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. What’s more, Custom Dad Hats give you a hat choice that’s both fashionable and comfortable, a win-win for your Naperville, IL, 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’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, pro tips to keep in mind while custimizing a dad hat, and some of the most popular dad hat questions on the internet. You can jump ahead using these links:
- What Makes a Hat a “Dad Hat”
- 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 Customizing 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 Naperville, IL, as a result of their casual, easygoing feel and ease to maintain. Dad hats are a specific baseball hat style, without any structure in the crown, and typically without much of a curve in the visor. Most of the time, they are made of softer materials, which is responsible for their trademark comfort.
Here’s the elements that you’ll see in most dad hats:
- Unstructured panels in the crown
- Softly curved bill
- Made with softer materials
- Normally has a smaller, simpler logo
- Sometimes, they are artificially aged to look more worn
Who Wears Dad Hats (Besides Dads) in Naperville, IL?
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 comfortable and stylish hat choices for anyone and everyone:
- Families in Naperville, IL, will wear custom dad hats for everyday use.
- Vacationers can protect themselves from the sun and the elements while staying in style.
- 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 will sometimes wear dad hats for low-intensity outings.
- Golfers sometimes wear them for their leisurely sport.
- Musicians are known to wear custom dad hats to events.
- You can take a break and relax in a custom dad hat.
A custom dad hat is a great way to represent yourself or your brand in a low-key way, and the hat could easily become your new favorite for daily use.
The Pros and Cons of Custom Dad Hats
Dad hats can be an excellent choice for regular wearing year-round, and are easy to customize, too. But just because they’re comfortable doesn’t mean that there aren’t situations where another hat style might be a better fit. If you’re undecided on whether you want to customize a dad hat or another style, think about 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.
- Transportability: Because they can bend more than other hats without harming them, they travel well and don’t require special packing.
- Lower Maintenance: The lack of structure in the crown makes dad hats simple to clean and maintain as well.
- 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 low profile doesn’t display logos as well as some other hat styles.
- 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 – 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 – Some people or organizations have existing logos they want to put on a hat If not, you can always draw your own, or collaborate with professional designers.
- Pick a Logo Application Method – The four different techniques we use to apply your logo to 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 send in your order online or you can request a quote before sending in your order.
Dad hats aren’t the only hat style you can customize by following these steps, but different hat styles will be suitable for different occasions.
Pro Tips for Naperville, IL, Dad Hat Custom Design
While some parts of custom hat design are applicable to any hat, dad hat’s soft crown and looser fit are most well suited for subtler decorations. Here are some pro tips to keep in mind while designing your custom dad hat.
Pro Tip 1: Use a Small and Simple Logo
- These hats are meant to be casual – 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’s style is a great fit for dad hats, with retro feel to it.
- Embroidered logos stand up to wear and tear without compromising on the dad hat’s comfort.
- A small patch can also work, but can get in the way of the trademark foldability.
Pro Tip 3: Expect A Looser Fit
- When picking your hat size, remember that dad hats fit loose on purpose.
- This is on purpose, to make them more comfortable for Naperville, IL, wearers.
- Most dad hats have an adjustable size, which can help if the feel is too loose for your liking.
Naperville, IL, Custom Dad Hat Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions, and Hat.Co has answers. Learn about the top Naperville, IL, custom dad hat FAQs now:
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. Dad hats’ visors are also less curved than a typical baseball cap.
Are dad hats good for big heads?
Dad hats tend to be great fits for big heads, due to their looser nature. Dad hats avoid the headaches from other hat styles’ tightness, and often can be tightened or loosened if the fit isn’t perfect right away.
Do hats get looser over time?
The inverse, actually – as they are washed and go through the sun and rain of Naperville, IL, hats shrink just a bit. 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. 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. For the ultimate outfit combo, 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.
Did you have another question we didn’t answer? Check out our top 10 custom hat FAQs for more answers.
Start Customizing Your Naperville, IL, Dad Hat
If you’ve read this far and are ready to create your new favorite Naperville, IL, 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.
We’re with you from day one until you put the hat on your head, 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 now to get started.