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 the go-to for people who are looking to relax. On top of that, Custom Dad Hats are a popular choice in Indianapolis, IN, to combine style and comfort, giving you the best of both worlds. 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 test out the design studio today.
On this page, we’ll talk about what makes a dad hat a ‘dad hat’, the advantages of customizing dad hats, pro tips to keep in mind while custimizing a dad hat, and Indianapolis, IN, questions on the topic. You can find a specific section using these links:
- What Makes a Hat a “Dad Hat”
- Who Wears Dad Hats
- Is a Dad Hat Right for Your Custom Project
- How To Customize a Dad Hat
- Pro Tips for Designing Your Dad Hat
- Dad Hat FAQs
- Start Creating Your Dad Hat
We’re here to help, whatever you need. Call us at (636) 926-2777 for help with anything custom dad hat related
What Makes a Hat a “Dad Hat”?
Dad hats are a popular style of hat in Indianapolis, IN, as a result of their casual, easygoing feel and ease to maintain. A specific type of baseball cap, dad hats are made with a loose, structureless crown, and typically with a visor that is just slightly curved. Most of the time, they are made of softer fabrics to enhance comfort.
Dad hats main features and design trends are:
- Unstructured top
- Slightly curved visor
- Made with softer fibers
- Often features a simple design
- Designs are sometimes intentionally faded or distressed
Who Wears Dad Hats (Besides Dads) in Indianapolis, IN?
Dad hats have been around for decades, and had their first rise and fall of popularity in the 90s, and experienced a comeback in the mid 2010s, resulting in part from a celebrity-led resurgence, which is still going on at present day. While they are named for the middle-aged men who tended to wear them in the 90s, they’re a popular choice for everyone, from celebrities to everyday folks:
- Families in Indianapolis, IN, will wear custom dad hats for everyday use.
- 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 will sometimes wear dad hats for low-intensity outings.
- Golfers make use of custom dad hats to represent their team while keeping the comfort.
- Musicians have been seen with custom dad hats while out and about.
- Everyone 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 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 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, 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 don’t take up much space.
- Lower Maintenance: Their pliability makes caring for your Dad Hat easy 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: 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
Need help designing 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 – 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 – 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, you can create one yourself or work with professional designers.
- Pick a Logo Application Method – The main ways to add your logo onto your hat are screen printing, embroidery, DTF/heat transfer, and on patches.
- Pick Out Base Colors – Since you already know the colors of your logo, pick something that will complement it.
- 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 Indianapolis, IN, Dad Hat Custom Design
Even though the basic tennants of hat customization can work with any hat, dad hat’s soft crown and looser fit are most well suited for subtler decorations. Here are some pro tips specific to dad hats which you can think about while customizing.
Pro Tip 1: Use a Small and Simple Logo
- Dad hats aren’t statement pieces – their emphasis on a soft feeling should carry over into your logo.
- Massive logos get in the way of the hat when folding or rolling it.
- 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 stand up to wear and tear without compromising on the dad hat’s comfort.
- A small patch might work as well, but limits the dad hat’s trademark elasticity.
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 to make them more comfortable for Indianapolis, IN, wearers.
- Typically, dad hats can still be tightened if you want them to be more snug.
Indianapolis, IN, Custom Dad Hat Frequently Asked Questions
Hat.Co searched for the top questions on dad hats, and has answered them all. Learn about the top Indianapolis, IN, custom dad hat FAQs below:
What’s the difference between a dad hat and a regular hat?
Dad hats are a subtype of baseball hats, without any crown structure to hold its shape. Also, dad hats’ bills normally are less curved (though not 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 typically have an adjustable size strap.
Do hats get looser over time?
The inverse, actually – as they are washed and go through the sun and rain of Indianapolis, IN, hats normally tighten a bit over time. 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?
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?
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! The combination of comfort and style is timeless, 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 Indianapolis, IN, Dad Hat
If you’ve read this far and are ready to create your new favorite Indianapolis, IN, dad hat, Hat.Co has you covered. But we do more than just dad hats – we offer a variety of other hat styles if something else would be a better fit. Our custom hat services are industry-leading and at your fingertips.
From design to delivery, we’re at your side, 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.