If your search for the best fedora hats hit a stalemate, you may be inclined to give up hope. But now you’ve found this time-saving article featuring the finest fedoras in the land.
Not so long ago, owning and wearing a handful of the best fedora hats was as common as wearing a coat, jumper, or shirt. Favored by movie stars, musicians, and world leaders, it was the ultimate choice of headwear—come rain or shine.
Today, the once everyday essential is now approached with caution and replaced by fisherman beanies, bucket hats, and baseball caps, becoming a nostalgic accessory reminiscent of elegant eras gone by.
This guide will help relieve such wariness and show you why the best fedora hats should still have pride of place in every guy’s wardrobe. Keep on reading to discover our handpicked selection of must-own styles.
What do the best fedora hats have in common? They help make a strong statement with minimal effort required. Whether you’re rocking a smart-casual outfit or a formal look, adding a fedora to the mix will give your get-up undeniable style.
This classic black design from Cotton On is made from 100% wool felt and comes accented with a luxurious brown hatband. Suitable for all seasons, it’s the ideal partner for a black bomber jacket, white tee, trousers, and Derby shoes.
Material: 100% Wool | Sizes available: S/M-L/XL | Colors: Black
Each of Frescobol Carioca’s hats is skillfully handcrafted by Ecuadorian artisans. This timeless fedora has been expertly woven from toquilla straw sourced from the region, and it has a wide brim that suits larger face shapes. The contrasting grosgrain ribbon gives a smart finish that looks great teamed with summer tailoring. For a more relaxed ensemble, try yours with a linen shirt, tailored trousers, and sandals.
Material: 100% Straw | Sizes available: 57-61” | Colors: White
If you’re up for splashing the cash,
Made in Italy, it features the label’s signature green and red stripe. We think it looks particularly striking teamed with a graphic tee, swim shorts, and sandals.
Material: 100% Straw | Sizes available: XS-XL | Colors: Beige
The Brixton Messer fedora hat is a stylish choice for those looking to make a statement. It’s presented in an eye-catching green, and the construction is 100% wool felt.
The brown faux leather band and metal crest pin offer a decorative touch that will feel right at home for garden parties and summer weddings. This design tilts a little more towards the casual side of dressing, so we suggest teaming it with a blazer and separate trousers (instead of a full suit).
Material: 95% Wool, 5% Polyurethane | Sizes available: XS-XL | Colors: Green, Black, Brown
If you’re new to the world of hat-wearing and want to try it out (without spending a fortune), take a look at this fedora by Lisianthus. For even more bonus points, it’s an absolute steal.
This version comes in a classic tan shade. However, the hat is available in 30 different colors. Choose your favorite and team it with a classic white tee, chinos, and box-fresh sneakers.
Material: 65% Cotton, 35% Polyester | Sizes available: M-L | Colors: Tan, Black, Gray
A wool fedora hat like this one from Borsalino is a fine choice for fall. The label has an esteemed history of quality craftsmanship, and they’ve been producing hats since the mid-19th century—so you know you’re investing in the very best.
Made in Italy from plush wool-felt, it’s trimmed with striped webbing ribbon and fitted with a comfortable internal browband. It’ll look right at home with a navy suit, but you can also use it to smarten up a casual shirt and chinos.
Material: 100% Wool | Sizes available: 57-62” | Colors: Gray, Black, Navy
As durable as it is stylish, this leather fedora is the perfect travel companion. Lightweight and easy to pack, it’s constructed to hold its shape through all your adventures and outdoor activities—fishing, hiking, summer BBQs.
Not just a pretty face, the unique design will protect your neck and face from the scorching sun, while the water-resistant fabric promises to keep you safe from drizzly weather. We think it looks great with a plain tee, chino shorts, and sneakers.
Material: 100% Leather | Sizes available: S-XXXL | Colors: Brown, Chocolate, Black
Crafted from thick wool, this classic fedora from AllSaints is finished with a refined leather trim, giving it a vintage feel that will look great in winter with biker jackets and ripped denim.
The wide brim is also suitable for the warmer months to keep the sun out of your eyes. Whatever the weather throws at you, this hat will help you channel your Sinatra vibes.
