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How To Wear a Homburg Hat: Style Guide for Men

Fashion trends come and go. Sometimes they even make a comeback after disappearing from the limelight for ages. We at DapperFam always recommend having at least one timeless classic in...

how to wear homburg hats

Fashion trends come and go. Sometimes they even make a comeback after disappearing from the limelight for ages. We at DapperFam always recommend having at least one timeless classic in your sky piece rotation. The Homburg hat is one such timeless classic and might be exactly what you’re looking for. So look no further. This hat style is guaranteed to make any outfit seem elegant, casual, and distinct.

The Homburg is a semi-formal men’s hat. It was designed with a stiffened felt and a high, tapering crown. Originally inspired by the Tyrolean folk hat with its central crease on top, the homburg claims a slightly curled brim with braid-trimmed edges, and a ribbon around the crown.

Just a bit of background: this timeless classic of a men’s hat originally came from Germany and was named after Bad Homburg, a spa and resort town in Frankfurt. In the 1890s, it became a popular men’s hat in England thanks to Edward VII, the Prince of Wales, who brought the hat from Germany.

It’s said that the Prince was visiting his cousin in Homburg and supposedly bought the hat in Mockel, a well-known hat store at the time.

The Homburg hat has since been worn by some of the most powerful men in the world. Its availability made its way to the populous where it eventually became a fashion staple proper for both day and evening wear.

Now that you’ve learned its history, understand that modern fashion champions this hats versatility. Read on if you happen to own a Homburg hat for some tips on how to wear this timeless classic:

Suit it up

One of the best ways to style your Homburg hat is to wear it with a suit and tie. Formal attires like tuxedos and stroller suits are classic and can never go out of style. Not only is it fashionable, but also a timeless choice.

You can also wear this outfit with a bowtie or a pocket square to get that dapper look. Everybody loves a neat and trim appearance. This style is suitable for different events and occasions such as weddings, tea parties, and formal meetings.

For a less or semi-formal look, you can wear an ordinary suit and a white polo shirt inside and finish it off with your Homburg hat. As for the shoes, brogues and oxfords are a classic choice.

A Casual Day

You can pair a Homburg hat with a shirt and a pair of jeans if you’re just having an ordinary day or going to a non-formal event. This style is great for laid back gentlemen, as it gives a rugged and comfy look.

You can pair this hat with a long scarf and an overcoat to pull off that a la mode look during the winter or autumn season. Wearing a straw hat can make you look like someone who lives in the countryside. You can wear this hat on casual occasions like a pool party, a road trip, or when you’re just hanging out with your pals.

Did you know that you can also change your Homburg by pinching it? To do this, pinch your hat slightly from the middle while making it hollow on both sides to give your hat a different look.

Revive Old Trends

The Homburg is an all-around hat. From vintage to the ’80s to quirky, you can wear it with different outfits and effortlessly pull it off.

If you’re going for a formal look, pair your Homburg with a rough material Herringbone Tweed-fabric suit to give a classic vintage look. Waistcoats have also been a trend in the past, so why not pair this piece with your hat too? Roll up your sleeves a bit and loosen up your tie for a less formal look.

Back in the ’80s, men loved wearing hats with hoodies, pants, and a pair of glasses. So if you want to step away from anything formal and conventional, this outfit is both comfortable and stylish.

If you ever feel nostalgic and want to travel back in time, the gentleman look is also another old trend you can try. You can pull this off by wearing a three-piece suit and formal leather shoes. This style makes you look like a traditional Englishman in the 19th century.

Mix and Match

Typically, the Homburg looks best on old and more distinguished gentlemen – perhaps this is a reason why diplomats and politicians love the look. Men who have defined facial features are also suitable for this type of hat. However, despite the fact that not all of us qualify for these traits, thankfully we can still proudly wear a homburg!

You can always explore and experiment by mixing and matching different pieces. Besides, fashion is all about creativity and trying something new. Feel free to drift away from the regular trends.

Homburgs initially came in black, grey or dark/navy blue color ways, but thankfully fashion has opened up many different styles and colors! Try wearing a Homburg with a long coat or a casual jacket to finish off the effortless look.

Wear Your Homburg Hat With Confidence!

You don’t need a closet full of designer clothes and accessories to rock this hat. No matter how simple or quirky your style is, you can always top off this hat to complete any kind of outfit. The key is confidence here. Whether it’s a full suit or an athletic look, confidence is what makes the person wearing the outfit stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What does a Homburg hat look like?

A homburg is a semi-formal hat of fur felt, characterized by a single (center-)dent running down the gutter crown (the center of the crown), a flat or pencil-curled brim, a wide hatband ribbon, and a ribbon-bound trim around the edge of the brim. Homburg hats are traditionally produced in black or grey, but we carry nearly all colors to suit your needs.

What is the difference between a fedora and a homburg?

The Fedora hat is characterized by an indented crown and a soft brim, and is creased down the crown and pinched near the front on both sides. The Homburg, on the other hand, is a hat with a single center dent running down the ‘gutter crown’ or the center of the crown.

Who wears a homburg hat?

American president Dwight D. Eisenhower wore a black homburg instead of a top hat to his first inauguration in 1953. He was also seen wearing a homburg hat on other occasions. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill famously wore the hat as well. He further cemented it as an iconic men’s hat style in the 1950s. More recently, Al Pacino famously wore the style in the classic mobster film The Godfather. This appearance fittingly earned the Homburg the nickname, The Godfather.

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