Choosing the Right Hat
If you lose your hair because of chemotherapy or other cancer treatment, hats can be a comfortable alternative to wigs and scarves. But without your hair, a hat can fit and feel different on your head. Here are a few tips to help you find the right one.
Hat liners
As you lose your hair, your scalp might be itchy or sensitive. Scratchy hats can be uncomfortable, so look for ones with soft cotton linings.
For hats with liners: Wear the liner with the seams facing out, so they don’t touch your scalp.
For unlined hats (and wigs): Add a soft cap liner to make the hat more comfortable. This will also absorb sweat and wick it away to keep you cool.
How to find the right size and fit
Finding the right size is important for comfort and style.
Measuring your head
To measure your head:
- Wrap a soft measuring tape around your head, just above your ears and across your forehead.
- Note the measurement in inches or centimeters.
- Use a hat size chart to match your head measurement to the best hat size.
Getting a snug fit
Some hat styles might gap at the sides or lay flat on top of your head. Here are a few tips for getting a good fit.
- If your head is small, consider adding a padded cap liner under your hats. The liner will provide fullness and a snug fit.
- An adhesive hat sizer is another option. This is a band that sticks to the inside of a hat to make it fit tighter. For maximum size reduction, 2 sizers can be added to fit all the way around the inside circumference of the hat.
- You can also look for hats with adjustable straps or stretch bands.
- A deeper cut and a snug fit will prevent gaping at the sides of the hat.
Styling for your face shape
Different hat styles complement different face shapes.
- Oval: Most hat styles will suit you. Try fedoras, beanies, or wide-brimmed hats.
- Round: Look for hats with height and angles, such as fedoras or trilbies, to elongate your face.
- Square: Soft, rounded hats such as cloches or bowler hats can soften your features.
- Heart-shaped: Wide-brimmed hats or hats with a medium brim balance out a wider forehead.
The best hats for hot and cold weather
Depending on the season, some hat materials work better than others.
- Summer: Lightweight materials like cotton, linen, or bamboo to keep you cool.
- Winter: Wool, felt, or knit hats to keep you warm.
Consider your personal style
Choose a hat that reflects your personal style.
- Classic: Fedoras, bowler hats, and newsboy caps offer a classic look.
- Trendy: Experiment with bucket hats, berets, or wide-brimmed hats for a trendy look.
- Sporty: Try baseballs caps and visors for a sporty style.
Try before you buy (if you can)
Whenever possible, try on a hat before you purchase. Think about:
- Fit: Does it fit snugly but comfortably without being too tight?
- Comfort: Are there pressure points or sore spots?
- Look: Does it feel right for you?
Other ways to style your hat
Hats are a great option because they can be worn as-is or styled with other pieces.
Scarves and headbands: A scarf or headband around the crown of a hat can add style and help keep your hat in place.
Hair accents: Many people who lose their hair worry about the lack of hair in front of their ears. This bare spot can be especially obvious when you wear glasses. Look for hair accents that attach with peel-and-stick adhesive backing. These are often made of real hair that can be cut and styled.
Halos: Halos are another easy, inexpensive way to get the look of hair while enjoying the comfort of a nice, soft hat. Halos are wigs designed to be worn with hats. They are open at the top to keep your head cool.
More resources
- Written by
- References
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Donovan J, Goldstein, BG, Goldstein AO. Male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia in males): Management. UpToDate. UpToDate, Inc; 2024. Updated June 24, 2024. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/male-pattern-hair-loss-androgenetic-alopecia-in-males-management
Freites-Martinez, A., Shapiro, J., Goldfarb, S., Nangia, J., Jimenez, J. J., Paus, R., & Lacouture, M. E. (2019). Hair disorders in patients with cancer. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 80(5), 1179–1196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2018.03.055
Kocan S, Aktug C, Gursoy A. "Who am I?" A qualitative meta-synthesis of Chemotherapy-induced alopecia and body image perception in breast cancer patients. Support Care Cancer. 2023;31(4):237. Published 2023 Mar 28. doi:10.1007/s00520-023-07704-8
Liu D, Xu Q, Meng X, Liu X, Liu J. Status of research on the development and regeneration of hair follicles. Int J Med Sci. 2024;21(1):80-94. Published 2024 Jan 1. doi:10.7150/ijms.88508
McMichael A. Female pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia in females): Management. UpToDate. UpToDate, Inc; 2024. Updated December 21, 2021. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/female-pattern-hair-loss-androgenetic-alopecia-in-females-management
Rugo HS & Van Den Hurk, C. Alopecia related to systemic cancer therapy. UpToDate. UpToDate, Inc; 2024. Last updated August 3, 2023. Accessed June 26, 2024. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/alopecia-related-to-systemic-cancer-therapy
Shapiro J & Hordinsky M. Evaluation and diagnosis of hair loss. UpToDate, Inc; 2024. Updated October 4, 2023. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-and-diagnosis-of-hair-loss
Wikramanayake TC, Haberland NI, Akhundlu A, Laboy Nieves A, Miteva M. Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: What Is Available and What Is Coming? Current Oncology. 2023; 30(4):3609-3626. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30040275
Zeppieri M, Gagliano C, Spadea L, et al. From Eye Care to Hair Growth: Bimatoprost. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2024;17(5):561. Published 2024 Apr 27. doi:10.3390/ph17050561
Last Revised: September 5, 2024
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
American Cancer Society Emails
Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society.