Structured Vs Unstructured Hats: Choosing the Right Hat for Your Brand

The right hat can complete an outfit or uniform, shield against the sun, and make a bold fashion statement. They’re apparel accessories that let others know who your favorite team is or bring visibility to your brand. But not all hats are created equal, understanding the differences between structured and unstructured styles helps you choose the perfect style for your promotional campaigns. Each style brings a different vibe that you can align with your brand and the needs of your audience.

Differences Between Structured and Unstructured Caps

Structured hats bring a sharp, professional look, while unstructured hats look laid-back and relaxed. Both have their strengths, but knowing their differences lies in the details. Both styles look great with an embroidered logo, but knowing about their construction and appearance will help you find the perfect fit.

What Makes a Hat Structured?

Structured hats include a piece of stiff fabric called buckram in their front panels. This material provides structure, hence the name. The buckram in the hat retains its shape even when it is not on the wearer’s head. A structured baseball cap often has a high-profile design, which allows logos to stand out prominently. These hats are ideal for corporate giveaways, sports teams, or when you’re looking for a professional look for your company uniforms.

What is an Unstructured Hat?

Unstructured hats are missing the buckram insert. The lack of this component gives these hats a softer, more relaxed appearance. These caps conform to the wearer’s head for a casual look and feel. Unstructured hats are affectionately called dad hats. They’re a popular choice for easygoing events, lifestyle brands, and audiences looking for a laid-back vibe.

Can You Make an Unstructured Hat Structured?

Unstructured caps cannot easily be made into structured ones because the buckram must be built into the front panels during production. You can attempt to add a more rigid appearance to an unstructured hat with custom embroidery or custom patches.

Benefits & When to Use Structured vs Unstructured Hats

Deciding which hat works best for you will depend on what you’re looking for in the hat. When choosing hats for your promotional products consider your audience, the event or reason for the hats, and even the way your logo will be displayed.

Fashion: Structured hats, such as snapbacks, offer a crisp, bold look. These hats typically feature a high profile, similar to trucker hats. They’re also commonly seen with a flat-bill style. Unstructured caps bring a relaxed appearance. These hats are more common for golf and tennis hats and pair well with t-shirts, polos, and hoodies.

Comfort: Unstructured hats mold to the shape of the wearer’s head, offering a comfortable fit ideal for long-term wear. Structured hats prioritize style and may feel less flexible, especially for those with unique head shapes.

Care & Maintenance: Structured hats require careful storage to maintain their shape, while unstructured hats are easier to fold and pack, making them travel-friendly. It’s usually recommended to spot-clean both types of hats. If you need to wash your hat, certain unstructured hats can be put in the washing machine on a gentle cycle.

Durability: Both structured and unstructured hats are durable, but structured hats with buckram tend to hold their shape longer over time. The rigid fabric and buckrams in a structured hat may start to lose shape without proper care and maintenance, but your hat will just end up looking more like an unstructured cap as it ages. 

When They’re Used: Choose structured hats for corporate branding or sports teams that want a large area for the logo to be seen. Unstructured hats are better for a day at the beach or a company picnic. They’re currently trending among Millennial and Gen Z demographics.  Whichever option you choose, a custom logo hat makes great company swag!

Adding Your Logo and Customizing Your Hats

Your custom hats bring visibility to your brand. Handing out embroidered or printed hats allows every wearer to spread your logo further. Add your logo to structured hats or unstructured caps, to build brand recognition.

Imprint Methods for Structured and Unstructured Caps

• Embroidery: Your logo is stitched into the front panels of the hat. Structured hats have a large stable surface to add your designs, but our expert team at 4AllPromos can embroider unstructured caps too. 
• Screen Printing: With printing, your bold and eye-catching designs can be added to the front panels of the hat. 
• Patches: Suitable for both styles, adding a patch offers a premium look with added dimension.

FAQs About Structured and Unstructured Hats

What does the “profile” mean when talking about hats?

The profile of a hat refers to the height of the front panel and how the hat sits on the wearer’s head.

• Low-profile hats have shallow front panels that sit lower on the forehead. Most unstructured hats are low-profile. 
• Medium-profile hats have slightly taller front panels, providing a balance between style and logo visibility.
• High-profile hats have the tallest front panels, ideal for bold logos and maximum visibility, commonly seen in trucker hats with mesh backs and flat-bill caps.

Are floppy hats considered unstructured hats?

Yes, floppy hats are typically considered unstructured because they lack the buckram found in structured hats. This gives them their soft, flexible shape, which molds naturally to the wearer’s head. However, floppy hats are a distinct style, different from baseball caps, and are often associated with wide-brimmed sun hats.

Are baseball hats structured or unstructured caps?

In the MLB, baseball players typically wear structured baseball caps with reinforced front panels made of buckram or stiff fabric as a part of their uniforms. The structure maintains shape, provides a professional and polished look, and supports the logo’s visibility on the front panel. MLB hats are designed to withstand the wear and tear of the game.

Additionally, MLB caps often feature high or medium profiles and fitted designs over adjustable straps for each player.  You’ll still find unstructured hats sold as fan merchandise for their relaxed and comfortable look.

Are there other types of hats that don’t fall into the structured or unstructured categories?

Yes, we carry a variety of other hat styles that do not strictly fall into structured or unstructured categories, including:

• Beanies: These lack stiff panels altogether and rely on knit materials for shape.
• Visors: Open-top hats with a brim, focused on functionality rather than structured elements.
• Bucket Hats & Boonie Caps: Known for their floppy brim, bucket hats and boonie caps don’t have front panels or structured components.
• Hard Hats: We carry customizable hard hats for construction workers and plastic hard hat toys and firefighter helmets for your kid-focused giveaways. 
• Novelty Hats: Get hats made of foam for a fun and light-hearted giveaway. These hats are made of low density foam and come in all shapes and colors. 

Which is the perfect hat for my logo, a structured or unstructured hat?

The best hat for your logo depends on the style and visibility you want to achieve. The stiff front panels of structured hats give them a professional look, while unstructured caps give a more casual vibe that works well with smaller, minimalist logos.

Ultimately, the perfect hat for your logo comes down to your brand’s personality, the event, and your audience’s personal preference. Both styles offer unique opportunities to show off your logo in style.

Hats Off to the Perfect Promotional Item

There’s no better way to get eyes on your logo than with branded hats. Whether it’s a high profile, structured cap or a relaxed, unstructured hat, every time a promotional hat gets worn, it's boosting your visibility. 

The right hat tops off an outfit while also being an important piece of your marketing strategy. Turn heads and start building recognition today.