Should a hat band always be darker than the hat?

[Vladimir Berkov]

Looking at my Akubra federation I was thinking it might look sharp with a band which is a light fawn or camel color. But basically all the hats I have seen have bands which are darker than the hat color, not lighter.

Is having a lighter colored band some sort of faux-pas?

 

[Flitcraft]

The puggaree band on an Aussie bush hat is often lighter- hat is olive and band is khaki.

 

[BellyTank]

A lighter, or contrasting band can make for a very nice effect-
Check 'Root and Deckard's 'brown' (?) hats with 'orange' bands.
Maybe a less formal look- very nice anyway.

B
T

 

[Rigby Reardon]

Check 'Root and Deckard's 'brown' (?) hats with 'orange' bands.

Matt's hat is EXACTLY what I was thinking of when I read that question! Thanks for giving me an opportunity to work in a compliment for him on that...sweet hat, Matt.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

All my felts have a band the same color as the hat.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I'm not partial to lighter hatbands, generally, but I could see it working on the Fed. I liked Matt's too, but usually it bugs me. It's just a matter of taste, Vladimir.:fedora:

 

[The Wingnut]

Wearer preference, from what I figure.

If you have a lot of hats, it would be a nice touch to match the ribbon to the tie / pocket square / accents and the body of the hat to the suit. I have a hat / suit / tie combo like this. Tan / camel suit & hat, copper / rust tie, pocket square, shoes and ribbon.

I've seen lighter ribbons, and hats with ribbons matched to the body. I just traded a nice dark brown fedora with a caramel-colored ribbon. Very attractive, just wasn't my size.

 

[CacheGreen]

Monochrome is very cool.

I have my hats made monochromatically. For pure function I prefer your basic fedora with both the band and edge trim similar to the hat color. The intent is a dead match, however there's obviously never an exact match with the differing materials (felt and grosgrain) and the sheen of the band and trim adds to the look. In my case this is useful as I have the brims made slightly wider and flatter to 2 7/8" for sun protection and the monochrome approach compensates for the added volume keeping the hat looking well-proportioned. I keep the hat band at 1" to further temper the hat.

In my observation this idea is a more European approach as they can be a bit more understated at given times and especially during and following the 1940's in the more spartan locales.

 

[Andykev]

It all depends on your taste

The coices are unlimited. A contrasting band is more "stylish" and affects the loverall look of the hat.

Most of my hats (gray, and dove gray) have black or very dark bands. The ribbon binding on the edge matches the hat body. Conservative, traditional.

Placing a light binding (edge) on a dark hat, or a dark edging on a light hat, can alter the look of the brim width. I am not a fan of "wildly incompatable" colors.

The crown ribbon, also, can make the hat appear much different. I have a gray silverish tone (Dobbs vintage) with a silver ribbon. It really brightens up the look. I also have an Optimo light grey-blueish hat, with an almost silver-blue band. Makes for a lighter presentation.

My best experience was working-watching Art Fawcett. We crafted (ok I was just a color consultant) several hats (he did) where he has literally hundreds of vintage ribbon of every color hue and width. You can be truly amazed when you hold the ribbon up to the hat and swap different shades and colors. You know when you get the right combination. It is very fun to do also.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Speaking of Art Fawcett I usually let him pick my ribbon since he a Artist!! So far I have been very happy.

 

[nightandthecity]

In the 40s there was a fashion for light hat bands and light ties worn with dark hats and dark shirts among gangsters and those who aspired to looking tough. By the 50s and 60s this had become white bands on black hats and white ties with black shirts. I am embarrassed to recall I cultivated this look for a while in my early teens.....

 

[Michaelson]

All my felts have a band the same color as the hat.

That's how I like mine too, Bob, or as close to matching as possible.

Regards! Michaelson

 

[Michael Mallory]

Well, that's one of those questions that you can answer by saying hat bands should always be darker, except when they're not. Personally, I favor bands one shade darker than the hat felt...except when I don't.