Don’t know a boater hat from a boonie? Wondering if a flat cap is the same as an ivy cap? Want to understand what a crown is or what defines a wide brim? Whatever the case may be, hat terms can get a little overwhelming. Our hat glossary will help you sort through the jargon.
For even more helpful information, be sure to consult our hat sizing guide and primer on how to find the right hat for your face shape.
A
Ascot cap: Similar to a flat cap or ivy cap, this hat style has a much harder and rounded shape.
Aussie hat: Also called an Outback hat, the Aussie hat is noted for its wide brim that slopes downward in the front and the back to protect against the elements. A teardrop-shaped, mid-size crown is most common for this style that is somewhat similar in appearance to a safari or western hat.
B
Baseball cap: An iconic American hat style, the baseball cap features a round crown and firm bill that provides shade for the eyes and face. Synonymous with the sport of baseball, this soft cap comes in a variety of fabrics including wool, denim, cotton, cotton twill, and synthetic materials such as polyester. In 1860, the Brooklyn Excelsiors baseball team wore what would become the predecessor to the modern-day baseball hat, creating the "Brooklyn style" cap craze that still exists today.
Beanie: A close-fitting knitted cap often made of wool, cashmere, acrylic, or cotton. While often worn for warmth in cold weather, beanies are popular year round if made of lighter materials.
Beret: A soft, round, flat-crowned hat that is instantly recognizable for not having a brim. Berets are typically made of wool or cotton, and are often worn at an angle. This style of hat is most associated with France, where they were first mass-produced in 1810.
Bill: Another word for brim, this is the stiff protruding part at the front of a cap that shields your eyes; also called a visor.
Boater hat: Also called a skimmer, a boater hat is made of straw with a flat top, short crown, and small- to medium-sized brim. It’s almost always trimmed with a red-and-blue ribbon headband, but colors and patterns can vary. Considered a warm-weather hat, boater hats have traditionally been worn during more formal occasions in the boating community.
Bolero hat: Also called a gaucho hat, a bolero hat is marked by its flat top (telescope crown) and flat brim hat. Most bolero hats feature a chin cord and are worn by Argentinian cowboys.
Boonie hat / Booney hat: Regardless of spelling preference, the boonie hat and booney hat are one and the same. Brought to prominence during the Vietnam War, the boonie is a soft, wide-brimmed hat usually made from cotton, twill, canvas, or a blend of natural and synthetic materials. It’s designed to optimize comfort and portability.
Bowler: Also called a derby hat, the bowler is defined by its stiff texture, dome-shaped crown, and small brim that lightly curves upward. Its name derives from Thomas and William Bowler, the London hat makers who created the style in 1849.
Brim: Also called the bill, think of this as the hat's ledge, which protrudes from the base of the crown; wider brims offer greater degrees of shade for the face, ears, and neck.
Bucket hat: Marked by its simple, symmetrical silhouette, the bucket hat is a casual topper that is typically made from cotton or canvas. It is similar to the boonie hat, but with a smaller brim that slopes downward.
C
Cowboy hat: Also referred to as a western hat, this iconic style is most associated with the American West, although it was originally inspired by Mexican cattle herders in the 19th century. Cowboy hats can be made of felt, leather, straw, or other blends with a tall, creased crown and wide brim that is either flat or rolled upward at the sides. Cowboy hats vary in crown shape — popular styles are center crease, teardrop, or diamond.
Crown: The top portion of the hat; the area above the brim that sits on your head.
Crushable hat: Any type of hat that is easily packed, folded, or otherwise crushed that will return to its original shape. Crushable hats are ideal for travel and come in a variety of styles and materials from wide brim straw hats to floppy felt hats.
D
Derby Hat: Also called a bowler hat, the derby hat is defined by its stiff texture, dome-shaped crown, and small brim that lightly curves upward. Its name derives from Thomas and William Bowler, the London hat makers who created the style in 1849.
F
Fedora: One of the most popular hat styles for both men and women, a fedora features a pliable mid-sized brim; an indented crown, typically with a center crease that is pinched on both sides; and usually wool felt material. Often mistaken for a trilby (learn more in our fedora vs. trilby guide), fedoras were originally constructed of fur or wool felt, but today come in a variety of materials including straw, leather, and synthetic blends. The fedora is sometimes referred to as the “Frank Sinatra hat” as he is credited with its rise in popularity during the 1950s and 1960s.
