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How Do I Choose the Best Pork Pie Hat?

Angela Farrer
Angela Farrer

You can choose the best pork pie hat based on color, quality, coordination with the rest of your fashion accessories, and the way the hat fits. These types of hats are known for their short brims and flatter tops. They are sometimes mistaken for fedoras, though the two kinds of hats are actually different in shape and style. The pork pie hat first became popular headgear among jazz musicians during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These caps' unique look still endures among artistic types who feel comfortable standing out from the crowd.

A pork pie hat often comes in colors such as black, brown, and charcoal grey. Although these kinds of hats have been traditionally worn with two- or three-piece men's suits, contemporary fashion trends often allow for more versatility in clothing choices. Both men and women can pair a pork pie hat with a selected outfit if preferred. Possible clothing items that can be paired with this hat include jeans, button-down shirts, vests, and simple flat shoes. Some women also create more bohemian looks by wearing one of these flat caps with shorter skirts and patterned nylon stockings.

Woman posing
Woman posing

Pork pie hats are usually made from felt, brocade, or a similar type of fabric. Some of them can also be woven from lightweight straw, and others can be made from fine leather. Before purchasing this type of hat, you should generally check that each one is made from good quality materials. A few cheaper versions of these hats can be made with the fabric stretched over a hard plastic inner lining that can eventually crack with normal wear and tear. Well-made pork pie hats are usually fabricated with more durable material that will not result in this problem.

One of the best pork pie hats normally gives you the best value for your money in terms of quality. It should also fit correctly without sitting too low on your forehead or too high towards the crown of your head. Hats that are too loose or too tight can be uncomfortable and can also detract from your overall fashion-forward look in some cases. Many knowledgeable hat sellers will measure the circumference of your head in order to determine the correctly-sized pork pie hat for you. If you are ordering one of these hats from an online vender, most of them include sizing charts on their websites to help you take this measurement for yourself.

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