To wear a Santa hat, pull it on with the seam at the back, set the white brim level about one finger-width above your eyebrows and over the tops of your ears, then let the tip and pom pom fall toward one shoulder. Fit decides the rest: adult heads measure about 21–24 in (53–61 cm) around, and doubling a hat’s flat width gives its outside size, not its opening.
How to wear a Santa hat, step by step
It takes 4 moves: seam at the back, brim a finger above the eyebrows, brim over the tops of the ears, tip draped toward one shoulder.
- Seam to the back. Turn the cone’s seam to the back so the smooth side faces the camera.
- Brim level. Set the brim straight across your forehead, a finger-width above the eyebrows. Set lower, it shades your eyes in photos; set higher, it slides off.
- Brim over the ears. Ease the sides down onto the tops of your ears. That contact holds a soft hat in place.
- Tip to one side. Let the cone fold over so the pom pom rests near your shoulder, then fluff the trim.
How to wear a Santa hat with a ponytail
Tie the ponytail low, at the nape, so the brim sits above the hair tie; a high ponytail lifts the back and tips the front over your eyes. For slippery hair, cross two bobby pins through the brim at each temple. Loose waves or two low braids also sit well under the brim.
How to wear a Santa hat for men
Wear it straight and low, brim a finger above the eyebrows, tip falling to the back or side. Short hair gives a soft hat little grip, so pull the brim fully over the tops of the ears.
With glasses, a wig or a costume beard
Put the wig and beard on first, then settle the brim over the wig’s front edge and the beard’s ear loops so no elastic shows. Measure over the wig, since it adds to the circumference. If the brim pushes your glasses down, raise it to sit just above the ears.
What size Santa hat do you need?
Compare the head with the hat’s opening: the Craft Yarn Council’s chart puts adult women at 21–23 in (53–58.5 cm) around and adult men at 22–24 in (56–61 cm).
Measure with a soft tape held level across the forehead a finger above the eyebrows, over the tops of the ears and around the fullest part of the back. No tape? Mark a string and lay it along a ruler.
Why flat width is not the opening
Santa hats, ours included, are usually listed by flat size, measured across the outside. Double the flat width for the outside circumference: 13 in (33 cm) wide is about 26 in (66 cm) around. The Inxens sequin hat’s listed 24.4 in (62 cm) circumference is exactly twice its 12.2 in (31 cm) width, so it is an outside figure too.
The opening is smaller, because a thick brim takes up room inside. Only the Beurio hat lists an inside figure, a 7 in (18 cm) inner diameter: about 22 in (56 cm) around (7 × 3.14), roughly 4 in less than its outside size.
Worked example
A 22.5 in (57 cm) head is about half an inch over the Beurio’s roughly 22 in opening, so expect a snug fit with the brim a little higher on the forehead; a 21.5 in (55 cm) head has half an inch to spare. These are estimates, and plush compresses, so try it on before the party.
- Head larger than the opening: wear the hat set back on the crown, or choose one with a bigger listed opening.
- Buying for someone you can’t measure: set a hat that already fits them inside the new one and compare the openings.
Our 3 adult Santa hats compared
All three of our adult Santa hats measure about 12–13 in (31–33 cm) wide laid flat and 15–18.5 in (38–47 cm) tall; trim and fabric set them apart.
| Measurement | Boieo Deluxe Santa Hat | Beurio gray-tipped Santa hat | Inxens red sequin Santa hat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat width | About 13 in (33 cm) | 13 in (33 cm) | 12.2 in (31 cm) |
| Height | About 15–17 in (38–43 cm) | 17 in (43 cm) | 18.5 in (47 cm) |
| Listed opening | — | 7 in (18 cm) inner diameter, about 22 in (56 cm) around | 24.4 in (62 cm) circumference, outside |
| Outside circumference (width × 2) | About 26 in (66 cm) | About 26 in (66 cm) | 24.4 in (62 cm) |
| Body | Red plush | Red plush, non-stretch | Red sequins on polyester, full fabric lining |
| Brim trim | Broad white plush, gray-tipped | White faux fur, gray tips | Thick faux fur |
| Pom pom | About 3 in (8 cm) | 4 in (10 cm), gray-tipped | — |
| Care | Hand wash only | Hand wash only | — |
The Boieo Deluxe Santa Hat suits a costume Santa near kids and cameras; its broad gray-tipped brim reads as fur up close. The Beurio gray-tipped Santa hat drapes to one side, carries the biggest pom pom and is the only one with a listed inner size. The Inxens red sequin Santa hat, the tallest at 18.5 in (47 cm), fits a party outfit better than a costume.
What to wear with a Santa hat
Wear one solid color under a Santa hat, such as a red, green, cream or black sweater, so the white brim frames your face instead of fighting a busy pattern.
| Occasion | What to wear | Hat |
|---|---|---|
| Office party | Solid sweater or button-down, dark trousers or jeans | Either plush hat |
| Ugly sweater party | Your loudest sweater; a plain red-and-white hat balances the print | Either plush hat |
| Dressy party | Black, white, silver or gold, with the hat as the only red | Sequin hat |
| Family photo | One color scheme; whoever plays Santa gets the fullest trim | Boieo Deluxe |
| Caroling | Winter coat, white or green scarf, brim over the ears | Either plush hat |
| Mrs. Claus | Red dress, white cardigan or apron, hat tilted back off center | Either plush hat |
If the dog joins the photo, the mini Santa hat for dogs and cats matches; see our dog Christmas photo ideas.
