Dads. First, we worship them, then we mock them, then we steal their style. As dad-age adults ourselves, we’ve already snagged their dad shoes and made them our own. Then we appropriated dad jeans. We went after their cardigans and Crocs, and now we’re after their headwear.
That’s right, the best dad hats are the newest evolution of the dad fashion trend.
SPY went looking for the best dad hats that we could find, and now we offer up our selection for your enjoyment and delight.
What Counts as a Dad Hat?
You’ve seen President Obama, Nick Jonas, Rihanna, the Dalai Lama, Seth Rogen, Tyler the Creator and Kim Kardashian wearing dad hats. Everybody, including your dad, is sporting this egalitarian hat style. But what makes a dad hat?
In our experience, the best dad hats are — surprise, surprise — baseball hats. Typically, these hats have five to six panels, a rounded crown, curved brim, and can be a touch too big for your head. Dad hats can also include team hats (one of Obama’s favorite dad hats is his Chicago White Sox hat).
Somewhere in the mid-’90s celebrities started wearing these hats to stop the paparazzi from hounding them, and the style became popular. Think of Spike Lee and his signature red dad hat. Dad hats have gone from a way to hide one’s face to a trendy must-have and now a wardrobe staple.
What Are the Best Dad Hats?
While there are exceptions to this rule, such as bucket hats and hiking sun hats, the best, most quintessential dad hats are baseball camps with some type of dorky and/or retro flair. We also love hats that reference dad-approved brands or media properties. Some popular examples include the Schitt’s Creek Rosebud Motel hat, the Bass Pro Shops trucker hat, and the Levi’s logo baseball cap. In the aughts, young people liked to wear kitschy trucker hats ironically, but the modern dad hat trend is all about earnestness.
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So what are the best dad hats? They’re the ones you unironically love and wear with pride. To help you bring dorky charm to your summer outfits, we’ve collected our favorite dad hats of 2022 for you below.
1. Daddy Dad Hat
BEST OVERALL
That’s right, it’s the ultimate dad hat — the daddy baseball cap. Worn by the famous and infamous alike, this is the topper of toppers, the best dad hat ever made. Here’s a cheeky way to let the world know that you’re in charge.
2. Levi’s Logo Baseball Hat
RUNNER UP
This simple Levi’s baseball cap is the kind of accessory you might keep in your glove box or in the trunk of your car. You throw it on when you need to cover up a bad hair day or when it’s just too dang hot out there. Available in both black and white, it’s a classic dad hat that will go with anything.
3. Urban Outfitters Country Club Dad Hat
PREPPY PICK
This Urban Outfitters dad hat is just what you need to rock at the bars or the laundromat. It’s got a classic fit and muted colors with an embroidery featuring tennis rackets and the words “country club.” Even if you’ve never stepped foot inside of a country club, this is an option you should highly consider. It’s just way too dope.
4. Champion Ameritage Dad Adjustable Cap
BEST BRAND
It’s safe to say that Champion is one of the coolest brands of the 20s. Something you probably never thought you would have said 25 years ago, huh? This classic hat is adjustable and features the Champion logo from and center.
5. Bass Pro Shops Mesh Trucker Cap
THE BASICS
Dad likes to fish, hunt, and spend his downtime outdoors. Dad drives a big-ass pickup truck with a tackle box full of the essentials, and he doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty fixing or building stuff. So how in heck does Dad not have this hat yet? Time to remedy that situation by getting him the Bass Pro Shops Mesh Trucker Cap. It’s inexpensive, it’s durable, and as great as it looks out of the box, it’ll look even better after he breaks it in with a few hundred hours of sweat. Dad kicks ass. So does this hat, in any of the 15 colors it’s available in.
6. Life Is Good Dad Hats
TIMELESS SLOGAN
Life is good. At least, it can be. And that’s why we like this simple and classic dad hat. Best of all, this hat is on sale, and you can save a couple of bucks. Those might not be huge savings, but we’re sure your old man would appreciate the discount all the same.
7. Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Chino Ball Cap
BEST OLD SKOOL
Looking for a subtle dad hat that you could wear to work, this dad hat fits the bill. Made of breathable cotton, it has an adjustable back strap.
8. Carhartt Medium Profile Dad Hat
MOST RUGGED
Nothing says “tough guy” like Carhartt does. For real, Carhartt has some of the world’s best clothing for dudes looking for rugged clothing, like this dad hat featuring the brand’s logo. This hat is covered in black with a brown logo so everyone knows you’re Carhartt’s biggest fan.
Read More: The Carhartt 2022 Workwear Style Guide
9. Urban Outfitters Smiley Dad Hat
MOST ADORABLE
This smiley face hat is sure to bring some positive vibes into whichever space you end up in while wearing it. That little guy is just way too cute, how can you not smile back?
10. Rosebud Motel Cap
BEST FOR SCHITT’S CREEK FANS
Love for Schitt’s Creek will not die; the series continues to stay on the top of “must-see TV” lists. This officially licensed hat showcases the embroidered Rosebud Motel logo on the front, and has a Velcro adjustable band in the back. On a personal note: I ended up buying this one while, ahem, researching this article.
(Editor’s note: Even though our author selected this hat independently, my actual dad does in fact own this exact Rosebud Motel baseball hat.)
11. Urban Outfitters Playboy Dad Hat
BEST FOR PLAYBOYS
Here’s a fun wear. Everyone will know what it is you’re repping, and this will match just about any outfit you throw on. Playboy is the ultimate boomer brand, which makes this the perfect dad hat for millennials and Gen Z.
12. Ebbets Field Flannels
BEST THROWBACKS
Ebbets Field Flannels makes authentic, eye-catching throwback baseball caps the way they used to be made, out of genuine wool. This vintage 1942 Kansas City Monarchs cap is a great replica of the ones worn by all-time legends Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson and Ernie Banks during their time in the Negro Leagues, so Dad can pay tribute to some of the great pioneers of baseball history and look awesome at the same time.
13. Urban Outfitters Corduroy Beer Baseball Hat
BEST FOR BEER LOVERS
A beer cap is necessary for anyone who loves to crack a cold one after a long day. Lucky for you, Urban Outfitters has a pretty neat take on the classic dad hat style with this corduroy Budweiser cap. Alexa, play “Corduroy Dreams” by Rex Orange County. And get me a beer while you’re at it!
14. Tough Headwear NASA Baseball Cap
BEST FOR SPACEY DUDES
Obsessed with space? Know someone who is? Then this is the perfect dad hat to rock. This hat featuring the NASA logo is an instant cherry on top of any outfit. Throw it on and you’re ready for whatever the day brings.
15. Hartford Whalers Vintage ’47 Clean Up
RETRO AWESOMENESS
Do you remember the Hartford Whalers? Maybe not, but it’s a safe bet your old man does. Nothing gives a guy more Dad Cred than rocking a throwback cap to a gone-but-not-forgotten team, and 47Brand.com has a deep bench of defunct-teams merch. Take Dad out for the day wearing his Whalers cap and just watch for the knowing nods from other dads or even the occasional “Raise the Whale!” comment. (The Whalers live in Raleigh, North Carolina, as the Carolina Hurricanes now, in case you were wondering. But Hartford fans will always hope for the return of the Whalers.)
16. Rose Embroidered Dad Hat
BEST FLORAL
Okay, so it’s not floral all over, but this embroidered, straightforward rose is enough for us. This dad hat will match just about anything you throw on Monday through Sunday and is sure to become your go-to.
17. Columbia Bora Bora Booney
BEST SUN HAT
We recently named this the “Best Overall” hat for hiking, and this popular Columbia sun hat is a popular accessory this summer. Dads everywhere will appreciate the fact that this wide-brimmed hat keeps you from overheating and provides UV protection. If you don’t like the grey version pictured below, this hat is also available in colors such as khaki.
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