Felt: A popular hat fabric most often made of wool, a natural fiber that comes directly from a sheep's coat. Felt hats can be made of either fur felt or wool felt.
Flat cap: Also referred to as a golf cap or ivy cap, the flat cap is is a rounded cap with a low profile and a small, stiff brim. A popular mens hat style that traces its roots back to Britain and the UK, flat caps are most often constructed from tweed or cotton for warmth.
Floppy hat: As the name suggests, floppy hats feature a wide brim with a noticeable droop that offers ample sun protection. The crown is almost always rounded while the brim ranges in length from 3 inches and beyond. Floppy hats are most common for women and can be made of paper-braid and straw for warm temperatures and wool felt for the colder season.
G
Gambler hat: Defined by its large oval-shaped crown and mid-size to large brim that is most often slightly turned upward, the gambler hat is not unlike a western hat. It comes in a number of fabrics from wool felt to straw to leather.
Gaucho hat: Also called a bolero hat, a gaucho hat is marked by its flat top (telescope crown) and flat brim hat. Most gaucho hats feature a chin cord and are worn by Argentinian cowboys.
Golf cap: Also referred to as a flat cap or ivy cap, the golf cap is is a rounded cap with a low profile and a small stiff brim. A popular men’s hat style that traces its roots back to Britain and the UK, golf caps are most often constructed from tweed or cotton for warmth although they have been adopted on the golf course in warmer climates across the world.
H
Hat band: The decorative strip of material encircling a hat, positioned above the brim; a common feature most often in the form of a ribbon, leather strip, or braided cord.
Homburg hat: Named after the German town of the same name, the Homburg hat first became popular in the late 1800s but remains a widely unknown style today. Crafted from stiff felt, it’s marked by a center-dent crown and upwardly curved brim that is often trimmed in leather, silk, or grosgrain ribbon. A more formal headpiece, the Homburg is sometimes referred to as “The Godfather” hat since actor Al Pacino wore it in the seminal 1972 movie of the same name.
I
Inner band: Also called the sweatband, this is the hat’s interior band that helps ensure a good fit and keeps the hat shape intact; always located just above the hat’s underbrim; often made of leather or synthetic leather-like material.
Ivy cap: Also referred to as a flat cap or golf cap, the ivy cap is is a rounded cap with a low profile and a small, stiff brim. A popular men’s hat style that traces its roots back to Britain and the UK, ivy caps are most often constructed from tweed or cotton for warmth.
K
Knit hat: A simple, fitted, brimless cap most often worn for warmth in cold weather. Knit caps can be made from natural fibers such as wool, cashmere, silk, or synthetic materials.
L
Liner: The interior lining of the hat; an optional feature often made of soft fabrics such as satin, velvet, synthetic mesh, cotton, or silk.
M
Millinery: The art and business of hatmaking. Originally limited to describe the design, manufacture, and sale of womens hats, millinery now refers to hatmaking for women, men, and children. A person who works in this trade is called a milliner or hatter.
N
Newsboy cap: Also called a paperboy cap, the newsboy cap is named after the newsboys who wore them while delivering or selling newspapers in the early 20th century. It’s similar to a flat cap with its small stiff visor, but it has a slightly rounder and fuller profile with a center button on top.
O
Outback hat: Also called an Aussie hat, the Outback hat is noted for its wide brim that slopes downward in the front and the back to protect against the elements. A teardrop-shaped, mid-size crown is most common for this style that is somewhat similar in appearance to a safari or western hat.
P
Panama hat: Contrary to what its name suggests, Panama hats did not originate in Panama; they come from Ecuador. Furthermore, a Panama hat does not refer to a specific style, but rather its material — toquilla straw. Much like chianti must come from that region of Italy or champagne must originate from that region of France, an authentic Panama hat must be made of Ecuadorian toquilla straw. Because material is the defining factor, Panama hats come in a variety of shapes and styles.
Paperboy cap: Also called a newsboy cap, the paperboy cap is named after the paperboys who wore them while delivering or selling newspapers in the early 20th century. It’s similar to a flat cap with its small, stiff visor, but it has a slightly rounder and fuller profile with a center button on top.
Peak: Also called a brim, bill, or visor, this is the part of a baseball cap that protrudes from the base of the crown and provides shade for the face.
