Summer Hats for Petite Women – How to Choose & Style the Perfect Hat to Suit Your Small Frame in 2023

by Stephanie Yankova PUBLISHED May 19, 2023

The hat is one of the most beloved accessories to women all across the globe with a rich history that dates back centuries. From its emergence in Ancient Egypt where upper-class men used to shave their heads and used headdresses as a means of cooling down through the chaperon hats from medieval times all the way to the Middle Ages where the hat was a symbol of high class and present days when the hat has become an inseparable accessory in the wardrobe of both men and women. A lot more versatile and design-led than they used to be in the past, the modern hat is not only a fashion statement but also a purposeful practical accessory adapted to the requirements of every season, weather, and occasion. However, what most people oftentimes struggle with is finding the right silhouette and fit that suits not only the size of their head but also the proportions of their body. As a petite woman, I’ve always found it quite difficult to find a summer hat that suits me well, because usually I either end up looking way more tiny than I already am, or it just makes my silhouette appear disproportionate. If you too are a petite woman in search of the perfect summer hat, keep reading to find out what are the most suitable sun hats that won’t be able to get enough of this summer!

Table of Contents

Summer Hats for Petite Women – What to Avoid?
How to Choose the Perfect Hat for Petite Women with a Small Frame?
- Can Short Women Wear Fedoras?
The Best Summer Hats for Petite Women

Summer Hats for Petite Women – What to Avoid?

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As I mentioned above, the biggest obstacle petite women run into when buying a hat is that the majority of the commercially mass-produced hats are based on general standard measurements which unfortunately most times do not fit those with a small frame. The hats you should absolutely avoid if you don’t want to look like a child that has put together an outfit from her mom’s closet, are:

oversized extra large wide brim sun hats
straw hats with bows
flare hats with strings
any big hats with a chin tie

How to Choose the Perfect Hat for Petite Women with a Small Frame?

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The main thing you must keep in mind when buying a hat is that it shouldn’t be overbearing in comparison to your figure. The hat should be in coherence with the rest of your outfit, not a statement piece that draws all the attention to itself, because that may lead to achieving the opposite result. Other important factors to take into consideration are:

Flat hats – Paperboy hats and flat caps are best suitable for people with bigger heads and overall body frames. If you’re a petite woman this kind of hat will only make your figure appear smaller
Color coordination – When your hat matches the colors of the rest of your outfit, it creates the illusion of an elongated frame. However, don’t go for the full monochromatic look as this will have an opposite effect. Instead, play around with the undertones and choose colors that are complementary, yet not completely identical.
Try wearing your hat at an angle – I know it may sound silly, but tilted hats actually create an illusion of height. A little trick I use to help me keep my hat in one place when I wear it at an angle is to pin it at the back or on the sides of my hair with bobby pins.

Read also: 12 Bucket Hat Outfits Proving That the 90s are Back in Full Effect

Can Short Women Wear Fedoras?

Yes, you can absolutely wear a fedora! The one rule you should follow when shopping for a fedora as a petite woman is to make sure that the brim isn’t wider than your shoulders. If the brim extends beyond your shoulders you will get the undesired effect of narrowing your body frame.

The Best Summer Hats for Petite Women

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Now that we’ve learned what NOT to do when choosing and wearing a summer hat for our petite figures, it’s time to take a look at the hat designs that actually work in our favor! Take notes, ladies, these are the best hats that are going to take you from petite to appetizing in the blink of an eye!