While it's tempting to remove layers of clothing to keep as cool as possible, it's better to protect your body effectively. And there's one area we often forget to cover: our heads.
We then have several choices, including wearing a hat. And that's when the problems start: "yes, but you understand, I don't have a hat face, it doesn't suit me", "I'm afraid of looking ridiculous" and so on.
But what if we told you that there's a hat for every face shape, and that it's possible to find the one that suits you best? Not sure?
Find out in this article which hat to wear with a guayabera and sublimate your summer look!
According to several sources, hats are one of the oldest items in our wardrobe. In fact, since prehistoric times, in addition to the first items of clothing, man has used fur to cover his face and, more broadly, his head.
During the excavation of the Arene Candide cave in Italy, Arturo Issel, founder of the Institute of Geology at the University of Genoa, discovered human remains. Near the top of the skull, he found a bone from the caudal vertebra of a squirrel.
Antiquity brought it a new function: that of a sign of social status. Thus, freed Roman slaves wore the Pileus, a kind of felt cap that later inspired the Phrygian cap, one of the symbols of the French Republic and even of the French people in general.
Over the ages, the hat developed and adopted new shapes. Felt was used in its composition, and feathers were added to make it even more elegant.
However, one particular style of hat was to come into its own: the modern hat as we know it today. Like its ancestor, the Pileus, it carries with it a number of social codes.
The most concrete example is undoubtedly the top hat, still very much in vogue today. Around the 19th century, the hat became part of the "perfect gentleman" ensemble. It was taken off one's head to say hello, or to enter an enclosed space of any kind, as a sign of respect for the people inside.
Although this tradition has been somewhat lost, it is still relatively present. At the beginning of the 20th century, top hats were worn only for important ceremonies, such as weddings. It then gave way to a simpler, easier-to-wear form, the bowler hat, which became an everyday accessory. At the same time, the cap left the battlefields to dress the heads of workers and, more broadly, the common people.
Before listing the different types of hat and the materials used to make them, it's best to look at the parts that make up a hat.
Classically, a hat is made up of three parts: the crown, the cap and the brim. The crown is nothing more or less than the upper part of the hat, the part that frames and covers our skull.
The crown represents the top of the cap. Note that there are different crowns: bowl (or round), teardrop (or teardrop), center dent (or split), telescope (or oval) and diamond (or diamond) for the best known.
Finally, the brim is nothing more or less than the horizontal part of the hat. Depending on the shape, the brim will be wider or narrower. There may also be a pinch on the front of the cap, or a braid around the edge.
Of course, the hat has undergone a number of shapes and transformations since its creation. So as not to mention them all, we'll concentrate in this section on the current models we're most likely to come across.
Canotier hat: an oval-capped hat with a flat crown, it can have a wider or narrower brim. It first appeared in France in the 19th century, as part of the uniform worn by French sailors on canoes (hence its name).
At the beginning of the 20th century, it entered its second life and became a fashion object, thanks in particular to the trend to dress children as little sailors. At the same time, it was also seen in the stands at sporting events. In fact, it's one of the few hats to have been worn by both sides of society: the working class and the bourgeoisie.
The fedora hat: the classic among classics. Popularized from the 19th century onwards, it has taken on a variety of connotations throughout history, most notably as a gangster's accessory during Prohibition.
With its split crown and wide brims, it's instantly recognizable. Italian hatmaker Giuseppe Borsalino is partly responsible for this craze. For short, the fedora is often referred to as a borsalino.
The panama or Jipi japa hat: you could be mistaken, but the panama hat doesn't come from the country of the same name, but from Ecuador!
This unique hat is characterized by the material used and the weaving technique of the young shoots of Ecuadorian palm trees called "carludivia palmita".
Each hat is woven entirely by hand, making it a true masterpiece of craftsmanship. The final quality of the hat depends on a number of factors, including the type of weave and the precision with which it is made.
The most exclusive models require meticulous work that can take up to a month to complete. Craftsmen pay attention to every detail, from the fineness of the weave to the impeccable finish, to guarantee exceptional quality.
Pork pie Hat: very much in vogue in the '30s, this hat made a comeback a few seasons ago. The low-crowned hat has a short, slightly raised brim.
The crown is flat, but features a slight circular indentation at the tip. Made of felt or straw, it's relatively easy to wear.
Trilby hat: mixes two shapes, that of the fedora (it is designed in the same way) and the pork pie hat, due to its very short brim.
Very popular in the '80s, it fell out of favor and has recently come back. Rather simple, it can be worn as part of a casual outfit, with a t-shirt for a relaxed look.
The bowler hat: immediately recognizable, the bowler hat is distinguished by its rounded shape. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was mainly found in formal, elegant wardrobes, although it was originally designed for casual wear.
Rather simple, it can be worn with a wide range of outfits, from the most formal to the most casual.
The top hat: undoubtedly the most chic hat a man can wear. Since its invention in the 1800s, it has rapidly become the standard for social occasions.
