Felt hats are back in fashion now

In 2025, the felt hat is making a fresh return to the international fashion scene. From the autumn/winter catwalks of Paris and Milan to the streets of New York, this classic headwear, once synonymous with elegance and gentlemanly demeanor, is back in the spotlight. Tracing its history back to European aristocracy and the literary world, the felt hat, with its crisp shape and unique texture, has long symbolized taste and status. Although briefly overshadowed by streetwear pieces like baseball caps and bucket hats in the early 21st century, the rise of retro trends and gender-neutral styles has revived the felt hat among young consumers, making it an essential accessory for autumn/winter outfits. Today, the global felt hat market is entering a period of accelerated growth. Industry data indicates that the market is expected to exceed $1.5 billion in 2025, with a growth rate of 6%. Particularly in Europe, the United States, Japan, and South Korea, felt hats are gradually expanding from a niche fashion item to a mass consumer trend. As a major global hat-making nation, China has a well-established felt product supply chain in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Guangdong. While previously primarily dependent on OEM exports, the rise of independent website models in recent years has seen an increasing number of companies exploring self-branding to directly reach overseas consumers. They use official websites and social media to showcase product stories and craftsmanship, transforming felt hats from mere accessories into fashionable symbols of lifestyle and cultural attitudes. In terms of material innovation, new blended wool and eco-friendly fibers make felt hats lighter and more breathable, aligning with the concept of sustainable consumption. In terms of design, alongside traditional black, gray, and camel, burgundy, dark green, caramel, and gradient colors are expected to be popular choices by 2025. Furthermore, the addition of decorative elements like hatbands, feathers, embroidery, and metal fasteners is making felt hats more personalized and recognizable. It's worth noting that some niche Chinese brands have already achieved success through independent websites. For example, a Hangzhou-based team of just over ten, focusing on the "handmade + eco-friendly" concept, launched a limited-edition signature felt hat. Through promotion by fashion bloggers on TikTok and Instagram, they amassed 100,000 followers in just one year and achieved monthly sales exceeding 5,000 hats, becoming a prime example of a Chinese brand rapidly gaining traction overseas. Industry experts point out that the resurgence of felt hats reflects not only the return of retro fashion but also consumer demand for texture, durability, and cultural storytelling. In the future, felt hats will see further expansion in usage, from everyday streetwear to business settings, from travel parties to art performances, becoming a fashionable item for both genders and ages. It's foreseeable that over the next three to five years, the felt hat market will see a trend toward branding, diversification, and digitalization. If Chinese companies can seize the opportunities presented by independent websites, they will not only establish their own brands globally but also lead the felt hat industry toward new growth, truly ushering in a second spring for this classic.