Costume Hats

Sometimes a hat is the whole costume

A handful of hats carry an entire character on their own. A pointed witch's hat, a tricorn, a ten-gallon, a policeman's cap — put any of them on with ordinary clothes and the costume is done. For a last-minute dress-up day this is the shortcut worth knowing.

Fit and how to fix it

Costume hats generally come in one size per age band, which means they run loose on some heads and tight on others. A loose hat is easily adjusted with foam tape or a strip of felt inside the band; a tight one cannot be let out, so choose the larger option when in doubt.

For outdoor events, a hat that needs holding on will spend the evening in someone's hand.

Structure

Stiffened hats hold their shape and photograph well, but they take up room and crush in a bag. Soft fabric hats pack flat and travel easily, trading away some definition. Choose based on how far the hat has to travel before it is worn.

For children

Lighter is better. A heavy or oversized hat slips forward over the eyes constantly, and a child will simply stop wearing it. Child-sized hats with an internal drawstring or elastic stay put.

Storage

Store stiffened hats upright and stuffed lightly with tissue so the crown holds. Flattening them in a box is what turns a good hat into a misshapen one.