Hat matching

[dsmolken]

I currently own one brimmed hat and it is brown but I want to get another one in a different color. Then then question becomes which hat to wear with what. What are the rules? Do you match your hat and/or hatband to a particular item or avoid specific combinations?

 

[HatMagnet]

I wear a thin ribbon gray fedora with almost anything and a black one for solemn for funerals and more formal functions. The brown one is usually used for casual/everyday wear,although I have a suit that it matches well.
All the above hats are Akubra's.

 

[Eagle]

My hat color for the day is usually geared off of the color of my coat on that day.

 

[KObalto]

Originally Posted by Eagle

My hat color for the day is usually geared off of the color of my coat on that day.
+1. I have a midnight blue fedora I wear with my black overcoat and a green one I wear with my brown tweed overcoat and my light sage trench coat.

 

[Bird's One View]

Except with (semi-/)formal clothes the hat color doesn't need to match anything. If you have a brown fedora, I'd get a gray fedora next (unless you routinely wear black tie, in which case a black homburg is just the thing).

 

[Classically]

As Bird's One View pointed, the hat doesn't have to match anything unless it's a formal occasion. I disagree with having to match a hat with semi-formal attire since a hat in itself is considered going above and beyond the call of sensible dress. Look at the lnks below for hat advice. My attire is dark grey for casual, black for formal (although I might switch it to Navy/Midnight if I can scrape up the cash for one). I try to avoid wearing anything that has the same color and tone of my hats. I repeat: http://www.millerhats.com/hatcare_index/hatcolor.html http://www.millerhats.com/hatcare_index/hatfaces.html

 

[AlanC]

If you have the brown, then go with gray next, or navy if you prefer. One in each of those colors plus a Panama and you have all you ever need. (Although not necessarily want.)

 

[dsmolken]

Thanks. That helps, I need to get a new overcoat also so I can make sure they look good together.

Something else hat-color-related that I'm curious about: why is it that different colors are common in fedoras and Western hats? I mean, Western hats pretty much only come in brown, black or silverbelly; anything else is rare as hen's teeth, even grey. Is there a traditional or historical reason for that?

 

[Cary Grant]

Originally Posted by Bird's One View

Except with (semi-/)formal clothes the hat color doesn't need to match anything. If you have a brown fedora, I'd get a gray fedora next (unless you routinely wear black tie, in which case a black homburg is just the thing).

Good advice.

 

[yo!]

Originally Posted by dsmolken

I need to get a new overcoat also so I can make sure they look good together.

Not necessarily, I have seen a brown hat work with a black overcoat. The trick was that he had a light brown colored scarf to tie the two together.

Granted this can probably only work with a black or charcoal coat and not work with say a black on navy scheme.

 

[dsmolken]

Originally Posted by yo!

Not necessarily, I have seen a brown hat work with a black overcoat. The trick was that he had a light brown colored scarf to tie the two together.
Oh, I see I should have written "I need to get a new overcoat anyway so I might as well make sure they look good together". Sorry about that. I certainly wouldn't buy a new overcoat just because I had a new hat.

 

[ManofKent]

I've only got two narrow ribboned fedoras - one black, one brown. I generally wear the brown with green and browns, and the black with navy or charcoal, but will mix about, particularly if I'm wearing a scarf to match the hat. A grey one will definitely be added when I can find one I like.

 

[Anthony Jordan]

I definitely second the recommendation for a grey hat, either with a self band or one in a darker grey; I have three and I find myself wearing one or other most days. I usually try and choose a hat which complements my overcoat (or suit if I am not wearing a coat) or otherwise picks up a tone in my outfit.