Dad Hats aren’t just for dads! With their soft fit, comfy feel, and easily transportable design, these hats are a popular choice for anyone wanting some relaxing headwear. On top of that, Custom Dad Hats give you a hat choice that’s both fashionable and comfortable, a win-win for your Springfield, IL, wardrobe. We at Hat.Co take pride in our Custom Dad Hats, and can help you with everything from design to delivery.
No matter if you’re a novice hat designer or an old pro, we’re here to help. You can get a free quote online or dive into the design studio today.
On this page, we’ll outline what makes a dad hat a ‘dad hat’, factors to consider when deciding to customize a dad hat, pro tips to keep in mind while custimizing a dad hat, and frequently asked questions. You can navigate the page below:
- What Makes a Hat a “Dad Hat”
- Who Wears Dad Hats
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Custom Dad Hats
- How To Customize a Dad Hat
- Pro Tips for Dad Hat Custom Design
- Dad Hat FAQs
- Start Creating Your Dad Hat
We’re here and ready for your order – call us at (636) 926-2777 if we can be of any assistance
What Makes a Hat a “Dad Hat”?
Dad hats are a popular style of hat in Springfield, IL, as a result of their casual, easygoing feel and ease to maintain. They are a type of baseball cap with a more form-fitting top, and ordinarily with a visor that is just slightly curved. Most of the time, they are made of softer fibers, which is responsible for their trademark comfort.
Dad hats main features and design trends are:
- Unstructured crown
- Slightly curved bill
- Made with softer fabric
- Normally has a smaller, simpler logo
- If they have designs printed on them, sometimes they are deliberately faded
Who Wears Dad Hats (Besides Dads) in Springfield, IL?
In the 1990s, dad hats experienced their first boost and fall in modern culture, but in the mid-2010s, came back into style as a part of a celebrity-led resurgence, which is still going on even today. They got their name in the 1990s, after the men who were known for wearing them, but they’re a popular choice for everyone, from celebrities to everyday folks:
- Families in Springfield, IL, will wear custom dad hats for everyday use.
- Vacationers wear them at the beach, in the woods, and anywhere they go to relax.
- Teens enjoy dad hats as a way to show they’re cool without sacrificing comfort.
- Barbecuers wear dad hats for comfortable sun protection.
- Fishermen wear them when taking it easy and enjoying a peaceful day on the water.
- Golfers sometimes wear them for their leisurely sport.
- Musicians are known to wear custom dad hats to events.
- You can enjoy a dad hat as a way to give off a more relaxed vibe.
If you’re managing a business or running a project, you can use a custom dad hat to promote your brand in a low-key way, in a unique way that doesn’t compromise on fit or function.
The Pros and Cons of Custom Dad Hats
Dad hats work well in Springfield, IL, for day-to-day wearing, and customizing their design is easy, too. But while they have an unparalleled style and comfort combination, that doesn’t mean they’re always the right choice for your custom hat style. If you’re not sure if a dad hat is right or wrong for your project, consider these pros and cons below:
Custom Dad Hat Pros
- Unparalleled Comfort: Softer builds and materials make dad hats almost unrivaled in hat comfort.
- Transportability: Because they are more easily folded and bent without damaging them, they travel well and don’t require special packing.
- Lower Maintenance: The lack of structure in the crown makes dad hats simple to clean and maintain as well.
- Low-Key: They’re good choices for when you’re not looking to stand out or make a large statement.
Custom Dad Hat Cons
- Durability: Even though they transport easily, they tend to be a bit less durable.
- Logo Display: Large, bombastic designs or logos don’t have as much real estate to work with on dad hats.
- Looser Fit: Activities with a lot of movement are not good fits for dad hats – the looser fit makes it easier for them to fall off.
How To Customize a Dad Hat
Need help designing the ultimate custom dad hat? We’ve got you covered. Just use the below list to get an idea for the process:
- Decide Your Audience – The wearer should be the guiding force behind your design decisions.
- Figure Out When You Need Them – The sooner you need your hats, the less time you can spend on the logo and other customization options.
- Make Your Logo – Sometime’s it’s possible to work with an existing logo, if you already have one If not, you can always draw your own, or collaborate with professional designers.
- Pick a Logo Application Method – The four different techniques we use to add your logo onto your hat are screen printing, embroidery, DTF/heat transfer, and on patches.
- Pick Out Base Colors – Use the colors of the logo and pick out complimentary colors.
- Send In Your Order – at Hat.Co, you can either purchase directly through our online store or you can get a quote prior to sending in your order.
You can also customize other hat styles in this fashion, but depending on your purpose, you might want another hat style.
Pro Tips for Springfield, IL, Dad Hat Custom Design
While some parts of hat customization are applicable to any hat, the soft crown and looser fit are most well suited for subtler decorations. We’ve put together some pro tips to help you find the best fit for your custom dad hat.
Pro Tip 1: Use a Small and Simple Logo
- These hats are meant to be casual – their casual nature should be reflected in the logo.
- Larger logos can start to affect the dad hat’s flexibility, depending on the application method.
- Complex logos can lose their details when shrunk down and put on softer hats.
Pro Tip 2: Default to Embroidery
- Embroidery’s style is a great fit for dad hats, with retro feel to it.
- Embroidered logos are long lasting, but also don’t have a major impact on the dad hat’s pliability.
- A small patch can also work, but will affect the comfort more.
Pro Tip 3: Expect A Looser Fit
- Don’t automatically order a size down; the looser fit is intentional.
- This is done so that they rest easy on the heads of Springfield, IL, wearers.
- If they feel way too loose after arriving, you can normally tighten them using the strap in the back.
Springfield, IL, Custom Dad Hat Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve got answers for your dad hat questions. Check out the top Springfield, IL, custom dad hat FAQs below:
What’s the difference between a dad hat and a regular hat?
Baseball cap is sometimes used as a catch all, but they typically have a crown with structure to keep its shape, versus the form-fitting nature of the dad hat. Dad hats’ visors are also less curved than a typical baseball cap.
Are dad hats good for big heads?
People with big and tall heads often really like dad hats, due to their looser fit. Dad hats avoid the headaches from other hat styles’ tightness, and ordinarilly have an adjustable size strap.
Do hats get looser over time?
Actually, they often get a bit tigther – over time, with exposure to the Springfield, IL, elements and washing, hats normally tighten a bit over time. They do typically loosen up a bit when you first break them in, though.
How can I make a dad hat smaller?
Shrinking a dad hat requires two ingredients: heat and water. The first method we recommend you try is to carefully soak the hat, then leave it out to dry somewhere that’s warm. Another is to gently steam it.
What should I wear with my dad hat?
Keep it casual with your outfit to compliment your dad hat. We recommend keeping it simple with a t-shirt and jeans. For the ultimate outfit combo, you can get a custom shirt to match.
Are dad hats still cool?
Absolutely! Being comfortable never goes out of style, and you can see this in how many people wear dad hats today. The casual nature fits all types of people and settings.
Did we miss anything on this FAQ? Check out our top 10 custom hat FAQs for more answers.
Start Customizing Your Springfield, IL, Dad Hat
When you’re ready to make your Springfield, IL custom dad hat, Hat.Co is ready to help. We don’t stop at dad hats, though – you can pick from a wide variety of makes, models, and styles to find one that is perfect for you. Our custom hat services are industry-leading and at your fingertips.
From design to delivery, we’re at your side, and are ready to get started on your order today. Start designing your custom dad hat online, get in touch at (636) 926-2777, or get a quote today to get started.