A true social marker of the 19th-century bourgeois man, it confers a certain elegance, making him appear taller. Wearing a top hat in those days conveyed a certain message: I'm respectable, I'm rich and I have a high social standing. Today, top hats are worn mainly for traditional ceremonies.
Depending not only on its shape, but also on its general style and intended use, the hat will be made from one material or another. Let's take a look at the most commonly used materials.
Felt: undoubtedly the most widely used material for hats. Felt is divided into two categories: wool felt and hair felt.
Wool felt generally comes from sheep or lambs. Very robust, it is insulating and resistant. It is also soft to the touch and less shiny than hair felt. Although water-resistant, it is not suitable for heavy rain.
Hair felt is mainly made from rabbit or beaver fur. Lighter than wool felt, it is also of better quality, finer and more resistant to the test of time. It's considered the epitome of elegance.
Straw hats: these include a variety of styles. One example is the panama hat, made from finely braided Carludovica Palmata. Raffia straw, on the other hand, comes from the Raphia ruffia palm. Very light, it is braided more widely and is very pleasant to wear, mainly thanks to its great suppleness.
A more classic straw can also be used for certain types of hat, such as the boater hat. In this case, the straw is more rigid, so the hats won't roll or twist.
Finally, it's not uncommon to find hats made from paper. Made from a mixture of cooked straw and lime, the paper is then finely woven, giving it incomparable flexibility and lightness. Another point not to be overlooked is its very affordable price.
Cotton: it's more often found on light, summery models like the bucket hat. Like our clothing, it has the advantage of being light and breathable. Its suppleness allows greater freedom of movement, so it can be used on a wide range of shapes.
Leather: like felt, it can be used to make just about any type of hat. Depending on the shape you choose, it will have different finishes: bristly, smooth, crusty, grained, etc. Very robust, it can give a raw look to the hat.
Polyester: an artificial fabric whose characteristics make it a practical and efficient option for hat-making. In addition to being durable and resistant to many chemicals, this material is also resistant to shrinking, stretching, creasing and abrasion. It's also an inexpensive material, making it easy to create inexpensive headwear.
Now that you know the basics, let's get to the heart of the matter. As mentioned in the introduction, every face has its own hat shape. So, in order to know if a hat fits you or not, it's best to know your face shape!
As a reminder, there are 5 main face shapes: round, square rectangle, oval, oblong, triangle, inverted triangle and diamond. When it comes to choosing a hat, there are four main shapes: square, oval, round and heart-shaped.
For a slim face, a hat with a short brim is preferable, as the opposite will accentuate its slenderness. Conversely, a wide-brimmed hat is best for a round face.
An oval face will have the privilege of wearing just about any shape of hat, as long as a certain balance is respected. In short, it's all a question of balance and proportion.
The only thing to bear in mind is that we must be careful not to accentuate our facial features, whatever they may be.
Surprisingly, our morphology also comes into play when it comes to choosing a hat. So, if you're short, it's best to choose a hat with a short brim, which won't crowd your figure. On the other hand, taller people prefer wide-brimmed hats.
A high-crowned hat is more suitable for shorter people, while a medium to low-crowned hat is more suitable for taller people. It's also advisable to choose wide-brimmed hats to reduce the effect of protruding ears.
Finally, having a large forehead and/or nose is not incompatible with wearing a hat - you'll just have to tilt it further forward!
Square face: fedora, melon and trilby hats are preferred, porkpie hats to be avoided.
Of course, a hat is the perfect complement to a guayabera for a casual look. It allows you to create a trendy summer look. This can include solid-colored shorts or linen pants and a short-sleeved guayabera.
You can complete your outfit with a pair of shoes or sandals. The choice of hat can be a soft felt or straw version for a successful summer vibe.
If you're looking for a more elegant look, the hat can be integrated with a white guayabera or a long-sleeved guayabera. Depending on your face shape and body type, choose the hat shape that suits you best.
Then it's a question of taste and style: your guayabera with pockets and a jipi japa hat for a turn-of-the-century Cuban touch. You can choose to match the color of the hat to the rest of your outfit or opt for a contrast.
For the perfect beach look, a hat is an essential accessory. Opt for a lightweight, breathable straw hat that will protect you from the sun while adding a touch of style to your beach outfit.
You can wear it with a stylish swimsuit, a tropical guayabera or embroidered guayabera and comfortable sandals for a casual, summery look.
If you're looking for a quality hat, look no further! Our collection of Jipi japa hats, also known as Panama Hats, is for you.
Discover our wide selection of handcrafted hats, using young palm shoots, in the purest panama style.
The craftsmen who master this ancestral art carefully select the young palm shoots, peel and dry them. Then they use intricate weaving techniques to create the varied patterns and designs that give the hat its unique appearance.
The Jipi japa hat is much more than just a fashion accessory. It's a symbol of Mexican craftsmanship and a testament to traditional skills handed down from generation to generation. By wearing a hat of this nature, you add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your outfit, while supporting Mexican craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
We offer a variety of models, but you should know that our most exclusive hats require up to a month's work, reflecting the quality and attention to detail that characterize them.
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