Cap, hat, wig, or tiara: how to choose the right headwear for your costume
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
A costume is recognizable by the head. A practical guide to caps, hats, wigs and tiaras: fit, comfort and what type suits which party.
Take a look at a photo of a costume party and notice where your eye goes first. Almost always to the head. Someone with a complete costume but nothing on their head looks like they're just coincidentally wearing the wrong clothes; someone with just a hat and a regular shirt is immediately recognizable as *something*. The headwear does most of the work, and it's usually the cheapest part too.
With Halloween in just over two months and the carnival season following that, now is a good time to decide what you'll put on your head. Below are the four main categories, with what you can expect from each.
The cap: the fastest way to claim a role
A cap is small, light, and stays on well all evening. It immediately identifies a profession or type, and that's precisely why it's so efficient. You don't need to build a costume around it: a cap with a simple shirt is enough to be recognizable.
When buying caps, pay attention to the inner size. Most models in this range are one-size and work with an adjustable strap at the back. If you have a lot of thick hair, choose a model with a strap rather than a tightly stitched cap without adjustment.
The hat: more presence, more attention needed
A hat stands out from a distance and gives a costume silhouette. On the other hand, you have to be careful with it: it can blow off, get caught on a doorframe, and won't fit in a jacket pocket. For a party where you'll mostly be indoors, this is not a problem. For a pub crawl, a cap is more practical.
A felt model with a cord, like the cowboy hat above, is the safest choice if you're outdoors: the chin cord will save you from a hat rolling across the street. For indoors, a taller hat is fun because it literally makes you stand out in a crowd.
For those who want to keep it lighter, an Inflatable Crown (€ 5.95) is a good option. It's light, costs almost nothing, and fits in a bag when deflated — handy if you only need it for photos.
The wig: the biggest effect, with the most caveats
A wig changes your entire silhouette, making it the most powerful tool for a costume. However, there are three things people often run into afterwards.
Heat. A wig insulates. In a crowded, heated party venue, this becomes noticeable after an hour. Expect to take it off occasionally.
Fit. A wig sits more stably if you pin your own hair flat back first. For long hair: braid it or make a low bun, not a high one — a high bun pushes the wig up.
Shape. Synthetic wigs come flattened out of the packaging. Take it out a day in advance and shake it up with your fingers, not with a regular hairbrush, which will pull the fibers apart.
Tiaras and headbands: small, light, wearable all evening
A tiara or headband is the lightest alternative. You barely feel it, it doesn't mess up your hair, and it usually costs a few euros. For Halloween and theme parties, this is the category where you get the most bang for your buck.
With metal headbands, pay attention to the pressure behind your ears. A headband that starts to pinch after half an hour can be carefully bent open a little at home — with both hands simultaneously, not just on one side.
If you want to get it right in one go: choose a set
Finding individual components takes time, and there's a good chance the colors won't quite match. A complete set solves this and is usually cheaper than the sum of its parts.
Are you indoors or outdoors? Outdoors: something with a cord or a cap. Indoors: a hat or wig is fine.
How long will the party last? Over four hours, weight and warmth become factors. A tiara wins over a wig then.
Does it need to be recognizable in a photo? Silhouette matters: a tall hat or a striking wig does more than a subtle headband.
Will you use it again? A felt cowboy hat or pilot's cap lasts for years; an inflatable crown is for one night.
Order in time. Around mid-October, the demand for Halloween items picks up quickly, and popular models sell out faster than you'd like.
Get started
First choose your role, then your headwear, then the rest of your outfit — in that order, you'll rarely encounter surprises. Take a look at Hats & Wigs, Tiaras, Halloween and Costume Accessories for the full range. Looking for something for a larger group or want to know if something is still in stock? Email info@verpakkingdeals.nl and we'll find out for you.
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