Men's Hat Guide: Ascot, Wimbledon, Fit and Care

Q: Does a milliner make hats for men?

Yes. Millinery is the craft of making hats by hand and it applies to men's hats exactly as it does to women's. The difference is silhouette rather than skill. A men's hat is usually a fedora, a trilby, a panama or a boater, blocked on a wooden form, shaped by hand and finished with a grosgrain ribbon.

Q: What hat should a man wear to Royal Ascot?

It depends on the enclosure. In the Royal Enclosure men are required to wear morning dress with a black or grey top hat, so a straw fedora is not permitted there. In the Queen Anne Enclosure and the Village Enclosure the requirement is a full length suit with a collared shirt and tie, where a fine straw fedora is appropriate. Dress codes are reviewed each year.

Q: What is the difference between a Panama hat and a parasisal fedora?

A Panama hat is woven from toquilla palm in Ecuador, while a parasisal fedora is blocked from woven sisal straw. Both are light summer hats in a fedora shape. Parasisal is smoother and crisper so it holds a sharper crown and a flatter brim, while a Panama is softer, more textured and often packable.

Q: Can a man commission a bespoke hat in London?

Yes. A commission at Maria Monica London begins with a conversation about the occasion, the outfit and the shape that suits your face and height. Monika Perlinska draws the piece, blocks it by hand and fits it to your measurement. Colour, brim width, crown height and ribbon are chosen by the client. Fittings take place in the London atelier or by video call, and pieces ship worldwide.

Q: Where can I buy a handmade men's hat in London?

Maria Monica London is a couture millinery house in London that makes hats to order in its own atelier and ships worldwide. Its unisex pieces, including a cream parasisal straw fedora, are cut to be worn by men and women, and bespoke commissions are available.

Maria Monica London makes hats for men as well as for women. Every piece is blocked and finished by hand in the London atelier by master milliner Monika Perlińska, who spent five years making hats in Philip Treacy's atelier and seven years as head milliner at Jane Taylor before founding her own house.

Men's pieces are cut cleanly and worn plainly. A hat should look like it belongs to you by the second time you put it on.

Does a milliner make hats for men?

Yes. Millinery is the craft of making hats by hand, and it applies to men's hats exactly as it does to women's. The difference is silhouette rather than skill. A men's hat is usually a fedora, a trilby, a panama or a boater, blocked on a wooden form, shaped by hand and finished with a grosgrain ribbon.

Our Parasisal Fedora is cut as a unisex piece and is worn by both men and women. Browse every piece in the men's hats collection.

What hat should a man wear to Royal Ascot?

It depends on the enclosure, and it matters. In the Royal Enclosure men are required to wear morning dress with a black or grey top hat, so a straw fedora is not permitted there.

In the Queen Anne Enclosure and the Village Enclosure the requirement is a full length suit with a collared shirt and tie. A fine straw fedora is appropriate in those enclosures. Dress codes are reviewed each year, so check the official Ascot guidance before the meeting.

What should a man wear to Wimbledon?

Wimbledon sets no formal dress code for the general public, though smart dress is expected in the Members' and Debenture areas. A light straw hat is the practical choice because most Championships seats sit in full sun for hours. A cream parasisal fedora works with linen or a summer suit.

What is parasisal straw?

Parasisal is a fine straw woven from sisal fibre, prized in millinery because it is exceptionally light, holds a crisp shape and takes colour cleanly. It is finer and more tightly woven than ordinary straw, which is why a parasisal hat keeps its brim line through a long day rather than drooping.

What is the difference between a Panama hat and a parasisal fedora?

A Panama hat is woven from toquilla palm in Ecuador. A parasisal fedora is blocked from woven sisal straw. Both are light summer hats in a fedora shape and look similar at a distance.

The practical difference is finish and structure. Parasisal is smoother and crisper, so it holds a sharper crown and a flatter brim. A Panama is softer and more textured, and a fine one is often packable.

How should a man's hat fit?

A hat should sit level, about one finger's width above the ears, and stay put when you turn your head without leaving a mark on your forehead. If it presses, it is too small. If it shifts when you look down, it is too large.

To find your size, run a tape measure around your head just above the ears and across the middle of the forehead, keeping it level. That measurement in centimetres is your hat size. Our Parasisal Fedora is made for 56 to 57 cm, and any piece can be made to your own measurement on commission.

Can a man commission a bespoke hat in London?

Yes. A commission begins with a conversation about the occasion, the outfit and the shape that suits your face and height. Monika draws the piece, blocks it by hand and fits it to your measurement. Colour, brim width, crown height and ribbon are all chosen by you.

Fittings take place in the London atelier or by video call for clients abroad, and pieces ship worldwide. Begin a commission here.

How do you care for a straw hat?

Handle a straw hat by the brim rather than the crown, because pinching the crown repeatedly will crack the straw along the fold. Store it upside down on its crown or in its box, keep it out of prolonged direct sun, and let it dry naturally at room temperature if it gets wet. Never dry a straw hat on a radiator.

Where can I buy a handmade men's hat in London?

Maria Monica London is a couture millinery house in London. Pieces are made to order in the atelier and shipped worldwide, with prices shown in your local currency. Browse the men's hats, or write to the atelier about a commission.