Peak seasonal picks are always wins when it comes to hats, but there are a lot of us out here that really want to have a hat (or two... or few...) with a wider range of seasonal wear.
This of course leads to the question: what dictates a multiseasonal hat?
Luckily, we have some experience in this department, so let's take a look at some quick tips and tricks to helping you find hats that'll keep you covered through most seasons, if not make nice year-round options as well!
Flexible Palettes
The easiest route when it comes to colors not limited to seasons is of course leaning toward neutrals like shades of tans and browns, olives, navy and grays or blacks.
What about white?
White remains one that the seasonal cut-off remains very cut and dry for a lot folks because it's just been so oddly engrained in the social psyche.
That "no white after Labor Day" rule has its own murky waters stemming from as far back as the early 1900s, but you know, we'll just say it:
Some rules are okay to break in our opinion.
As for non-neutral colors, well, it may be easier for some to swing less saturated colors through multiple seasons, but in the end, that's more of a personal call per your own wardrobe. It comes down to comfort level, and if you want to rock that hat? Rock it!
A Matter of Weight
As for weight, hats made in medium weight, breathable materials are going to give you the longest wear. They won't be too hot due to their breathability, but will have enough heft to give some comfort yet during a frosty nip.
Cotton and cotton canvas are the great places to start when considering materials. Easy to clean, and highly durable, cotton is also hypoallergenic so it's comfortable to wear without any worry for irritation--which is also why most of our caps are lined with cotton inside!
Prime examples to consider are our Wigens Peter as a cotton choice, and the Belfry Lambro for a thicker, cotton canvas material.
Linen and hemp are also catching on for multiseasonal wear, and are a combo we personally have been trying to grow a selection of due to mindful, sustainable slow fashion that comes with their production. Heavier and lined options of both will last for many years to come if you take care of them, making them investment pieces well worth having.
If you're a fan of linens, definitely check out our fashionable open newsboy, the Belfry Marsala, and if you're into the bucket hat craze, the Belfry Mazaro sports a fun striped pattern and is a linen/hemp blend, while the Belfry Morla is a fully hemp option both lined in cotton!
For fans of leather, suedes are the perfect multiseasonal option due to their inherent lightness. If anything, suedes may hold up better in moderate to warmer months because there's less risk of inclement weather that would otherwise ruin them!
We were honestly floored with how light and soft our new Belfry Pienza is when we first received it, and with its added venting and neutral tones, it is an absolute favorite for us here.
Weather Durability
Something more to consider in a multiseasonal hat is its durability in such inclement weather. While suedes are definitely not fans of rain, there are other options that can be used alternatively.
One of the first that springs to mind are treated felts. These hats have gone through waterproofing treatments to hold up against surprise showers any time of the year, and the Belfry Bartolo and Belfry Zacheo are also crushable for added durability.
You can also treat one of your well-loved hats with a waterproofing spray like what you'll find in our Hat Care Cleaning Set. (We do of course suggest doing a little spot test on the underside of the brim if your felt is a bright color just to make sure the treatment isn't going to darken that beautiful hue!)
Another option is a waxed canvas. With the durability of cotton canvas, the extra weatherproofing afforded by simply waxing the material can add the extra heft needed to make sure you're covered rain or shine.
The Belfry McNally is an example of a brimmed style treated as such, but you can also wax your own hats with a beeswax bar you can usually acquire from shops specializing in gear for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, etcetera. As with the felt treatment sprays, you'll want to do a spot test because some color shifting may occur, but it's a safe and easy way to treat your hat and can easily be touched up as needed. The only real con to waxing your cotton canvas cap or hat is it'll take away the breathability of the material, so keep that in mind!
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It's honestly amazing how wide of a range most hats will have in their wear--or what you can do to help extend their use with helping them hold up against the weather. If you're looking for a new hat to swing through most of the year, definitely check out our newly curated All Year Wear section of styles, and keep an eye out for what we add there!
If you have any question on these or any styles we offer, feel free to reach out to our customer service at 888-999-HATS (4287) or email us at hats@hatsinthebelfry.com. Want to shop in person? Come say hi at our store located downtown in Annapolis at 103 Main Street. We'll look forward to seeing you!
