Earrings by Face Shape: Which Styles Work and Why

Earrings sit at the jaw, which makes them one of the most effective ways to change how an outfit frames the face. Choosing earrings by face shape follows the same principle as glasses and hats — contrast — applied to three details: how long the earring is, how wide it is, and whether its shape is curved or angular.

This guide applies that principle to the six face shapes. It is about proportion, not about changing how a face looks, and preference always outranks the table. More in our Body Shape Styling section.

Contrast the face: longer, linear earrings suit rounder faces; rounded and wider earrings suit angular and longer faces. Studs work on everyone.

If you are not sure of your face shape, the detector works from measurements, a quiz, or an on-device photo.

Three Details That Decide It

Length

A long drop adds a vertical line; a stud or short hoop keeps things compact. Longer faces tend to suit shorter earrings, and shorter faces longer ones.

Width

Wide earrings — large hoops, chandeliers, clusters — add width at the jaw. They work best where the jaw is narrower than the forehead or cheekbones.

Shape

Curved earrings soften angular features; angular or linear earrings add definition to softly curved ones.

Earrings for Each Face Shape

Oval

Almost every style works. This is the shape where personal style decides most. Read more about the oval face shape.

Round

Long, linear drops and angular shapes add a vertical line and some definition. Rectangular and geometric drops work particularly well. Read more about the round face shape.

Square

Rounded shapes — hoops, circles, soft teardrops — sit well against a strong jaw. Medium to long lengths work well. Read more about the square face shape.

Heart

Earrings wider at the bottom than the top — teardrops, chandeliers, triangular drops — add width at the jaw, where the heart shape is narrowest. Read more about the heart face shape.

Diamond

Studs, teardrops and earrings with fullness at the bottom work well with prominent cheekbones. Read more about the diamond face shape.

Oblong

Shorter, wider earrings — large studs, clusters, wide hoops — add width rather than length. Read more about the oblong face shape.

Face shapeWorks especially wellLength
OvalAlmost anyAny
RoundLinear and geometric dropsLong
SquareHoops, circles, soft teardropsMedium to long
HeartTeardrops, chandeliersMedium
DiamondStuds, teardropsShort to medium
OblongLarge studs, clusters, wide hoopsShort
Long linear gold bar drop earrings on linen. Large round gold hoop earrings on linen. Gold teardrop earrings on linen. Small gold cluster stud earrings on linen. These are tendencies, not rules. Studs suit every face shape, and an earring you love is worth wearing whatever the table says.

Beyond Face Shape

Hair

Short hair and hair worn up show more of the earring and suit bolder styles; long hair worn down can hide small earrings and suits drops that hang below it. See haircuts by face shape.

Neckline

A high neckline suits studs or short earrings; an open neckline leaves room for longer drops.

Glasses

Bold frames and bold earrings compete. If you wear strong frames daily, simpler earrings often work better. See glasses for your face shape.

Gold, Silver and Colour

The metal matters as much as the shape. Warm undertones often suit gold, cool undertones silver, and neutral and olive both. The undertone test gives a quick answer, and gold or silver for your undertone explains why. For stone colours, the colour analysis quiz helps choose shades that sit well against your colouring.

For everyday wear, one pair of small hoops or studs in your best metal covers most outfits. Add one statement pair for evenings.

When you are ready to buy, see European jewellery brands worth knowing, which also explains vermeil versus plated. For the rest of the accessories that frame the face, the best hats for your face shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose earrings for my face shape?

Contrast the face: longer, linear earrings for rounder faces, rounded and wider earrings for angular and longer faces. Studs work on everyone.

What earrings suit a round face?

Long, linear or geometric drops that add a vertical line.

What earrings suit an oblong face?

Shorter, wider styles — large studs, clusters and wide hoops.

What earrings suit a heart-shaped face?

Earrings wider at the bottom, such as teardrops and chandeliers, which add width at the jaw.

Do hoops suit every face shape?

Small hoops suit almost everyone. Large hoops work especially well on square and oblong faces.

