Dad Hats, despite their name, are great choices for dads and non-dads alike! With their flexible, supple feeling and easygoing nature, these hats are a popular choice for anyone wanting some relaxing headwear. What’s more, Custom Dad Hats give you a hat choice that’s both fashionable and comfortable, a win-win for your Elgin, IL, wardrobe. 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’ve got your back. You can get a free quote online or dive into the design studio today.
Today, we’ll overview the defining characteristics of dad hats, the advantages of customizing dad hats, how to do so, and Elgin, IL, questions on the topic. You can jump ahead here:
- 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 Designing Your Dad Hat
If you have any questions or need any help, call now at (636) 926-2777.
What Makes a Hat a “Dad Hat”?
Dad hats are a popular style of hat in Elgin, IL, because of their combination of comfort and pliability. A specific type of baseball cap, dad hats are made with a more form-fitting top, and ordinarily with a visor that is just slightly curved. They’re also typically made of softer fibers to enhance comfort.
Dad hats main features and design trends are:
- Unstructured crown
- Barely curved bill
- Made with softer fabric
- Normally has a smaller, simpler logo
- Sometimes, they are artificially aged to look more worn
Who Wears Dad Hats (Besides Dads) in Elgin, IL?
Dad hats have been around for decades, and had their first rise and fall of popularity in the 90s, and became popular again in the mid-2010s in part due to a 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 great fits for people of all ages and walks of life today:
- Families in Elgin, IL, like to make custom dad hats for gatherings.
- Vacationers can protect themselves from the sun and the elements while staying in style.
- 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.
- Everyone can show off style every day with 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 are great hats for Elgin, IL, everyday wear, and are highly customizable. 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 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.
- 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 excellent for everyday use and chill hangouts.
Custom Dad Hat Cons
- Durability: The form-fitting design can go through more wear and tear as it bends.
- Logo Display: Large, bombastic designs or logos don’t have as much real estate to work with on dad hats.
- Looser Fit: If you’re running around, you’ll want a hat with a tighter fit to avoid losing it.
How To Customize a Dad Hat
Need help designing the ultimate custom dad hat? We’ve got you covered. 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?”
- 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 – Some people or organizations have existing logos they want to put on a hat If not, you can create one yourself or work with professional designers.
- Pick a Logo Application Method – The four main methods to add your logo onto 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, you can either purchase directly through our online store or you can ask for a quote prior to sending in your order.
Other hat styles can be customized by following these steps, but depending on your purpose, you might want another hat style.
Pro Tips for Elgin, IL, Dad Hat Custom Design
Although the above steps on hat customization are applicable to any hat, dad hat’s soft crown and looser fit work best with subtler decorations. Here are 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
- These hats are meant to be casual – their casual nature should also be seen 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 is probably the most popular way to apply logos to dad hats, because of the vintage look and feel.
- 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
- When picking your hat size, remember that dad hats fit loose on purpose.
- They’re designed this way to make them more comfortable for Elgin, IL, wearers.
- Most dad hats have an adjustable size, which can help if the feel is too loose for your liking.
Elgin, IL, Custom Dad Hat Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions, and Hat.Co has answers. Read the top Elgin, IL, 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. 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. Dad hats avoid the headaches from other hat styles’ tightness, and normally can have their size adjusted as well.
Do hats get looser over time?
Normally, it’s the opposite – over time, with exposure to the Elgin, IL, elements and washing, hats tend to get a little tighter. 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?
If the loose fit is too much, there are several ways you can shrink them down. 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?
Embrace the comfort of the dad hat with the rest of your outfit. 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?
We certainly think so! Being comfortable never goes out of style, and you can see this in how many people wear dad hats today. The casual nature is appealing to everyone.
Have more questions? Check out our top 10 custom hat FAQs for more answers.
Start Customizing Your Elgin, IL, Dad Hat
When you’re ready to make your Elgin, 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.
We can help with all parts of creating your custom hat, and are good to go as soon as you are. Start designing your custom dad hat online, call us at (636) 926-2777, or get a quote today to get started.