Dad Hats are for more than just 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. Plus, Custom Dad Hats give you a hat choice that’s both fashionable and comfortable, a win-win for your Durham, NC, wardrobe. And there’s no better place to make your Custom Dad Hat than Hat.Co, with a wide range of options and support at your fingertips.
Whether you’re just getting started in the design process or you’re already ready to put your logo on fabric, we’ve got your back. You can get a free quote online or dive into the design studio today.
Today, we’ll go over what makes a dad hat a ‘dad hat’, what makes them a great option for custom hats, how to do so, and frequently asked questions. You can navigate the page below:
- What Are Dad Hats
- Who Wears Dad Hats
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Custom Dad Hats
- Steps To Customize a Dad Hat
- Pro Tips for Dad Hat Custom Design
- Dad Hat FAQs
- Start Creating 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 Durham, NC, known for their coziness and flexibility. They are a type of baseball cap with a loose, structureless crown, and normally with a brim that is not very curved. Often times, they are made of softer fabrics, making them extra pleasant to wear..
Here’s the elements that you’ll see in most dad hats:
- Unstructured crown
- Barely curved bill
- Made with softer materials
- Doesn’t have a large, boisterous design
- Designs are sometimes intentionally faded or distressed
Who Wears Dad Hats (Besides Dads) in Durham, NC?
Dad hats have been around for decades, and had their first rise and fall of popularity in the 90s, 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 Durham, NC, make use of custom dad hats for their comfortable nature.
- Vacationers like custom dad hats to commemorate the event and enjoy their soft touch.
- Teens wear custom dad hats for both events and just casually.
- Barbecuers can make custom dad hats to wear while they’re out by the grill.
- Fishermen wear them when taking it easy and enjoying a peaceful day on the water.
- Golfers sometimes wear them for their leisurely sport.
- Musicians have been seen with custom dad hats while out and about.
- You can take a break and relax in a custom dad hat.
With a custom dad hat, you can boost your brand in a low-key way, in a way that will last for a long time.
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 even though they have several benefits, 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.
- Pliability and transportability: Because they can bend more than other hats without harming them, they are easy to pack for travel.
- Lower Maintenance: Their pliability makes caring for your Dad Hat easy as well..
- Low-Key: They’re great for family events or other relaxed gatherings.
Custom Dad Hat Cons
- Durability: While the lack of structure makes them easy to maintain, they do wear out a bit faster.
- Logo Display: Large, bombastic designs or logos don’t have as much real estate to work with on dad hats.
- 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’re here to help. 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.
- 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 – Some people or organizations have existing logos they want to put on a hat If not, for expert advice, think about consulting one of our professional designers.
- Pick a Logo Application Method – The four main methods to apply your logo to 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, our online store can lets you make orders directly, or you can request a quote prior to sending in your order.
Other hat styles can be customized in a similar way, but different hat styles will be suitable for different occasions.
Pro Tips for Durham, NC, Dad Hat Custom Design
Even though the basic tennants of hat design customization can work with any hat, dad hat’s 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 also be seen in the logo.
- Smaller logos will have less of an effect on the pliability of the dad hat.
- Complex logos can lose their details when shrunk down and put on softer hats.
Pro Tip 2: Default to Embroidery
- Embroidery is probably the most popular way to apply logos to dad hats, because of the vintage look and feel.
- Embroidered logos are long lasting, but also don’t have a major impact on the dad hat’s pliability.
- A small patch might work as well, but can get in the way of the trademark foldability.
Pro Tip 3: Expect A Looser Fit
- Hat sizing for dad hats should be the same as for other hat styles; just don’t expect them to be as snug.
- They’re designed this way so that they rest easy on the heads of Durham, NC, wearers.
- Most dad hats have an adjustable size, which can help if the feel is too loose for your liking.
Durham, NC, Custom Dad Hat Frequently Asked Questions
Hat.Co searched for the top questions on dad hats, and has answered them all. Read the top Durham, NC, custom dad hat FAQs now:
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?
Because of their form-fitting, looser nature, dad hats are often great choices for people with large heads. They are less likely to squeeze a larger head, and normally can have their size adjusted as well.
Do hats get looser over time?
The inverse, actually – as they are washed and go through the sun and rain of Durham, NC, hats shrink just a bit. The one exception is that when they are put on for the first few times, they typically stretch a bit to fit your head.
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. Hoodies and t-shirts are good topwear, while jeans and shorts are good bottomwear. If you want to emphasize your logo, you can get a custom shirt to match.
Are dad hats still cool?
Yes they are! Everyone wants a cozy outfit, 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 you have another question we didn’t answer? Check out our top 10 custom hat FAQs for more answers.
Start Customizing Your Durham, NC, Dad Hat
When you’re ready to make your Durham, NC 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, reach out at (636) 926-2777, or get a quote today to start your order.