Dad Hats, despite their name, are great choices for dads and non-dads alike! Because they sport a flexible frame, gentle fabric, and comfortable fit, these hats are the go-to for people who are looking to relax. Plus, Custom Dad Hats feel good on your head and look good with your outfits, making them the perfect choice for Washington, DC headware. 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.
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 dive into the design studio today.
Today, we’ll talk about what defines a dad hat, the pros and cons of using a dad hat for your custom project, advice for custom dad hat, and some of the most popular dad hat questions on the internet. You can find a specific section using these links:
- What Are Dad Hats
- Who Wears Dad Hats
- Pros and Cons of Custom Dad Hats
- Steps To Customize a Dad Hat
- Pro Tips for Designing Your Dad Hat
- Dad Hat FAQs
- Start Creating Your Dad Hat
If you have any questions or need any help, call now at (636) 926-2777.
What Are Dad Hats?
Dad hats are a popular style of hat in Washington, DC, as a result of their casual, easygoing feel and ease to maintain. They are a type of baseball cap with a more form-fitting top, and ordinarily with a visor that is just slightly curved. Often times, they are made of softer fabrics, which is responsible for their trademark comfort.
Here’s the elements that you’ll see in most dad hats:
- Unstructured panels in the crown
- Slightly curved visor
- Made with softer materials
- Often features a simple design
- If they have designs printed on them, sometimes they are deliberately faded
Who Wears Dad Hats (Besides Dads) in Washington, DC?
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 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 Washington, DC, make use of custom dad hats for their comfortable nature.
- Vacationers wear them at the beach, in the woods, and anywhere they go to relax.
- Teens wear custom dad hats for both events and just casually.
- Barbecuers protect their skin and their easygoing vibes in dad hats.
- 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.
- Anyone 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 are great hats for Washington, DC, everyday wear, and are easy to customize, too. But while they have an unparalleled style and comfort combination, that 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, check out 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.
- Easy to pack and transport: Because they can bend more than other hats without harming them, they are easy to pack for travel.
- Lower Maintenance: Dad hats are easier to clean and maintain because of the unstructured crown.
- 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
Are you looking to create the ultimate custom dad hat? We’re here to help. Just follow the steps below to get started:
- Decide Your Audience – The wearer should be the guiding force behind your design decisions.
- Figure Out When You Need Them – 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 apply your logo to your hat are screen printing, embroidery, DTF/heat transfer, and on patches.
- Pick Out 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 different hat styles will be suitable for different occasions.
Pro Tips for Washington, DC, Dad Hat Custom Design
Even though the basic tennants of hat design customization can work with any style, the soft crown and looser fit can benefit from 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 casual nature should be reflected in the 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 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 is also a good option, 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 Washington, DC, wearers.
- If they feel way too loose after arriving, you can normally tighten them using the strap in the back.
Washington, DC, Custom Dad Hat Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions, and Hat.Co has answers. Read the top Washington, DC, 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. Dad hats also typically have less of a curve in the bill, though they’re not completely 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 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 Washington, DC, 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?
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! Everyone wants a cozy outfit, and you can see this in how many people wear dad hats today. The casual nature fits all types of people and settings.
Have more questions? Check out our top 10 custom hat FAQs for more answers.
Start Customizing Your Washington, DC, Dad Hat
If you’ve read this far and are ready to create your new favorite Washington, DC, 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 can help with all parts of creating your custom hat, 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 now to get started.