For background on the styles, see earring, and on the metals, coloured gold.

Glasses for Your Face Shape: How to Choose Frames That Work

Glasses sit on the most-seen part of the face, every day, so choosing a frame is one of the more consequential accessory decisions. Picking glasses for your face shape comes down to a simple principle — contrast — plus two practical details: how wide the frame is, and where its top edge sits against your brows.

This guide covers those principles and applies them to each of the six face shapes. It is about proportion, not about changing how a face looks. More in our Body Shape Styling section.

Choose a frame shape that contrasts with your face shape — angular frames for rounder faces, rounded frames for angular ones — and a frame about as wide as the widest part of your face.

This guide is organised by face shape. The detector works from four measurements, a short quiz, or a photo that is processed on your device and never uploaded.

Three Principles for Choosing Frames

Contrast

Frames that repeat the face’s shape emphasise it; frames that contrast with it add definition. Angular frames give structure to a softly curved face; rounded frames soften a strongly angled one.

Width

A frame roughly as wide as the widest part of the face looks in proportion. Much narrower looks small; much wider can overwhelm.

Brow Line

The top of the frame ideally follows or sits just below the natural line of the eyebrows. Frames that sit well above the brows or cut across the middle of the eye look less settled.

Glasses for Each Face Shape

Oval

Balanced proportions mean most frames work — this is the shape where style decides more than proportion. Keep the width in line with the face. Read more about the oval face shape.

Round

Angular frames — rectangular, square, geometric — add definition. A frame slightly wider than it is deep works well. Read more about the round face shape.

Square

Rounded and oval frames soften a strong jaw and brow. Thinner frames and rimless styles also work well. Read more about the square face shape.

Heart

Wider at the forehead, narrower at the chin. Frames with more weight or detail on the lower half, or light rimless and wire frames, work well. Read more about the heart face shape.

Diamond

Widest at the cheekbones. Cat-eye, oval and browline frames — with detail at the top — work well with the cheekbones. Read more about the diamond face shape.

Oblong

Longer than it is wide. Deeper frames, with more height top to bottom, and frames with decorative or contrasting temples work well. Read more about the oblong face shape.

Face shapeFrame shapes that work wellDetail to look for
OvalAlmost anyWidth in line with the face
RoundRectangular, square, geometricSlightly wider than deep
SquareRound, oval, rimlessThinner frames
HeartBottom-weighted, rimless, wireLighter top edge
DiamondCat-eye, oval, browlineDetail at the top
OblongDeep frames, decorative templesMore height
Rectangular black acetate glasses frames. Round tortoiseshell glasses frames. Cat-eye tortoiseshell glasses frames. Deep square clear acetate glasses frames. These are tendencies, not rules. If you love a frame that the table does not suggest, try it — style and confidence count for as much as proportion.

Colour Matters Too

Frame colour sits right next to your skin and eyes. Warm undertones often suit tortoiseshell, gold, honey and warm browns; cool undertones suit black, silver, grey and cool tortoiseshell; neutral and olive can wear most. The undertone test helps, and gold or silver for your undertone covers metal frames.

Take a photo of yourself in each frame you are considering, in daylight. Frames look very different in a mirror in a shop than in a photo, and the photo is closer to how others see you.

With Hats, Earrings and Hair

Glasses, hats, earrings and your haircut all frame the face together. If you wear glasses every day, choose the other three with them in mind. See earrings by face shape, the best hats for your face shape and haircuts by face shape. For colours near the face generally, the colour analysis quiz gives the full picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose glasses for my face shape?

Choose a frame shape that contrasts with your face shape, about as wide as the widest part of your face, with the top edge near your brow line.

What glasses suit a round face?

Angular frames — rectangular, square or geometric — slightly wider than they are deep.

What glasses suit a square face?

Rounded and oval frames, thinner frames and rimless styles.

What glasses suit an oblong face?

Deeper frames with more height, and frames with decorative or contrasting temples.

What colour frames should I choose?

Warm undertones often suit tortoiseshell and gold; cool undertones suit black, silver and grey. Neutral and olive can wear most.

