Dad hats are making a comeback at UNC

Baseball season is over, but dad hats are just starting to reach peak popularity.

“When I think of dad hats, I immediately think of a baseball game. Like, baseball hats,” Alexandra Hehlen, the founder and editor-in-chief of UNC's Coulture magazine, said. “Usually guys wear them. Most of the time they’re loose-fitting, they’re well-worn, they don’t have as much shape and they’re old.”

Dad hats, like most baseball hats, are made from cotton and have adjustable back straps with four to five panels. Most are solid colors and have a small logo embellished or printed on the front.

Wayne's world hat $6 available in store or email shoprumorsnc@gmail.com for online purchasing #rumors #waynesworld #hat #deals

A photo posted by Rumors Boutique Chapel Hill (@rumorsnc) on Nov 13, 2016 at 1:22pm PST

On Instagram, there are almost 68,000 posts using the hashtag #dadhat.

“I see them a lot on Twitter, Instagram and a lot of other social media,” junior Alexis Millan said. “I like fashion trends and seeing people wearing different clothing. It’s pretty cool to see how social media influences fashion trends.” 

why did i cross the road? to take a selfie

A photo posted by Alexis Millan (@alexisvmillan) on Aug 9, 2016 at 6:19pm PDT

Many celebrities, from Hillary Clinton to North West to Rihanna, have also been spotted wearing dad hats, surpassing the popularity of snapback hats and beanies. Some, like Gucci Mane, have even begun selling dad hats on their online stores.

MY VISION. I can't wait for you guys to see what goes on inside my mind & what I've been working on. 100% Kylie.

A photo posted by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Nov 7, 2016 at 1:19pm PST

This trend has carried on to UNC students, who wear hats featuring UNC logos, icons and sayings referencing pop culture or fashion brands.

“(I wear dad hats) whenever I’m not working because I’m not allowed to wear hats at work,” sophomore Shelby Hardwick said. “I also like to wear the hats when I’m working out or when I’m not dressed particularly cute.” 

Dad hats can be worn with anything, from lavish fur coats and glittery dresses to oversized T-shirts and sweatpants.

“When my hair doesn’t look good, that’s usually the only time I wear the dad hat,” Millan said.

Similarly, mom jeans, or high-waisted jeans typically worn by moms in the 80’s, have also risen in popularity.

“I like mom jeans because they make my butt look nice,” Hardwick said. “Also, you can get them at Goodwill for a cheap price.” 

However, some clothing stores like Forever 21 have readjusted the mom jean, making them more fitted and cuffing them, expanding the definition past high-waisted, cotton, light-washed jeans. 

“I think it can be really fun to take what we perceive as older trends like the ones coming back now and adding our own fun spark to them,” Hehlen said. 

"That’s what really brings them to life," she said. "Adding our own take to them is what makes it fun rather than just rehashing what was a trend of many years past.”

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