Welcome to the first article in a four-part trend series. This post will cover women’s hat trends for the Spring/Summer 2018 seasons.

A few months ago, we covered the Autumn/Winter 2017 seasons. We always strive to stay ahead of the trends so you’re well prepared for what’s coming next.

There are 4 high-level trends for every fashion season.

The first style for the S/S ’18 season is full of desert-inspired colors and textures. Colors become secondary to earth tones and features.

The second trend consists of patterns and designs pulled from cultures all over the globe. It mixes traditional materials with intricate, personalized, and rebellious pieces.

The third style revolves around the marriage of modern nightlife and hyper-tropical influences. Pieces are known to have iridescent, translucent, neon, or metallic properties.

The final trend focuses on key summer aesthetics by combining luminous pastels with bright primary colors. Transformational textures and patterns create shifting effects.

Over the next three weeks, we will discuss the season’s trends for men and youth, as well as athleisure apparel, so check back every Monday for updates.

But first – the ladies!

Style and Personality

For the Spring/Summer ’18 seasons, fashion will take a minimalist perspective, and the women’s hat trends are no different. There will be a lot of soft elements like linen, lace, and simple lines. You’ll see laser cut patterns, perforation, and subtle embellishments like studs and reflective finishes.

You’ve heard us mention the return of the Dad Hat. In 2018, you’ll see Dad Hats everywhere in every fabric imaginable. These are unstructured, pre-curved, 6-panel caps with very small icons or hits of branding. Don’t be fooled by its name, the  Dad Hat is all the rage in women’s hat trends.

Sun and Style

First, let’s look at fashion shapes and sun protection styles. You’re going to see a lot of heathered and patterned straws with stripes and color blocking. Captain’s hats and crochet knits will also be very popular in the warmer months.

They’ll be decorated with black, leather, braided, or tribal printed bands and wooden or coconut buttons.

Country Boutique

Jewels, rhinestones, and beading, collectively known as bling will be huge this season. Crosses and personalized monograms make up a significant portion of the decoration elements. You’ll see lots of animal prints and skulls as well as Americana styles.

Outdoorsy

The 5-panel trucker hat will be really popular in this category. You’ll see a lot of landscapes and patterns sublimated onto the front and visor. Ball caps and military shapes will also be significant.

Both branded camouflage and generic camo patterns will be seen with outdoor lifestyle taglines, graphics, and logos.

Surf and Skate

The foam trucker hat with mesh prevails in this category. You’ll see them with both a slightly pre-curved visor and a flat visor. The Dad Hat will start to break into this market as well.

You’ll see bold patterns, beach graphics and scenery, florals, palm trees, and city/state branding.

Decoration Elements

Graphics

As far as graphics and decoration, this season will be full of landscape art and wildlife with ethnic or tribal influences. Anchors, animal skulls, and floral graphics will be common motifs. Logos and graphics will be full of bohemian elements and circular shaped.

Prints and Patterns

Spring and summer prints are typically very bright and vibrant; 2018 is no exception. You’re going to see a lot of floral, palm, and animal prints, stripes and polka dots as well as generic camo with pops of color. There is going to be a cross between vintage, feminine looks, and quirky, whimsical elements.

Trim and Details

Leather is going to be huge. We’re expecting debossed and embossed patterns as well as intricate leather patches. You’ll also see a lot of intricate Native American inspired beading with turquoise embellishments. Metal patches and multi-colored roping will also be common.

You’ll see some new innovated cap closures; ribbon hand-tied bows will be especially popular.

Keep an eye out for the men’s, youth, and athleisure trend guides in the coming weeks, and let us know what you think about the women’s hat trends in the comments below. You can also follow us on Instagram using the hashtag #hatswork.