For background on frame styles, see glasses, and on how face proportions are described, facial symmetry.

How to Care for Leather Gloves: Cleaning, Drying and Storing

Good leather gloves can last ten winters or more, and the difference between a pair that does and one that cracks after two seasons is almost entirely care. Knowing how to care for leather gloves takes a few minutes a season — the most important part is simply what you do when they get wet.

This guide covers everyday care, cleaning, conditioning, drying after rain and storage, with a note on suede. More in our European Style guides.

Let wet gloves dry naturally, flat and away from heat, then condition them. Store them flat in a breathable bag. Heat and neglect crack leather far faster than wear does.

Everyday Care

Take gloves off by pulling gently at each fingertip in turn, rather than tugging at the cuff, which stretches the wrist. Smooth them flat when you take them off so they do not dry in a crumpled shape.

Keep them away from hand cream and perfume until your hands are dry — oils and alcohol mark leather.

Cleaning

For everyday dirt, wipe the gloves with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then let them dry naturally. For marks, a small amount of leather cleaner on a cloth works on most smooth leathers; test it on the inside of the cuff first.

Some leather gloves are labelled washable. Follow the label exactly if so; if not, do not wash them.

Do not put leather gloves in the washing machine unless the label says they are washable. Water and agitation can shrink, stiffen and discolour them permanently.

Conditioning

Leather is a skin, and it dries out over time. Conditioning once or twice a season — and after any time the gloves get wet — keeps it soft and stops it cracking. Use a small amount of leather conditioner on a soft cloth, work it in gently, and wipe off any excess.

A dry, dull brown leather glove with creases at the knuckles. The same leather glove after conditioning, supple with a soft sheen. Condition gloves at the start of winter and again when you put them away in spring. It takes five minutes and doubles how long they last.

Drying After Rain

  1. Blot off surface water gently with a towel.
  2. Reshape the gloves by hand, fingers straight.
  3. Lay them flat on a towel, away from radiators, fires and direct sun.
  4. Let them dry completely, which can take a day.
  5. Once dry, flex the fingers gently and apply conditioner.
Never dry leather gloves on a radiator or with a hairdryer. The leather shrinks and hardens, and that damage cannot be reversed.

Suede Gloves

Suede needs different care. Use a suede brush to lift the nap and remove dirt, and a suede eraser for marks. Avoid liquid conditioner, which flattens and darkens suede; use a protective spray made for suede instead. Keep suede out of heavy rain where you can.

Storage

  • Clean and condition before storing for the summer
  • Store flat, not rolled or folded tightly
  • Use a breathable cotton bag, never plastic
  • Keep them somewhere cool and dry, out of sunlight
  • Keep pairs together so they are not stretched by other items

Fit Matters for Care Too

A glove that is too tight strains the seams every time you put it on; one too loose creases badly. Leather also stretches slightly to the hand with wear, so a good pair should feel snug when new. The glove size calculator works from a hand measurement, and how a glove should fit explains the snug-at-first rule.

For the styles and how they are sized, see glove types and sizing. Leather gloves are one of the winter accessories worth investing in, and worn most days for years their cost per wear is very low — the cost per wear calculator shows it. The same care principles apply to shoes: see how French women buy shoes. And for a trip, what to wear in Europe in winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean leather gloves?

Wipe them with a soft, slightly damp cloth, and use a small amount of leather cleaner on marks, testing inside the cuff first. Do not machine-wash them unless the label says so.

How do I dry wet leather gloves?

Blot off the water, reshape them, and lay them flat to dry naturally away from heat. Condition them once dry.

How often should I condition leather gloves?

Once or twice a season, and after any time they get wet.

How do I store leather gloves?

Clean and condition them, then store them flat in a breathable cotton bag somewhere cool and dry.

How do I care for suede gloves?

Brush them with a suede brush, use a suede eraser for marks, and protect them with a suede spray. Avoid liquid conditioner.

For background on the material, see leather and suede.

