Wearing Hats for Dreadlocks

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Click here to check out dreadlock products on Love Locs.

People wear hats for various reasons. It can be a fashion statement or to warm your head during cold weather. But what if you have dreadlocks?

Can You Wear a Hat With Dreadlocks?

Regardless of where you reside, cooler weather can compel you to wear a hat. When you sport dreadlocks, however, both bad and good things can occur when you wear a hat.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of wearing hats when you have dreads:

The Cons of Wearing a Hat with Dreads

When it gets to dreadlocks and wearing any kind of hat, there are some not-so-desirable circumstances to keep in mind:

• Clumping
• Breakage
• Frizz

Perhaps the most disconcerting of these is clumping. This is, in particular, an issue for those who wear hats for long periods. That said, lift your hat every once in a while to avoid clumping.

To evade breakage and frizz, make sure that you take care of your dreads lovingly. Clarifying shampoos, castor oils, and other suitable products should be applied. If possible, don’t use a hat for more than a few hours when applying these products.

You should also ensure that there is no friction created when wearing a hat. When you do take off the hat, because you’ve helped stop frizz and breakage, your hair will look just as stylish.

The Pros of Wearing a Hat with Dreads

There also can be an upside to using the combination of dreads and hats. One of the most noticeable is for protection. That’s because, you should protect your hair from the rain, wind, sun, and more. 

Wearing a hat also protects your hair from bugs, grime, and dirt. Mind you, bugs may choose to hitch a ride in that nice, tightly woven, comfy, environment of dreadlocks on your head. This is a stubborn and disgusting thing to consider.

Dreadlocks and Cold Weather

When the weather turns cooler, you tend to take greater care of yourself. This includes everything from a healthy diet to a warm coat, mittens, and hats. You should do the same for your dreads.

When it’s most relevant, go ahead and wear your hat. But consider treating your hat as a hair accessory rather than a fashion piece.

How to Wear a Dreadlock Hat, Beanie, or Band

If you want to learn how to correctly wear a dreadlocks hat you must first have to choose a hat that matches your style. And it should be made of stretch fabric to contain thin and thick dreadlocks.

Some of the most useful dreadlocks hair accessories are Rastaban hats and tams. With the fit hair, you can modify your dreadlock’s image and style.

4 Steps to Wearing Your Dread Hat

You would want your hair to be evenly divided once your cap is in place. This is to avoid any lumpy or uneven hair.

1. Grab your hair first as if you are making a semi-high ponytail
2. Place the hat on your head with the other hand
3. Fold your dreads under and pull the hat over
4. Tuck the dreads outside of the hat and shape it

How to Wear a Hard Hat With Dreadlocks?

Some individuals with dreadlocks stated that they didn’t experience any problems wearing a hard hat since their dreads were shoulder-length. The only concern they have was how to protect their dreads from dirt and debris while working. Therefore, they covered their hair first with a stocking cap before wearing a hard hat.

Wearing Hard Hat With No Dirt

A hard hat is a helmet used to shield your head from any falling objects, debris, rain, and electric shock. People who work in factories and construction sites have to use them as protection.If your work does not risk you from falling debris and dirt, you don’t have to shield your dreadlocks with an extra cap or cloth. You can leave your hair out if your dreads are not yet matured. That’s because stocking caps or wraps limit the movement of your hair, preventing the locking process. As a result, your dreads may need a longer time to mature. 

However, individuals with dreads that are over two years old can conceal their hair under the hard hat. No need to put stocking or wrap, although some still do so to protect their dreads against dirt and dust.

Construction or Factory Workers

It is vital to keep your dreads covered under a hard hat with a stocking cap or cloth. This blocks dirt from entering your dreads. Experts recommend using a stocking cap because it allows air to pass through.

Also, don’t forget to air out your dreadlocks to give it some time to breathe.

Wear Dreadlocks in a Ponytail to Fit Hard Hat

Tying your dreadlocks in a low ponytail or a bun will let the hard hat fit securely on your head. Your safety always comes first, so regardless of your hair, you must wear your hard hat. This also keeps your hair away from your eyes and forehead.

Wash Regularly When Wearing Hard Hat With Dreadlocks

Construction is a demanding job. Therefore, you are always sweating under your hat.

Sweating is your body’s normal means of cooling down. This isn’t a bad thing. But if you don’t wash your hair at least once a week, you’ll soon have a build-up of oils and sweat. This can produce dandruff. Adding the extra layer of stocking cap or cloth protection will make your situation even worse.

