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. What’s more, Custom Dad Hats are a popular choice to combine style and comfort, giving you the best of both worlds. At Hat.Co, with our wide selection of over a dozen models and expert logo design assistance, you can turn your Custom Dad Hat dreams into a reality.
Whether you’re just getting started in the design process or you’re already ready to put your logo on fabric, we’re here to help. You can get a free quote online or dive into the design studio today.
On this page, we’ll talk about the defining characteristics of dad hats, the advantages of customizing dad hats, how to do so, and frequently asked questions. You can jump ahead using these links:
- What Are Dad Hats
- Who Wears Dad Hats
- Pros and Cons of Custom Dad Hats
- How To Customize a Dad Hat
- Pro Tips for Dad Hat Custom Design
- Dad Hat FAQs
- Start Customizing Your Dad Hat
If you have any questions or need any help, call now at (636) 926-2777.
What Are Dad Hats?
Dad hats are a popular style of hat known for their coziness and flexibility. They are a type of baseball cap without any structure in the crown, and typically with a visor that is just slightly curved. They’re also typically made of softer materials to enhance comfort.
Dad hats main features and design trends are:
- Unstructured crown
- Gently curved bill
- Made with softer fabric
- Often features a simple design
- Designs are sometimes intentionally faded or distressed
Who Wears Dad Hats (Besides Dads)?
Dad hats had a boom and fall in popularity during the 1990s, but in the mid-2010s, came back into style as a part of a celebrity-led resurgence, which is still going on to this day. While they are named for the middle-aged men who tended to wear them in the 90s, they’re great fits for people of all ages and walks of life today:
- Families like to make custom dad hats for gatherings.
- Vacationers wear them at the beach, in the woods, and anywhere they go to relax.
- Teens will sport dad hats while out on weekends.
- Barbecuers wear dad hats for comfortable sun protection.
- Fishermen will sometimes wear dad hats for low-intensity outings.
- Golfers sometimes wear them for their leisurely sport.
- Musicians, particularly hip-hop stars, frequently wear dad hats, contributing to their recent resurgence.
- Anyone can enjoy a dad hat as a way to give off a more relaxed vibe.
A custom dad hat is a great way to represent yourself or your brand in a low-key way, and could easily become your new favorite hat for daily use.
The Pros and Cons of Custom Dad Hats
Dad hats are great hats for everyday wear, and are easy to customize, too. But just because they’re comfortable doesn’t mean that they’re right for everyone and every event. If you’re undecided on whether you want to customize a dad hat or another style, check out these pros and cons below:
Custom Dad Hat Pros
- Unparalleled Comfort: Softer builds and materials make dad hats almost unrivaled in hat comfort.
- Easy to pack and transport: Because they can be partially rolled up without being damaged, they don’t take up much space.
- Lower Maintenance: Dad hats are easier to clean and maintain because of the unstructured crown.
- Low-Key: They’re great for family events or other relaxed gatherings.
Custom Dad Hat Cons
- Durability: Even though they transport easily, they tend to be a bit less durable.
- Logo Display: The lack of structure in the crown isn’t the best for logo display.
- Looser Fit: With a looser fit, dad hats are more prone to falling off during activity.
How To Customize a Dad Hat
Are you looking to create the ultimate custom dad hat? We’ve got you covered. Just follow the steps below to get started:
- Decide Your Audience – The wearer should be the guiding force behind your design decisions.
- Establish Your Timeline – The sooner you need your hats, the less time you can spend on the logo and other customization options.
- Make Your Logo – If you have an existing logo, that’s great! If not, you can create one yourself or work with professional designers.
- Pick a Logo Application Method – The main ways to get your logo on your hat are screen printing, embroidery, DTF/heat transfer, and on patches.
- Decide on Base Colors – Since you already know the colors of your logo, pick something that will complement it.
- Send In Your Order – at Hat.Co, you can either purchase directly through our online store or get a quote before sending in your order.
You can also customize other hat styles in a similar way, but different hat styles will be suitable for different occasions.
Pro Tips for Dad Hat Custom Design
While some parts of custom hat design apply to any style, the soft crown and looser fit can benefit from subtler decorations. We’ve put together some pro tips for you to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your custom hat.
Pro Tip 1: Use a Small and Simple Logo
- Dad hats aren’t meant to be loud – their focus on comfort should carry over into your 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 works best for dad hat logos because of its classic look to fit an old-school style.
- Embroidered logos also strike a great balance between flexibility and durability.
- A small patch can also work, but limits the dad hat’s trademark elasticity.
Pro Tip 3: Expect A Looser Fit
- Don’t automatically order a size down; the looser fit is intentional.
- They’re designed this way to make them more comfortable.
- Typically, dad hats can still be tightened if you want them to be more snug.
Custom Dad Hat Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions, and Hat.Co has answers. Check out the top custom dad hat FAQs below:
What’s the difference between a dad hat and a regular hat?
A regular baseball cap has more structure in the crown, versus the form-fitting nature of an unstructured dad hat. Dad hats also typically have less of a curve in the bill, though they’re not completely flat.
Are dad hats good for big heads?
Dad hats tend to be great fits for big heads, due to their looser nature. They are less likely to squeeze a larger head, and normally have an adjustable size strap.
Do hats get looser over time?
Normally, it’s the opposite – over time, with exposure to the elements and washing, hats tend to get a little tighter. They do typically loosen up a bit when you first break them in, though.
How can I make a dad hat smaller?
If your hat is too loose, you can speed up the shrinking process using water and heat. One method is to soak your cap in water, then let it dry somewhere warm. Another is to gently steam it.
What should I wear with my dad hat?
Dad hats are meant to be comfortable, so wear something comfortable to go with it. They go well with t-shirts, jeans, and tennis shoes. And if it’s a custom dad hat, you can get a custom shirt to match.
Are dad hats still cool?
We certainly think so! The combination of comfort and style is timeless, and you can see this in their popularity today. The casual nature fits all types of people and settings.
Have more questions? Check out our top 10 custom hat FAQs for more answers.
Start Customizing Your Dad Hat
If you’ve read this far and are ready to create your new favorite dad hat, Hat.Co has you covered. Or if you’ve read this far and think another style might be better, Hat.Co has plenty of other hat options available for you to choose from, too. Our custom hat services are industry-leading and at your fingertips.
We’re with you from day one until you put the hat on your head, and are ready to get started on your order today. Start designing your custom dad hat online, call us at (636) 926-2777, or get a quote today to get started.