How Should a Glove Fit? Five Checks for Leather, Wool and Knit

A glove that fits well is warmer than one that does not, because a snug fit traps warm air close to the hand while a loose one lets it escape. Knowing how a glove should fit matters most for leather, which stretches with wear and should therefore feel slightly snug in the shop.

This guide covers five checks for a good fit, how leather, wool and knit differ, and what to do if you are between sizes. More in our Size Guides section.

A glove should fit snugly across the palm with the fingertips just reaching the ends, and you should be able to make a fist without the leather pulling tight. Leather gloves should feel slightly snug when new, because they stretch to the hand.

Five Checks for a Good Fit

  • Your fingertips reach the ends of the glove fingers without pressing against them
  • It fits snugly across the palm and the back of the hand, without wrinkling
  • You can make a fist comfortably, without the leather straining at the knuckles
  • The thumb reaches its end and moves freely
  • The cuff sits closed around the wrist, with no gap for cold air
 Line drawing of a glove with five numbered fit checkpoints: fingertips, palm, knuckles, thumb and cuff.

How Leather, Wool and Knit Differ

MaterialHow it should feel newHow it changes
LeatherSlightly snugStretches and moulds to the hand
SuedeSlightly snugStretches a little, softens
Wool (woven)Comfortably closeLittle change
KnitClose, stretchyCan loosen over time
Lined leatherSnug, allowing for the liningStretches less than unlined
Lining changes the fit. A cashmere or silk lining takes up a little room inside, so a lined glove in your size can feel tighter than an unlined one. Try both if you can.

Signs the Size Is Wrong

Too Small

  • The fingertips press against the ends of the glove
  • You cannot make a fist without strain
  • Seams pull or the leather creases white at the knuckles

Too Big

  • Empty space at the fingertips
  • Wrinkles across the palm and back of the hand
  • The glove twists or slides when you grip something

Between Sizes

For leather, if the smaller size is only slightly snug, it usually becomes the better fit as the leather stretches. If it is genuinely tight — you cannot make a fist — take the larger. For wool and knit, choose by comfort, since they do not mould in the same way. What to do between sizes covers the rule for other garments.

Leather that feels slightly snug in the shop will be comfortable after a week of wear. Leather that feels comfortable in the shop may be loose after a month.

Finding the Right Size

Glove size is based on the circumference of your dominant hand around the knuckles, and sometimes the hand length. The calculator takes both and explains which one decides your size.

For how different styles are sized, see glove types and sizing. Keep a good pair soft with how to care for leather gloves — a pair that is cared for keeps its fit. Leather gloves are one of the winter accessories worth investing in, and worn most days their cost per wear is very low. The same fit logic applies to hats: see how a hat should fit. Travelling in winter? Read what to wear in Europe in winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should leather gloves fit?

Slightly snug when new, with the fingertips reaching the ends and room to make a fist. Leather stretches and moulds to the hand with wear.

Do leather gloves stretch?

Yes, a little, and they mould to the shape of your hand. Lined gloves stretch less than unlined ones.

Should gloves be tight or loose?

Snug, not tight. A snug glove keeps warm air close to the hand; a loose one lets it escape.

How do I know if my gloves are too big?

There is empty space at the fingertips, wrinkles across the palm, and the glove twists when you grip.

Should I size up or down in leather gloves?

If the smaller size is only slightly snug, take it — the leather will stretch. If you cannot make a fist, take the larger.

For background on the materials, see leather and the history of the glove.

The Best Hats for Your Face Shape, and Why They Work

Hats are the accessory people most often say they “cannot wear”, and it is almost never true. What usually happened is that they tried one hat whose proportions did not work with their face and concluded the whole category was not for them. Choosing the best hats for your face shape comes down to three details: how wide the brim is, how tall the crown is, and whether the hat sits straight or at an angle.

This guide sets out those details for each of the six face shapes. It is about proportion, not about changing how a face looks. More in our Body Shape Styling section.

Choose a brim roughly as wide as your cheekbones or wider, and a crown height that contrasts with your face length. Longer faces suit lower crowns and wider brims; shorter faces suit taller crowns.

