All categories
Business & Offices
Electronics & Media
Fashion & Accessories
Groceries & Essentials
Health & Personal Care
Home & Living
Kids & Family
Sports & Outdoors
Search in ZoneOffer
Hats do more than keep your head warm or shield your eyes from the sun — they complete an outfit, broadcast personality, and can elevate a look from ordinary to iconic. Think of a hat as the punctuation mark on your style sentence. Whether you’re reaching for a fitted cap, a classic fedora, or a weatherproof bucket, where you buy it matters as much as how you wear it. In the US, there are specialty stores, department stores, outdoor outfitters, and streetwear shops all competing to be your go-to hat source.
If you live and breathe team logos and structured crowns, these retailers are the first places to check. Lids is the obvious hometown champion for licensed caps — think MLB, NFL, and college logos — with both mall locations and a huge online catalog. New Era is the maker behind many official baseball caps, selling everything from fitted 59FIFTY styles to low-profile knit caps. Hat Club and local specialty cap shops offer custom embroidery and limited-edition releases for collectors who want caps that stand out.
Lids makes it easy to track down hat styles tied to teams and streetwear drops. If you want the latest player edition or a patch-heavy design, Lids’ inventory is tailored for fans who want authenticity and instant recognition. Their mix of brick-and-mortar shops and digital availability means you can try on sizes in person or order the exact team color online.
New Era sells the originals for many major sports leagues and stands out for its range of fits and crown heights. If you need a precise size — like a 7 1/4 or 7 5/8 — New Era’s fitted caps and size charts will guide you. They also offer collaborations with fashion houses and artists, so you can snag a unique drop if you stay alert.
For collectors and people who want a hat with personality, Hat Club and similar boutiques curate limited runs and custom designs. These stores often host community events and releases, making hat shopping feel like being part of a club rather than a quick transaction.
When temperatures dip, beanies become the daily essential for most guys. Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom carry a heavy rotation of fashion-forward beanies, from slouchy acrylic knits to cashmere blends. For budget-friendly variety, Amazon and department stores like Macy’s offer wide selections that let you test different styles without risking much cash. For premium yarns and fair-trade sourcing, brands stocked by stores like Huckberry and Bonobos deliver refined basics that last season after season.
Urban Outfitters keeps finger on the pulse with beanies that match current streetwear aesthetics. If you want a color or silhouette that’s seen on influencers, this is a reliable stop. Their beanies skew youthful and often come in open-knit or oversized styles for a casual vibe.
Nordstrom leans toward higher-end options and designer collaborations, while Macy’s brings a wider price range across mainstream brands. Both are great for someone who wants to try on different brands and feels more confident buying with the option to test fit and texture in person.
When your hat needs to stand up to rain, wind, sun, or long hikes, shopping at outdoor specialists pays off. REI, Patagonia, Columbia, and Tilley are leaders for hats designed with technical fabrics, UPF sun protection, and functional features like chin cords and packability. Filson and Orvis offer heavier-duty options for rugged use, while Tilley specializes in travel-friendly hats that pack flat and retain shape.
REI caters to hikers, anglers, and campers who need sun-shielding wide brims, breathable mesh panels, and quick-dry materials. If you plan to spend hours outdoors, REI’s brands and customer feedback make it easy to pick a hat that performs reliably.
Patagonia focuses on sustainability alongside function, while Columbia provides a broad lineup at accessible price points. Both brands often feature ventilated crowns and sweat-wicking bands, ideal for warm-weather activities measured in miles and hours rather than minutes.
For dressier occasions or a nod to vintage style, look to brands and retailers that specialize in structured forms. Goorin Bros., Stetson, and Brixton are names associated with craftsmanship and heritage styles. Department stores like Nordstrom and specialty shops offer felt fedoras, wool trilbys, and newsboy caps that pair well with blazers, coats, and smart casual outfits.
Goorin Bros. blends playful designs with classic shapes, while Stetson brings decades of heritage and hat-making tradition. If you want a hat that ages gracefully and becomes part of your wardrobe identity, these labels focus on quality materials and finish.
Brixton takes cues from music and vintage workwear, producing hats that slide easily between casual and refined looks. Smaller boutiques and hatmakers often stock limited runs that feel more personal than mass-produced pieces.
Streetwear culture drives a lot of headwear trends, and stores like Huckberry, Bonobos, Zumiez, and independent boutiques cater to different corners of that scene. Huckberry and Bonobos lean more toward curated lifestyle picks with an eye toward quality and fit, while Zumiez and other skate-focused retailers feature caps and bucket hats tied to youth and board culture. Small online shops and direct-to-consumer brands often have the freshest drops if you want something off the beaten path.
Huckberry balances rugged outdoor styles with modern tailoring, making it a go-to for weekend-to-weekday hats. Bonobos focuses on polished casual options that pair well with smart denim and blazers, ideal for men who want one hat to cover several social scenes.
