A hat is one of the most personal things you can give, which is exactly why people hesitate. You don't know their head size. You're not sure what suits them. Here's how we'd do it, from the people who answer these questions every day.
1. Start with what they do, not what they wear
You don't need to know someone's style to buy them a hat. You need to know where they go. The beach person needs a straw sun hat they can roll into a tote. The one who heads for the mountains wants wool felt or a warm beanie. The one who's always on a plane needs something that survives a carry-on. Our gift guide is built this way: Beach & Getaway, Mountains & Cold Weather, Everyday Adventures and Little Luxuries.
2. Solve the size question
This is the one that stops most people. Two easy ways round it:
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Pick a one-size hat with an adjuster. Most Wyeth hats are one size, with a velcro adjuster inside the sweatband that sizes the hat down. Our An Easier Fit edit only includes one-size styles that fit heads up to 57 cm or more, so they suit most adults.
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Measure quietly. Borrow a hat they already wear and measure around the inside of the band, or check our size guide for how to measure a head. If they wear a large size, start with hats for large heads.
3. Match the material to the season
Wool felt is warm and holds its shape, and our packable felt fedoras fold into a bag and recover. Straw and raffia are for sun and heat. Cashmere and lambswool knits are the easy win for anyone who runs cold. Hat materials, explained has the detail.
4. Check how well it travels
Every Wyeth hat has a travel rating, from ●●●●● Travel Ready to ●○○○○ Best Carried. For someone who travels a lot, stay in the top two tiers. Here's how we rate them.
5. When in doubt, choose a classic shape
A wool felt fedora in a neutral (camel, black or ivory) is the safest hat gift there is. Billie is our best-known shape; Foley and Arden are the same silhouette with a different finish. A beanie is the easiest gift of all, because it doesn't need a size.
6. Or let them choose
If you're truly stuck, a gift card from $25 to $300 lets them pick. The Hat Lover's Gift Box pairs a gift card with a hat care kit and a leather travel hat clip, so there's still something to unwrap.
If it isn't right
They have 30 days from delivery to return or exchange unworn, undamaged items. Choose an exchange or store credit instead of a refund and we add 10% to the value of the return. Items bought at 25% off or more are final sale.
Shop the gift guide
How to Choose a Hat as a Gift (Even If You Don't Know Their Size)
A hat is one of the most personal things you can give, which is exactly why people hesitate. You don't know their head size. You're not sure what suits them. Here's how we'd do it, from the people who answer these questions every day.
1. Start with what they do, not what they wear
You don't need to know someone's style to buy them a hat. You need to know where they go. The beach person needs a straw sun hat they can roll into a tote. The one who heads for the mountains wants wool felt or a warm beanie. The one who's always on a plane needs something that survives a carry-on. Our gift guide is built this way: Beach & Getaway, Mountains & Cold Weather, Everyday Adventures and Little Luxuries.
2. Solve the size question
This is the one that stops most people. Two easy ways round it:
3. Match the material to the season
Wool felt is warm and holds its shape, and our packable felt fedoras fold into a bag and recover. Straw and raffia are for sun and heat. Cashmere and lambswool knits are the easy win for anyone who runs cold. Hat materials, explained has the detail.
4. Check how well it travels
Every Wyeth hat has a travel rating, from ●●●●● Travel Ready to ●○○○○ Best Carried. For someone who travels a lot, stay in the top two tiers. Here's how we rate them.
5. When in doubt, choose a classic shape
A wool felt fedora in a neutral (camel, black or ivory) is the safest hat gift there is. Billie is our best-known shape; Foley and Arden are the same silhouette with a different finish. A beanie is the easiest gift of all, because it doesn't need a size.
6. Or let them choose
If you're truly stuck, a gift card from $25 to $300 lets them pick. The Hat Lover's Gift Box pairs a gift card with a hat care kit and a leather travel hat clip, so there's still something to unwrap.
If it isn't right
They have 30 days from delivery to return or exchange unworn, undamaged items. Choose an exchange or store credit instead of a refund and we add 10% to the value of the return. Items bought at 25% off or more are final sale.
Shop the gift guide