This guide is organised by face shape. If you are not sure of yours, the detector works from four measurements, a short quiz, or a photo that never leaves your device.

The Three Details That Decide It

Brim Width

A brim narrower than the widest part of the face tends to make the hat look small; one at least as wide as the cheekbones looks in proportion. Wide brims suit most faces better than people expect.

Crown Height

The crown is the part of the hat above the band. A tall crown adds height; a low crown keeps things compact. The useful rule is contrast — a longer face suits a lower crown, a shorter face a taller one.

Angle

A hat worn straight emphasises symmetry; a hat tilted slightly adds a diagonal line. Tilting is one of the simplest ways to make a hat work on a face it would not suit worn straight.

The Best Hats for Each Face Shape

Oval

Balanced length and width, so almost every style works. Fedoras, wide brims, berets and beanies all sit well. This is the shape where personal style decides more than proportion. Read more about the oval face shape.

Round

Width and length close to equal, with soft curves. A taller crown and a structured, angular hat — a fedora or a trilby — adds height and definition. Wearing it tilted works particularly well. Read more about the round face shape.

Square

A strong jaw and similar width at forehead and jaw. Soft, rounded shapes sit well against the angles: a floppy wide brim, a beret, a cloche, a slouchy beanie. Read more about the square face shape.

Heart

Wider at the forehead, narrowing to the chin. A medium brim works well, as do cloches and berets worn slightly back. Very wide brims can feel heavy against a narrow chin, though worn tilted they often work. Read more about the heart face shape.

Diamond

Widest at the cheekbones, narrower at forehead and chin. A hat with some width at the crown — a fedora, a beret worn slightly forward — works well with the cheekbones. Read more about the diamond face shape.

Oblong

Longer than it is wide. A low crown and a wide brim keep the proportion, and a hat worn a little lower on the forehead works well. Cloches, wide-brim sun hats and berets suit this shape; very tall crowns less so. Read more about the oblong face shape.

Face shapeCrownBrimStyles that work well
OvalAnyAnyAlmost everything
RoundTallerMedium, structuredFedora, trilby, worn tilted
SquareRoundedSoft, wideFloppy brim, beret, cloche
HeartMediumMediumCloche, beret, medium brim
DiamondWiderMedium to wideFedora, beret worn forward
OblongLowWideCloche, wide brim, beret
A camel wool felt fedora on a wooden hat stand. A black wool beret on a wooden hat stand. A natural straw wide-brim sun hat on a wooden hat stand. A charcoal felt cloche on a wooden hat stand. These are tendencies, not rules. Face shape is one input; how you wear the hat, your hair and your personal style matter as much. If you love a hat, it is worth trying at an angle before deciding it does not suit you.

Beyond Face Shape

Hair

Long hair worn down adds width below the hat; hair tucked up changes the proportion entirely. Try a hat with your hair the way you usually wear it. If you are changing your cut, haircuts by face shape uses the same principles.

Your Height and Frame

A very wide brim can overwhelm a small frame; a tiny hat can look lost on a tall one. Scale the hat to your whole body, not just your face.

Glasses and Earrings

Hats, glasses and earrings all frame the face, so they work best chosen together. See glasses for your face shape and earrings by face shape.

Getting the Size Right

A hat in the right style and the wrong size never looks right. Measure your head and convert it into every sizing system before ordering.

Read how to measure hat size, hat types and sizing and how a hat should fit. Once you have a good felt hat, how to store and care for a felt hat keeps it in shape. For colour, the colour analysis quiz helps choose shades that sit well close to your face, and for the rest of your winter wardrobe, winter accessories worth investing in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a hat for my face shape?

Look at brim width, crown height and angle. A brim at least as wide as your cheekbones, and a crown height that contrasts with your face length, usually works.

What hat suits a round face?

A taller crown and a structured shape such as a fedora or trilby, often worn slightly tilted.

What hat suits an oblong face?

A low crown and a wide brim — cloches, wide-brim sun hats and berets all work well.

Can anyone wear a fedora?