Material: 100% Wool | Sizes available: S/M-M/L | Colors: Black
As the official helmet manufacturer of the UK Police Force for two centuries, it’s fair to say that Christys’ is the Godfather of British hat-making. The brand’s designs have been worn by a whole host of famous faces, including Marlon Brando, Indiana Jones, and Brad Pitt.
Crafted from the finest beaver fur felt, this fedora comes in a deep racing green color—it complements chunky winter knitwear and quilted jackets perfectly. Boasting a soft, smooth, and luxurious feel, it’s named after the iconic Windsor Castle. If your royal residence knowledge is rusty, it’s a pretty well-known home in the English county of Berkshire.
Material: 100% Beaver Fur Felt | Sizes available: 55-62” | Colors: Green, Burgundy, Navy
Established in 1676, Lock & Co. is proudly the oldest hat shop in the world. It’s said that Oscar Wilde once bought his own fedora from the brand back in 1906 to wear on a lecture tour of the US. Pretty cool, right?
The Chelsea was introduced in the 1980s (as a timeless fedora for the man about town), and it looks just as good today as it would have back then. The streamlined silhouette is produced in a stiff rabbit felt with a smart leather inner headband and luxurious white silk lining. You should keep this one for formal occasions and team it with your favorite suit and overcoat.
Material: 100% Rabbit Felt | Sizes available: 55cm-65cm | Colors: Gray, Navy
For sun worshipers and luxury fashion lovers alike, Orlebar Brown fedora is the perfect summer hat. With its high crown and small brim, it pays homage to vintage styles your grandfather may have once worn.
Ideal for keeping the sun off your face, it’s made from lightweight straw and has an internal browband for optimum comfort.
Material: 100% Straw | Sizes available: One Size | Colors: Brown
What to Look For When Searching For The Best Fedora Hats
Material
The best fedora hats can be made from virtually anything. However, as you would expect, some materials work better than others. When shopping for the best fedora hats, value for money will probably be high up on your list of things you want from a hat. Bearing this in mind, it’s important to choose one made from quality fabric. The best ones to look out for are felt, wool, and straw.
Felt is the most versatile of the three. Suitable for year-round wear, it can be worn in hot or cold weather. Wool is best suited to the winter, while a straw fedora is your go-to for the summer months.
Color
The color you choose will depend on personal preference and where you want to wear your fedora. The most classic versions come in black, brown, or gray and can be worn both formally or as part of more relaxed ensembles.
Colorful options are optimal for sunny days and should ideally be kept for smart-casual outfits. However, if you’re a guy who likes to stand out from the crowd, they won’t look out of place if you wear them with sharp tailoring and summer-ready staples.
Shape
To easily identify some of the best fedora hats, you should be looking for a hat with a soft brim and indented crown. It’s typically creased lengthwise and “pinched” near the front on both sides. While not quite as common, other variations are available. You can also find fedoras with teardrop crowns, diamond crowns, and center dents, to name a few.
FAQ
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When wearing a fedora correctly, it sits comfortably just above the center of your forehead. The brim should turn gently down at the front and slightly up at the back. You may wish to tilt the hat slightly to the side or simply wear it straight and centered. When in doubt, follow in the footsteps of your favorite fedora-wearing old-timer.
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The best men’s fedora hats can last a lifetime with the right upkeep. However, if you fail to store it correctly, you could be in search of a new one in as little as a few years. The easiest way to keep it safe and fresh is with a hat storage box. You can pick one up from online retailers like Amazon.
For those who travel often, a travel case is a must. Just like a storage box, they have a hard exterior case to protect your hat from damage. They also feature a small handle and straps to bring your hat with you wherever you go easily.
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Knowing how to wear a hat is a handy sartorial skill, especially in the winter. While a fedora isn’t going to keep your head particularly warm, it will help protect you from the rain. Fur felt (which most men’s fedora hats are made from) is naturally water-resistant. So, simply keep the brim tilted down (to let the rain trickle off), and when it does get wet, shake off excess water, let it dry, and lightly brush clean.
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Traditionally, men’s fedora hats are best paired with a suit and tie. They can also perfectly complement a crisp white T-shirt, trousers, and smart sneakers (just don’t wear them with sportswear). So long as it aligns with your personal style, you can play about with various outfit combinations to suit the occasion.
Above all else, you should wear a fedora hat with confidence. Wear it reluctantly, and it will quickly become obvious that it shouldn’t be on your head. Make the hat yours, and it’ll soon become your signature.
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