Zumiez stocks brands that appeal to skaters and streetwear fans, including bucket hats and logo-driven caps. These stores are great for finding playful patterns and seasonal drops that match a more youthful aesthetic.
Fit is everything. A hat that sits comfortably will look better than a pricier one that pinches or slides. To measure your head, use a soft tape measure and circle it around the widest part — across the center of your forehead and just above your ears. Record the circumference in inches; for example, a 22-inch measurement typically corresponds to size 7, while 23 inches usually maps to size 7 1/4. Most brands offer size charts, so cross-reference inches with their guidance before buying online.
Crown height and brim width affect both style and function. Taller crowns create a bold, classic profile for fedoras and structured caps, while low-profile crowns suit baseball and snapback styles. For sun protection, aim for a brim of at least 3 inches to shield face and neck; for fashion-forward looks, narrower brims of 1 to 2 inches can be sleek and modern.
If you can try a hat in person, test it with movement — nod, bend, and turn. A properly fitting hat should not slip over your eyebrows nor sit so tightly that it leaves an imprint. Many hats come with adjustable sweatbands or internal sizing tape that can trim up to a half-inch for a snug fit.
Different materials suit different climates and activities. Wool and felt hats are great for cool weather, holding shape and shedding light rain. Straw is breathable and perfect for sunny summer days but must be stored carefully to avoid warping. Cotton and nylon are common in casual caps and performance hats, prized for breathability and easy washing. Leather adds refined style but needs conditioning to stay supple.
Wool and felt usually require gentle brushing and spot cleaning to preserve shape. Straw hats benefit from a dry cloth and careful storage to avoid crushing. Cotton and synthetic caps are often machine-washable on gentle cycles, but always check the manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid shrinking or fading. When in doubt, air-dry in a shaded area and support the crown to maintain shape.
Store hats on a shelf or hat stand to protect brims and crowns. For travel, invest in a packable style or a dedicated hat carrier. Avoid leaving hats in hot cars or compressed under heavy items — heat and pressure can permanently deform materials.
Hat prices vary widely. You can pick up a basic beanie or cotton cap for under $20, while bespoke fedoras and high-end leather hats can run well into the hundreds. Department stores and online marketplaces like Amazon and Macy’s often run seasonal sales that bring mid-range hats into affordable territory, while outlets and clearance events are great for scoring premium brands at lower prices. Sign up for newsletters from favorite retailers to get early-access sale alerts and promo codes.
Outlet malls and annual sales — especially during holidays — are ideal for buying quality hats on a budget. Brands like Columbia, Patagonia, and Tilley periodically discount last season’s colors, which are still perfectly wearable and functionally identical to new releases.
Thrift stores, vintage boutiques, and online resale platforms can yield unique hats with character at a fraction of the original cost. Vintage hats often have craftsmanship you won’t find in mass-market pieces, but inspect for wear and structural damage before buying.
More hat brands are prioritizing sustainable materials, recycled fabrics, and responsible sourcing. Patagonia, for instance, emphasizes recycled materials and repairability, while smaller brands may use organic cotton or certified wool. If sustainability matters to you, look for disclosures about manufacturing practices, materials, and lifetime guarantees that encourage repair over replacement.
Styling a hat is about matching mood and function. A low-profile baseball cap pairs perfectly with jeans and a tee for errands or game days. Fedoras and wool trilbys work with blazers and overcoats for evenings and semi-formal events. For outdoor adventures, wide-brim sun hats or bucket hats with UPF ratings protect skin while keeping you comfortably shaded. Think of hats as accents that either blend subtly or command attention depending on the context.
Choose neutral colors and clean lines if you want a hat that transitions from casual office days to weekend plans. A charcoal wool cap or a tan felt fedora can soften a work blazer while keeping your look approachable on weekends.
When mixing a patterned hat with patterned clothing, aim for balance. Let the hat echo a color from your outfit rather than compete with multiple patterns. Contrasting textures — a knit beanie with a leather jacket, or a straw hat with a linen shirt — create interest without looking overdone.
If you’re new to hats and want a capsule collection, start with three essentials: a casual cap for everyday wear, a warm beanie for cold months, and a neutral fedora or wide-brim hat that elevates dressier looks. From there, expand into specialty pieces like bucket hats for summer, a performance sun hat for outdoor activities, and a statement piece for nights out. Buying from different types of retailers — a department store, an outdoor shop, and a boutique — helps you build variety in cuts, materials, and price points.
Hats are one of the quickest ways to change how you look and feel. They do more than top off an outfit; they express mood, protect your skin, and reflect lifestyle. Whether you shop at Lids for team loyalty, New Era for fitted precision, REI for performance, or Goorin Bros. for heritage flair, the right hat is out there. Try different stores, test fits in inches, and treat your hat like a long-term style investment rather than a disposable accessory.
Now that you know where to shop and how to pick, are you ready to try a new silhouette? The right hat is waiting at the corner store, online boutique, or outdoor outfitter you trust.