Most people can, with the right brim width and angle. Oval, round and diamond faces tend to suit it most easily.

Why do hats never suit me?

Usually one hat’s proportions did not work. Try a different brim width or crown height, or wear the same hat tilted.

For background on the styles, see the fedora and the cloche hat.

How to Store and Care for a Felt Hat So It Keeps Its Shape

A good felt hat can last decades, and most that do not are ruined by the same two habits: picking the hat up by the crown, and storing it resting on its brim. Knowing how to store and care for a felt hat takes a few minutes to learn and is almost entirely about gentle handling.

This guide covers handling, brushing, dealing with rain and marks, reshaping and storage, for both wool and fur felt. More in our European Style guides.

Handle a felt hat by the brim, not the crown. Store it upside down on its crown or in a hat box, never resting on its brim. Brush it regularly, and let it dry naturally.

Wool Felt and Fur Felt

Most felt hats are made from one of two materials. Wool felt is more affordable and widely available; fur felt is denser, smoother and more water-resistant, and holds its shape longer. The care is the same for both, but fur felt is more forgiving.

Felt: a fabric made by matting and pressing fibres together rather than weaving them. Because it is not woven, felt can be steamed and shaped into a hat — and can lose that shape with careless handling.

Handling

Pick the hat up by the brim, front and back, with both hands. Pinching the crown to lift it — the most natural movement — gradually weakens the felt there, and eventually it cracks or loses its shape.

Handle it with clean, dry hands. Oils from the fingers mark light-coloured felt over time.

Do not pick a felt hat up by pinching the crown. It is the most common way hats are damaged, and a cracked crown cannot be repaired invisibly.

Brushing

Brush the hat regularly with a soft, natural-bristle brush to remove dust before it works into the felt. Brush in the direction of the nap — usually anticlockwise around the crown, looking from above — using light strokes.

A lint roller helps with fluff on dark felt, but a brush is better for routine care because it keeps the surface even.

The crown of a charcoal felt hat covered in dust and lint. The same felt hat after brushing, clean and even.

Rain and Marks

If It Gets Wet

Shake off the water, then turn the inner sweatband outwards so it can dry. Rest the hat on its crown, or on something round such as a bowl, away from direct heat. Let it dry completely before wearing or storing it.

Marks and Stains

Treat marks gently. Brush first; a soft dry sponge or a felt eraser lifts many surface marks. Avoid water on stains, which can leave a ring, and avoid household cleaning products entirely.

Never dry a felt hat on a radiator, with a hairdryer on high heat, or in direct sun. Heat can shrink the felt and warp the shape permanently.

Reshaping

Felt responds to steam. Holding a dented crown or a drooping brim over the steam from a kettle for a few seconds softens it enough to reshape gently by hand. Let it cool and set in the new shape before wearing.

Keep the steam brief and your hands clear of it. A few seconds is enough — too much steam can soften the felt further than you want. For a valuable hat, a milliner can reshape it properly.

Storage

  • Store upside down on the crown, or on a hat stand, never resting on the brim
  • For long storage, use a hat box with tissue in the crown
  • Keep it somewhere dry and away from direct sunlight
  • Do not stack other things on top of it
  • Brush it before storing so dust does not settle into the felt
  • Use cedar or lavender to discourage moths in wool felt

Resting a hat on its brim flattens it over time, and the curve is very hard to restore. Upside down on the crown lets the brim keep its shape.

Travelling With a Felt Hat

Wear it rather than pack it when you can. If it has to go in a case, fill the crown with soft clothing, place it crown-down, and pack clothes around the brim so nothing presses on it. A hat takes up space and some weight — the luggage weight calculator helps plan the rest. For what else to take in cold months, see what to wear in Europe in winter.

Buying a Hat That Lasts

Care starts with fit. A hat that is too tight strains the felt every time you put it on. Measure properly with the hat size calculator, and read how a hat should fit, hat types and sizing, and the best hats for your face shape.

A good felt hat is one of the winter accessories worth investing in — worn often for many years, its cost per wear is low. The cost per wear calculator shows how low.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I store a felt hat?

