Dad Hats are for more than just dads! 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 Pittsburgh, PA, to combine style and comfort, giving you the best of both worlds. At Hat.Co, with our wide selection of over a dozen models and expert logo design assistance, you can turn your Pittsburgh, PA, Custom Dad Hat dreams into a reality.
No matter if you’re a novice hat designer or an old pro, we’re here to help. You can get a free quote online or try out the design studio today.
Today, we’ll overview what makes a dad hat a ‘dad hat’, the advantages of customizing dad hats, advice for custom dad hat, and some of the most popular dad hat questions on the internet. You can navigate the page below:
- 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 Dad Hat Custom Design
- Dad Hat FAQs
- Start Creating Your Dad Hat
We’re here and ready for your order – call us at (636) 926-2777 if we can be of any assistance
What Makes a Hat a “Dad Hat”?
Dad hats are a popular style of hat in Pittsburgh, PA, as a result of their casual, easygoing feel and ease to maintain. A specific type of baseball cap, dad hats are made without any structure in the crown, and often without much of a curve in the visor. Most dad hats are also made of softer fibers to enhance comfort.
To recap, here are the main factors that make a cap a “dad hat”:
- Unstructured top
- Gently curved visor
- Made with softer materials
- Normally has a smaller, simpler logo
- Designs are sometimes intentionally faded or distressed
Who Wears Dad Hats (Besides Dads) in Pittsburgh, PA?
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 to this day. 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 Pittsburgh, PA, will wear custom dad hats for everyday use.
- Vacationers wear them at the beach, in the woods, and anywhere they go to relax.
- Teens will sport dad hats while out on weekends.
- 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 sometimes wear them for their leisurely sport.
- Musicians, particularly hip-hop stars, frequently wear dad hats, contributing to their recent resurgence.
- 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, in a unique way that doesn’t compromise on fit or function.
The Pros and Cons of Custom Dad Hats
Dad hats work well in Pittsburgh, PA, for day-to-day wearing, 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 still picking between hat styles and want to know more about dad hats, consider these pros and cons below:
Custom Dad Hat Pros
- Unparalleled Comfort: Softer builds and materials make dad hats almost unrivaled in hat comfort.
- Transportability: Because they can be partially rolled up without being damaged, they travel well and don’t require special packing.
- Lower Maintenance: Dad hats are easier to clean and maintain because of the unstructured crown.
- 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: The form-fitting design can go through more wear and tear as it bends.
- Logo Display: The low profile doesn’t display logos as well as some other hat styles.
- Looser Fit: Activities with a lot of movement are not good fits for dad hats – the looser fit makes it easier for them to fall off.
How To Customize a Dad Hat
Need help designing the ultimate custom dad hat? No need to worry. Just use the below list to get an idea for the process:
- Decide Your Audience – Everything you design should be with the wearer in mind.
- 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 four main methods to get your logo on your hat are screen printing, embroidery, DTF/heat transfer, and on patches.
- Pick Base Colors – Use the colors of the logo and pick out complimentary colors.
- Send In Your Order – at Hat.Co, you can send in your order online or you can ask for a quote prior to sending in your order.
You can also customize other hat styles by following these steps, but depending on your purpose, you might want another hat style.
Pro Tips for Pittsburgh, PA, Dad Hat Custom Design
Even though the basic tennants of custom hat design can work with any hat, the soft crown and looser fit are most well suited for subtler decorations. Below, we’ve listed out some pro tips that we recommend considering when working with dad hats.
Pro Tip 1: Use a Small and Simple Logo
- These hats are meant to be casual – their emphasis on a soft feeling should be reflected 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 works best for dad hat logos because of its classic look to fit an old-school style.
- Embroidered logos are long lasting, but also don’t have a major impact on the dad hat’s pliability.
- 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, so that they don’t squeeze the heads of Pittsburgh, PA, wearers.
- Typically, dad hats can still be tightened if you want them to be more snug.
Pittsburgh, PA, Custom Dad Hat Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions, and Hat.Co has answers. Learn about the top Pittsburgh, PA, 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. 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. Dad hats avoid the headaches from other hat styles’ tightness, and often 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 Pittsburgh, PA, hats shrink just a bit. They do typically loosen up a bit when you first break them in, though.
How can I make a dad hat smaller?
If your hat is too loose, you can speed up the shrinking process using water and heat. 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?
Dad hats are meant to be comfortable, so wear something comfortable to go with it. Hoodies and t-shirts are good topwear, while jeans and shorts are good bottomwear. And if it’s a custom dad hat, 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 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 Pittsburgh, PA, Dad Hat
When you’re ready to make your Pittsburgh, PA 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’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 start your order.