Whether it's spring, summer, autumn or winter, many bald men opt for the hat option before stepping out into the open world. Hats have long been a popular accessory for the bald man for multiple reasons; which include protection from the sun, to add depth to an outfit, to add warmth to your head in the winter or even to just cover up if you're struggling to come to terms with hair loss.
When it comes to choosing a hat, I personally feel that there are some very good options and some less good options, however as with most things this is just personal preference. I've been a wearer of hats throughout my life, with hair and without hair. I've always found them to be a nice fashion accessory in the right time and place and the great thing about wearing a hat as a bald man is that you never have to worry about hat hair. I ride both a motorbike and a scooter everywhere so every day I'm constantly squeezing my head in and out of a helmet. When I had hair this was a logistical nightmare especially when it was very hot as thinning hair in particular becomes extremely noticeable when you are sweating. Now I just slip it on and off and go about my life without even looking in the mirror - one of the actual benefits I've found to being bald.
So before we go into which type of hats are good to wear and some which I (remember this is my personal opinion only) think are not such a good look, let's look at some of the situations where a hat is going to be a beneficial choice:
Summer or generally being out in the Sun
Sun damage is a very real thing and it's extremely bad for your skin. Sun damage directly to your head can cause a multitude of issues ranging from sun burn and ageing skin to heat stroke or skin cancers. The fact that your head points directly upwards towards the sun means that it's directly exposed 100% of the time; where your hair used to cover this up, the skin on your scalp is now completely open to the sun's harmful UV rays. Sun cream is an absolute must for bald men. The fact that bald heads show a lot more skin in general means that it's important for you to look after it. Remember to choose a good quality sun cream and use it regularly if you're going to be out in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
In the Cold
As with the sun and the heat, when the mercury drops and the weather gets cold, it's important to cover up your exposed head. You naturally lose a lot of your body temperature through both your feet and your head. So if you're out for a long time and the weather is very cold, you're going to be losing all the body heat you're trying so hard to keep in underneath your layers of coats and jumpers and shirts. A good quality thermal hat will help you to keep the warmth in your body where it belongs.
With the right Outfit
Hats are a time and a place type accessory and you want to make sure you match the hat to your outfit - I would hope that you're not about to throw on a baseball cap while you're wearing a suit and tie. When you're wearing a casual or smart casual outfit, particularly in the summer, a nice fedora or trilby can be a really nice accessory to add depth to your look.
Now that we've established some good times to wear a hat, let's take a look at some of the options available to suit the stylish bald man:
Baseball Cap
The baseball cap is a good accessory when it's worn at the right time. This shouldn't be something you wear with a smart outfit or on your way to work in the morning. Baseball caps are great for wearing to sporting events, at the beach, a BBQ, or just out and about, but only when you're going for the more casual look. They will shield your eyes and protect your face from the sun and you can get branded hats to support your favourite teams (I have plenty).
Fedora & Trilby
A great look that's almost been overdone in recent years by men wearing these indoors with skinny scarves and unwashed t-shirts. But they are actually fantastic hats and can match quite a few outfits. The fact that they come in different styles and colours means that they're a versatile accessory. A dark trilby can be worn with a smarter outfit or even a suit (just try not to look too much like a 1920s gangster if you do) and lighter coloured fedoras are great for summer outfits - casual or smart. The Fedora tends to be my personal hat of choice when I'm on a beach holiday.
Panama Hat
This is essentially just a slightly larger rimmed fedora, but they're been popular with men and women for a long time. In my opinion the Panama Hat isn't always the best option if you're a smaller framed gent like myself. They can give the illusion of you being swamped under a large rim and can make you look out of proportion. I would also suggest these only be worn on hot holidays or at the beach. I've seen men wear these on the underground in London and it just doesn't seem like a fitting style.
Beanie Hat
An absolutely fantastic winter accessory and a must have for the bald man who lives in a colder country. Having grown up in England I spent many a winter hiding under a beanie hat, shielding myself from the chilly north wind while waiting for various trains and buses. Beanie hats are another really great option for both smart or casual. Make sure you get one or two good quality beanies that you can match with your style and so you can rotate them as they will need washing sometimes.
Flat Cap
A lot of people will think old fashion British gangster, Peaky Blinders or even turn of the century paper boys when they think flat cap. These have gone full circle in recent years and I've seen plenty of guys rocking the look including myself. I think a lot of men absolutely can pull off this look, but tread lightly as they can look a little out of place on the heads of some bald men. I have found personally that my head is slightly too narrow for most flat caps so they don't always sit quite right. If you are going to wear one, try to pair it with the right outfit - maybe something smart but fitting or smart casual.
So gentlemen, there you have a few options and a few style ideas - at the end of the day, a hat is an important item in bald mens' fashion for a number of reasons, so be sure to get one that suits your style and your needs. Don't choose a hat and change your brand just to suit it, work with what works for you, match your character and your situations. And always remember a real gentleman should take his hat off indoors.
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