Upside down on its crown, on a hat stand, or in a hat box with tissue in the crown. Never rest it on its brim.

How do I clean a felt hat?

Brush it regularly with a soft natural-bristle brush in the direction of the nap. Lift marks with a dry sponge or felt eraser; avoid water and cleaning products.

What do I do if my felt hat gets wet?

Shake off the water, turn the sweatband out, and let it dry naturally resting on its crown, away from heat.

How do I reshape a felt hat?

Hold the area briefly over steam to soften it, reshape gently by hand, and let it cool. A milliner can reshape a valuable hat properly.

How should I pick up a felt hat?

By the brim, with both hands. Pinching the crown weakens the felt and can eventually crack it.

For background on the material, see felt and the craft of the hatmaker.

How to Measure Hat Size, and Convert It to Any System

Hat sizing is simpler than it looks, because it rests on a single measurement: the circumference of your head where the hat will sit. Everything else — US fractions, UK fractions, S-M-L — is just a different way of writing that number. Knowing how to measure hat size takes two minutes and a soft tape measure.

This guide shows where to measure, how to convert the number, and what to do if you land between sizes. More in our Size Guides section.

Measure around your head about one finger’s width above the ears and across the middle of the forehead. Your head circumference in centimetres is your European hat size.

What You Need

  • A soft, flexible tape measure
  • Or a piece of string and a ruler
  • A mirror, to check the tape is level
  • Your hair styled the way you usually wear it under a hat

How to Measure Your Head

  1. Place the tape across the middle of your forehead, about a finger’s width above the eyebrows.
  2. Take it around the sides of your head, about a finger’s width above the ears.
  3. Bring it around the fullest part of the back of your head.
  4. Keep it snug and level — touching all the way round but not pressing in.
  5. Read the number where the tape meets, then measure again to confirm.
Line drawing of a head in profile with a dashed line showing where to measure: across the forehead, above the ear and around the back. No tape measure? Wrap a piece of string around the same line, mark where it meets, then lay it flat against a ruler. The result is just as accurate if you keep the string level.

Converting Your Measurement

The European system is the simplest: your head circumference in centimetres is your hat size, so a 57 cm head wears a size 57. US hat sizes are based on the diameter in inches, and UK sizes run one-eighth smaller than US.

Head (cm)Head (in)EuropeanUSUKLetter
5421¼546¾6⅝XS
5521⅝556⅞6¾S
56225676⅞S
5722½577⅛7M
5822⅞587¼7⅛M
5923¼597⅜7¼L
6023⅝607½7⅜L
6124617⅝7½XL
6224⅜627¾7⅝XL
Letter sizes vary between brands more than any other system. Use them as a rough guide, and check the brand’s own chart when a hat is sold in S, M and L.

The calculator converts your measurement into every system at once and gives the head-shape guidance that most charts leave out.

If You Are Between Sizes

Choose the larger size. A hat slightly too big can be made smaller with a sizing insert or hat tape inside the band; a hat too small is uncomfortable and leaves a red mark, and stretching it is harder. What to do between sizes covers the same rule for other garments.

Head Shape Matters Too

Heads are not perfectly round. Some are longer front to back; others are rounder. Two people with the same circumference can find the same hat fits one comfortably and presses at the front and back on the other. If a hat in your size presses at the forehead and the back but gaps at the sides, the shape is the issue, not the size — how a hat should fit explains what to look for.

For the styles themselves, see hat types and sizing and the best hats for your face shape, with the face shape detector if you do not know yours. To keep a good hat in shape, read how to store and care for a felt hat. The same measure-first approach works for gloves — try the glove size calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure my hat size?

Wrap a soft tape around your head about a finger’s width above the ears and across the middle of the forehead. The circumference is your size.

What is my European hat size?

Your head circumference in centimetres. A 57 cm head wears a European size 57.

What is the difference between US and UK hat sizes?

UK sizes run one-eighth smaller. A US 7⅛ is a UK 7.

Should I size up or down in hats?