Porkpie hat: Named after the eponymous British meat pie, pork pie hats are defined by a flat, round-shaped crown with a circular crease that wraps around the circumference. This hat style typically has a very small “stingy brim” similar to the trilby.
R
Raffia straw: The fibers from raffia palms native to regions of Madagascar and Central and South America. Raffia straw is a popular hat material due to its durability, flexibility, and crushability.
S
Safari hat: Not to be confused with the tall, rounded-crown safari helmet or pith helmet, safari hats are marked by a mid- to large-size brim that subtly slopes downward with a medium to high crown that has a center dent. Safari hats come in various materials including straw, wool felt, synthetic mesh, and leather.
Silk hat: Also known as a top hat or stovepipe hat, a silk hat is among the most distinctive hat styles with a tall cylindrical crown and slightly curved brim. A popular mens hat style from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century, this topper is most associated with Abraham Lincoln and Uncle Sam.
Skimmer hat: Also called a boater, a skimmer hat is made of straw with a flat top, short crown, and small- to medium-sized brim. It’s almost always trimmed with a red-and-blue ribbon headband, but colors and patterns can vary. Considered a warm-weather hat, skimmer hats have traditionally been worn during more formal occasions in the boating community.
Snapback hat: A term used to describe a hat, typically a baseball cap, that snaps in the back to adjust the fit. The snaps are most often plastic even if a hat is made of wool, cotton, or other material.
Strapback hat: A term used to describe a hat, typically a baseball cap, that uses a strap in the back to adjust the fit. Strapbacks come in a number of different materials including cotton, nylon, or leather.
Stovepipe hat: Also known as a top hat or silk hat, a stovepipe hat is among the most distinctive hat styles with a tall cylindrical crown and slightly curved brim. A popular mens hat style from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century, this topper is most associated with Abraham Lincoln and Uncle Sam.
Sweatband: Also called the inner band, this is the hat’s interior band that helps ensure a good fit and keeps the hat shape intact. It’s always located just above the hat’s underbrim and often made of leather or synthetic leather-like material.
T
Top hat: Also known as a stovepipe hat or silk hat, a top hat is among the most distinctive hat styles with a tall cylindrical crown and slightly curved brim. A popular mens hat style from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century, this topper is most associated with Abraham Lincoln and Uncle Sam.
Toquilla straw: A type of straw from Ecuador from the leaves of the Carludovica palmata plant, otherwise known as the toquilla palm or jipijapa palm. The only type of straw used in the creation of authentic Panama hats.
Toyo straw: A type of shiny, smooth straw, usually from Japan, made with shellacked rice paper.
Trilby hat: Often confused for the fedora because of its similar crown shape, the trilby is characterized by an ultra-short brim. (Learn more with our trilby vs. fedora guide.) Referred to as a "stingy brim" hat because it measures an inch and a half or less, trilbies come in various fabrics from cotton and straw to wool and synthetic materials.
Trucker hat: A style named after truck drivers that was popularized in the early 2000s by actor Ashton Kutcher, the trucker hat is a type of snapback baseball cap made from mesh.
U
UPF: An acronym for Ultraviolet Protection Fabric, UPF is the benchmark used to measure the effectiveness of sun protective fabrics against both UVB and UVA rays. Hats that incorporate UPF are increasingly popular. See our guide to the best sunblock hats.
V
Visor: Another word for brim or bill, this is the stiff protruding part at the front of a cap that shields your eyes. It’s also a crownless style of hat with a strap that fits around the head.
W
Western hat: Commonly called a cowboy hat, this iconic style is most associated with the American West, although it was originally inspired by Mexican cattle herders in the 19th century. Western hats can be made of felt, leather, straw, or other blends with a tall, creased crown and wide brim that is either flat or rolled upward at the sides. Western hats vary in crown shape — popular styles are center crease, teardrop, or diamond. American actor John Wayne popularized the hat in his numerous Western movies that spanned from the 1940s to the 1970s.
Wide brim: Term used to describe a brim that is at least 3 inches wide. Wide brim hats are good for sun protection and come in many styles from fedora and boater to safari and cowboy hats.
Wool: A natural fiber that is shorn directly from a sheep's coat.
Wool felt: Material used to make many hats produced by using heat, moisture, and pressing wool fibers together.
