Dads get a bad rap, yet we’re always stealing from them and making the supposedly uncool things they do and wear cool again – jokes, pants, bodies, and now hats. Everyone is wearing them from your actual dad to the 20-year-old Instagram influencer showing off her latest dance moves to the frat kids at the local university, and even children. Paparazzi are always catching celebrities in their dad hats, whether they’re wearing sweats or rocking a more fashion-forward look, one thing is clear: the dad hat is here to stay.

What exactly makes a hat a dad hat? Well, I’m glad you asked. Dad hats used to mean a baseball hat with a snapback but the phrase has recently evolved and developed in recent years.

Simply put, a dad hat is a 6-panel baseball cap with unstructured front panels and simple logos. Dad hats lack the extras of snapback, trucker, and fitted caps. At their most basic, they are something your dad would wear. If you’re still struggling to picture what exactly a dad hat is, here is a breakdown to help you visualize so you can be well-informed and impress all your friends.

Curved Brim

Remember the days when you would get a new baseball hat and you would have to break in the brim? I would put rubber bands around it to curve it, put it in a laundry bag and wash it and wash it, trying to soften it up and give it a more lived-in appearance. Gone are those days! 

Now, a dad hat will have a pre-curved brim. Mainly because these look good on everyone but also because sometimes dads are just too busy to deal with breaking in a brim. With work, kids, wives/partners, and hobbies, who has the time? A pre-curved brim intentionally looks more comfortable and relaxed.

A snapback trucker hat tends to have a flatter, wider brim and are usually much stiffer.

Relaxed Fit

Since dads have the reputation of being easy-going and relaxed, it only makes sense this is part of what makes a dad hat an actual dad hat. They are usually made out of a soft cotton or canvas fabric and feel light –  as if you’re not really wearing a hat.