How to Wear a Zoot Suit Hat

You don’t need a zoot suit to wear a zoot suit hat. But you do need the hat and plenty of attitude. Also commonly known as a fedora, the zoot suit hat is a charming accessory, worn by everyone from gangsters to lounge lizards and dozens in between. The hat is still worn today, by both men and women, and you can be the next one to don one with a few simple tips on how to wear a zoot suit hat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Zoot suit hat, also known as a fedora
• Outfit that compliments the hat
• Attitude

1. Find the hat. Take a peek at your local hat store or online at hat styles for the latest in fedoras. Black is always in style, but feel free to go wild in a red or azure hue. You can also switch the hat’s band or tie a decorative scarf around the base to match your given outfit.

2. Place the hat on your head. Make sure you have the right size. You can measure around your head, where you normally would wear a headband, to get your size in inches and go from there. Once you have a hat that fits, wear it tilted down a bit with the brim slightly unfolded in front, kind of like a shady gangster would, but without going overboard.

3. Don the zoot suit hat with a modern suit. Guys, or even gals, look simply dashing with a modern suit topped with a fedora. The trick is to wear it with a suit that has some gangster vibes, like a three-piece vested suit, or one with large lapels that gives a nod to the styles of the 1940s. Double-breasted jackets are also a hit with a zoot suit hat.

4. Wear it with jeans and a simple top, even a plain white T-shirt. Don’t pick a printed shirt, but a plain tee, ragged jeans and shiny shoes can be topped off with a hat. You can enhance the hat’s charm if you throw on a vest with this outfit.

5. Pair it with a frilly skirt and tailored blouse or vest. The masculine hat will be a hit with a very feminine skirt worn beneath a manly shirt and vest.

Tips & Warnings

• The trick to wearing the hat successfully lies in making it match with at least one other accessory. That’s why you need the shiny shoes with the jeans, the double-breasted with the suit or the masculine shirt with the frilly skirt.
• Never wear the zoot suit hat in sweltering hot weather. Not only will you look dumb, but your head will sweat and possibly ruin the hat.
• Don’t wear a fedora with a ball gown, a wedding dress or anything that resembles outfits worn by flamenco dancers.