Up. A slightly large hat can be adjusted with a sizing insert; a small one cannot easily be made bigger.

Can I measure my hat size without a tape measure?

Yes. Use a piece of string around the same line, mark where it meets, and measure the string against a ruler.

For background on how hat sizes are defined in different countries, see hat size, and for the traditional craft, hatmaking.

How Should a Hat Fit? Five Signs It Is Right

A hat in the right size can still fit badly, and a hat that feels fine in the shop can give you a headache by lunchtime. Knowing how a hat should fit comes down to five signs, all of which you can check in a mirror in under a minute.

This guide covers where a hat should sit, the five signs of a good fit, and how to fix one that is slightly off. More in our Size Guides section.

A well-fitting hat sits level about a finger’s width above the ears and eyebrows, stays on in a light breeze, and leaves no red mark. You should be able to slide one finger between the band and your head.

Where a Hat Should Sit

Most structured hats sit level on the head, about a finger’s width above the eyebrows at the front and above the ears at the sides. The band rests on the widest part of the head, not on top of it.

Some styles sit differently by design: a cloche sits lower on the forehead, a beret sits further back or tilted, and a beanie can be worn high or low. For those, the position is part of the style rather than a sign of fit.

Five Signs a Hat Fits

  • One finger slides comfortably between the band and your head
  • It sits level, about a finger’s width above your ears and eyebrows
  • It stays on when you turn your head quickly or walk in a light breeze
  • It leaves no red mark or line on your forehead after twenty minutes
  • It does not wobble or shift when you nod
 Line drawing of a head in profile wearing a fedora, showing a small gap at the band and the band sitting above the ear.

Signs the Size Is Wrong

Too Small

  • It sits on top of the head rather than around it
  • It leaves a red line or causes a headache
  • It pops up when you move

Too Big

  • It drops over the eyebrows or ears
  • It shifts or spins when you turn your head
  • It blows off in a light breeze

Head Shape: When the Size Is Right but the Fit Is Not

Heads vary in shape as well as size. A longer, more oval head can find that a hat in the right circumference presses at the front and back while gapping at the sides; a rounder head can find the opposite. If a hat in your size feels tight in two places and loose in two others, the shape is the issue rather than the size.

A milliner can shape a felt hat to your head, and some hats are made in different head shapes. The hat size calculator includes head-shape guidance for this reason.

Pressure at the forehead and the back of the head, with gaps at the sides, usually means a long oval head in a rounder hat. It is a shape mismatch, not the wrong size.

Fixing a Hat That Is Slightly Off

Slightly Too Big

Add hat tape or a foam sizing insert behind the inner band. It takes up a little space and is invisible when the hat is on. This is why, between two sizes, the larger is the safer choice.

Slightly Too Small

A felt hat can sometimes be stretched a little with a hat stretcher or by a milliner. Straw hats generally cannot. Knit hats stretch on their own.

When you are between two sizes, choose the larger and add a sizing insert. It is a quick, cheap fix, and far more comfortable than a hat that is slightly too tight.

If you have not measured yet, start with how to measure hat size. For how precise each style needs to be, see hat types and sizing; for choosing a style, the best hats for your face shape and the face shape detector. Keep a good hat in shape with how to store and care for a felt hat, and for the same between-sizes rule across other garments, what to do between sizes. Gloves follow similar logic — see how a glove should fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should a hat fit?

Level on the head, about a finger’s width above the ears and eyebrows, with room to slide one finger under the band. It should stay on in a light breeze and leave no red mark.

How tight should a hat be?

Snug but comfortable. One finger should fit between the band and your head.

What do I do if my hat is too big?

Add hat tape or a foam sizing insert behind the inner band.

Can a hat be stretched?

Felt hats sometimes can, a little, with a hat stretcher or by a milliner. Straw hats generally cannot.

Why does my hat hurt at the front and back?

Usually a head-shape mismatch — a longer oval head in a rounder hat — rather than the wrong size.

For background on how hat sizes are defined, see hat size, and on the craft of fitting and shaping hats, the hatmaker.