Dad Hats aren’t just for dads! Because they sport a flexible frame, gentle fabric, and comfortable fit, these hats are a great choice for anyone who’s looking to chill. Additionally, Custom Dad Hats feel good on your head and look good with your outfits, making them the perfect choice for Chicago, IL headware. We at Hat.Co take pride in our Custom Dad Hats, and can help you with everything from design to delivery.
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 get started with the design studio today.
On this page, we’ll overview how to tell if a hat is a dad hat, the advantages of customizing dad hats, advice for custom dad hat, and frequently asked questions. You can jump ahead below:
- What Are Dad Hats
- Who Wears Dad Hats
- Is a Dad Hat Right for Your Custom Project
- Steps To Customize a Dad Hat
- Pro Tips for Designing Your Dad Hat
- Dad Hat FAQs
- Start Making Your Dad Hat
If there’s anything that you still have questions on that we didn’t address on this page, call us at (636) 926-2777 and we’ll help you out.
What Makes a Hat a “Dad Hat”?
Dad hats are a popular style of hat in Chicago, IL, known for their coziness and flexibility. A specific type of baseball cap, dad hats are made with a more form-fitting top, and often without much of a curve in the visor. Often times, they are made of softer fibers, which is responsible for their trademark comfort.
Here’s the elements that you’ll see in most dad hats:
- Unstructured top
- Slightly curved bill
- Made with softer fibers
- Doesn’t have a large, boisterous design
- Sometimes, they are artificially aged to look more worn
Who Wears Dad Hats (Besides Dads) in Chicago, IL?
Dad hats had a boom and fall in popularity during the 1990s, and experienced a comeback in the mid 2010s, resulting in part from a celebrity-led resurgence, which is still going on even today. Their name comes from that original 1990s burst of popularity, when people mostly saw their wearers as middle-aged men; however, they’re comfortable and stylish hat choices for anyone and everyone:
- Families in Chicago, IL, make use of custom dad hats for their comfortable nature.
- 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 protect their skin and their easygoing vibes in dad hats.
- Fishermen wear them when taking it easy and enjoying a peaceful day on the water.
- Golfers sometimes wear them for their leisurely sport.
- Musicians, particularly hip-hop stars, frequently wear dad hats, contributing to their recent resurgence.
- Anyone can show off style every day with a custom dad hat.
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 can be an excellent choice for regular wearing year-round, and customizing their design is easy, too. But just because they’re comfortable doesn’t mean they’re always the right choice for your custom hat style. If you’re undecided on whether you want to customize a dad hat or another style, consider these pros and cons below:
Custom Dad Hat Pros
- Unparalleled Comfort: Dad hats are often considered one of the most comfortable hat styles, due to their softer fabrics and looser fit.
- Easy to pack and transport: Because they are more easily folded and bent without damaging them, they are easy to pack for travel.
- Lower Maintenance: The lack of structure in the crown makes dad hats simple to clean and maintain as well.
- Low-Key: They’re excellent for everyday use and chill hangouts.
Custom Dad Hat Cons
- Durability: While the lack of structure makes them easy to maintain, they do wear out a bit faster.
- 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
Not sure where to start to make the ultimate custom dad hat? No need to worry. Just follow the steps below to get started:
- Decide Your Audience – If you start with the audience, anytime you’re making a decision you can ask yourself “what would the person wearing the hat like?”
- Set A Due Date – If you don’t need your hats for a while, take some time to refine the details and get everything right.
- Make Your Logo – If you have an existing logo, that’s great! If not, you can always draw your own, or collaborate 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 – There aren’t any hard and fast rules on colors, but if you want to compliment your logo, think about using a color wheel.
- Send In Your Order – at Hat.Co, our online store can lets you make orders directly, or you can ask for a quote prior to sending in your order.
You can also customize other hat styles in this fashion, but you should think about your event when deciding which style to customize.
Pro Tips for Chicago, IL, Dad Hat Custom Design
Even though the basic tennants of hat design customization are applicable to any style, dad hat’s soft crown and looser fit fit well with 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 statement pieces – their focus on comfort should also be seen in the logo.
- Massive logos get in the way of the hat when folding or rolling it.
- Finely detailed logos can lose their intricacies when resized for a hat.
Pro Tip 2: Default to Embroidery
- Embroidery’s style is a great fit for dad hats, with retro feel to it.
- Embroidered logos also strike a great balance between flexibility and durability.
- A small patch might work as well, but limits the dad hat’s trademark elasticity.
Pro Tip 3: Expect A Looser Fit
- When picking your hat size, remember that dad hats fit loose on purpose.
- They’re designed this way so that they rest easy on the heads of Chicago, IL, wearers.
- Typically, dad hats can still be tightened if you want them to be more snug.
Chicago, IL, Custom Dad Hat Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve got answers for your dad hat questions. Check out the top Chicago, IL, custom dad hat FAQs now:
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. Also, dad hats’ bills normally are less curved (though not flat).
Are dad hats good for big heads?
People with big and tall heads often really like dad hats, due to their looser fit. They are less likely to squeeze a larger head, and ordinarilly can be tightened or loosened if the fit isn’t perfect right away.
Do hats get looser over time?
The inverse, actually – over time, with exposure to the Chicago, IL, elements and washing, hats tend to get a little tighter. That said, the first time you wear them, they will probably loosen as you break them in.
How can I make a dad hat smaller?
If the loose fit is too much, there are several ways you can shrink them down. One method you can try soaking it, then drying it in a warm place. Another is to gently steam it.
What should I wear with my dad hat?
Embrace the comfort of the dad hat with the rest of your outfit. They go well with t-shirts, jeans, and tennis shoes. 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 can fit well in for a variety of occasions and environments.
Did we miss anything on this FAQ? Check out our top 10 custom hat FAQs for more answers.
Start Customizing Your Chicago, IL, Dad Hat
If you’ve read this far and are ready to create your new favorite Chicago, IL, 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 now to get started.