What is a Santa costume?
A classic Santa costume has 6 pieces: red coat and trousers with white trim, black belt, black boots, white beard, and a red hat with a white brim.
The Library of Congress notes that Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” first published in the Troy (New York) Sentinel on Dec. 23, 1823, has St. Nick “dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot” and never calls the fur red. It credits Thomas Nast’s Harper’s Weekly drawings, including “Merry Old Santa Claus” of Jan. 1, 1881, with supplying the red coat, the pipe, the workshop and the North Pole.
Santa costume ideas
- Classic Santa for kids: all six pieces, wig and beard on before the hat, a cushion under the coat.
- Santa for the evening: red sweater, wide black belt over it, dark trousers, black boots and the hat.
- Sparkle Santa: a black or white party outfit with the sequin hat.
- Santa and helpers: one person in red and white, everyone else in green.
Santa hat vs elf hat: how to tell them apart
A Santa hat is red with a white fur brim and pom pom and slouches sideways; an elf hat is usually green, pointed and often tipped with a bell.
| Feature | Santa hat | Elf hat |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Red with white | Usually green, or red and green, sometimes striped |
| Brim | Wide white fur or plush band | Contrasting cuff, zigzag edge or none |
| Tip | Pom pom, usually white | Bell, small pom pom or bare point |
| Shape | Soft cone that flops to one side | Stiffer cone that stands up or curls |
More hats and costume pieces are in our costume hats and accessories.
Santa hat ideas for parties, gift swaps and decor
A single Santa hat can run a gift exchange, top a chair or banister, fill a Secret Santa bag and anchor a holiday card photo.
- Gift-exchange hat: whoever wears it opens the next gift, then passes it on, which keeps the order clear in a big group.
- Decor: set a hat on a stair newel post, the host’s chair or a large teddy bear by the tree.
- Gift: a folded Santa hat fits a Secret Santa bag; see more Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers.
Santa hats near candles, and how to clean one
Keep the brim, tip and pom pom at least 12 in (30 cm) from candle flames, the distance the U.S. Fire Administration gives for anything that can burn.
The USFA, citing NFPA figures, says an average of 20 home candle fires are reported every day. A Santa hat’s tip hangs right where a candle sits when you lean over a dinner table or birthday cake, so flip it behind your shoulder first.
The Boieo and Beurio hats are hand wash only: cool water, a little mild detergent, squeeze instead of wringing, dry flat, then fluff the trim. The Inxens sequin hat lists no care instructions, so spot clean the lining with a damp cloth. Store hats loose in a box with tissue in the cone.
Step by step
- Measure the head
Wrap a soft tape level around the forehead about a finger above the eyebrows, over the tops of the ears and around the fullest part of the back. Compare that number with the hat's opening, not its flat width.
- Turn the seam to the back
Find the seam that runs up the cone and turn it to the back of your head so the smooth side faces forward.
- Set the brim level
Pull the white brim straight across your forehead, about one finger-width above the eyebrows.
- Cover the tops of the ears
Ease the sides down until the brim rests on or just over the tops of your ears, which keeps a soft hat from riding up.
- Drape the tip
Let the cone fold to one side so the pom pom rests near your shoulder, then fluff the trim with your fingers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Santa hat called?
It is also called a Santa cap, Santa Claus hat or Christmas hat. The shape is a soft cone-style stocking cap, usually red, with a white brim and a pom pom at the tip. Ours come in red plush or red sequins.
Which side should the tip of a Santa hat hang on?
Either side is fine. In a group photo, have the people at each end point their tips outward so no pom pom covers a face. Keep the tip away from the hand that holds a drink or a candle.
Will an adult Santa hat fit a child?
It will go on but sit low. The Craft Yarn Council lists children's heads at 18–20 in (45.5–51 cm) and tweens at 20–22 in (51–56 cm), and all three of our Santa hats are cut for adults. Set it back on the head, pin it at the temples, and keep an eye on toddlers who chew on pom poms.
How do I keep a Santa hat on short hair or a bald head?
Smooth hair and skin give a soft hat little grip. A thin knit ear warmer or a fabric headband under the brim gives it something to hold, and pulling the brim fully over the tops of the ears stops it riding up when you move.
Can you put a Santa hat in the washing machine?
Not ours. The Boieo and Beurio hats are hand wash only, and the Inxens sequin hat lists no washing instructions. Hand wash the plush hats, spot clean the sequin one, and dry them flat.
Do sequin Santa hats feel scratchy?
The Inxens red sequin Santa hat is double-layered, with a fabric lining across the whole inside, so the back of the sequins does not rest on your hair or skin. The part that meets your forehead is the faux fur brim. If you are sensitive to fabrics, wear it for a few minutes at home first.
How far ahead should I try on a Santa hat?
A few days before the party, with the hairstyle, glasses, wig or beard you plan to wear. That leaves time to change the style, or the hat, if the opening is tight.
