the crown’s upper edge.