What you can do is wash your dreads early in the morning on your day off. This guarantees your dreads have ample time to dry. You can also use a blow dryer for peace of mind.

NOTE: Don’t cover wet dreads! Otherwise, it can lead to dread rot.

ACV Rinse if Required

While several sites recommend blending apple cider vinegar and baking soda, this can be too harsh for some loc’d individuals. This will further dry out your dreads.

To avoid this issue, combine ACV with a bit of lemon and essential oils of your choice.

For some, washing their dreads with this ACV solution three times a year works wonders for them. But if your scalp is on the oily side, dip your dreads as often as you like. ACV helps with dandruff and balances the pH levels of your scalp.

When done washing, apply your daily growth oil but add peppermint or tea tree to the mix. That’s because they carry anti-bacterial and antifungal features. Just remember to blend oils with a carrier like olive or Avocado oil.

Hats For Loc’d Individuals

Rasta Crochet Tam, Dreadlock Hat, Medium Rasta Hat, Jamaican Rasta Colors, Slouchy Hat

This item is made to request. Whether you need a medium or large rasta tram, you can use it to protect your dreads.

The best part? This hat has a drawstring around the opening for adjustable wear.

Mesh Dreadlock Hat, Netted Dreadlock Tam, Rasta Hat, Solid Colors

This mesh dreadlock hat is formed in an open mesh design. It is excellent for warmer climates where you want to cover your dreadlocks but you still need them to breathe.

The open stitches support a very stretchy fabric for a cool, easy fit. The band comprises a drawstring, making it easy to customize your size.

This dreadlock hat is available in 4 sizes for locks of various lengths:

• Small – 9 inches: for short beginner locks and small afros
• Med – 10 inches: for short to neck length locks
• Large – 12 inches: for locks up to 45 inches long
• X-Large – 15 inches: for locks up to 55 inches long

All hats are handmade and the processing time can sometimes vary from 3 days to 4 weeks depending on order volume. Your item will be mailed by USPS First Class Mail in the US. Orders that sum up to more than $35 will ship for free within the US.

Items for International buyers will ship based on the weight and the distance and will depend on the country. The buyer is accountable for all duties and import taxes.

Winter knit Visor Hat, Slouchy hat with visor, messy bun dreadlocks hat For winter, ponytail hat

A stylish and functional visor hat for your dreads is a great fall or winter accessory.

You can wear your messy bun or ponytail while keeping your ears covered on cold days. You can also choose from a wide range of their slogan patches to make it special and produce a great style for dreadlocks.

This dread hat is made with soft rayon, cotton, and poly mix, with metallic thread that gives a little shine to the knit fabric.

Newsboy Cap, Beret with Brim, Rasta Tam Dreadlock Hat, Slouchy Beanie, White Gold Blue

This Newsboy cap is excellent for medium to large afros or short to medium-length locks. It can be styled in various ways by pulling the back forward, off to the side, or straight up like a crown.

It features a bubble knit design and has elastic woven into the band for a permanent snug fit. It measures 9.5 inches from crown to the band, has 26 inches width and 22 inches band.

Before purchasing, please measure your locks and style them in the way you will wear them under your hat. The recommendations above are guidelines and cannot estimate hair thickness.

Zulu Hat, African Hat, Open Crown Hat, African Straw Hat, Wide Brim Hat, Creative Hat, African Hat for Dreadlocks

Are going for a weekend getaway? This is the hat to take you to your retreat.

It boasts an open crown wide brim adorned with an African fabric scarf. The scarf is a fabulous accessory that can make a casual garment dressy.

Black Blue Cream Messy Bun Dreadlock Hat with visor brim

This handmade tam hat is created with lots of love and set to be shipped with kindness! It is constructed with soft vegan acrylic yarn in black, blue, and cream.

This hat is created to fit with stretch and slouch softly on the head. It is a fabulous accessory for those bad hair days. It is also excellent for long hair, dreadlocks, or even short hair!

This unisex crochet hat is composed of vegan 100% acrylic yarn.

5 Ways to Protect Your Dreads From Harsh Elements

Some environmental factors, like changing seasons and dust, can be hard for your dreadlocks. Hence, you might consider wearing a hat. Other than that, there are many hair habits you can do regularly that will strengthen your hair and keep it healthy and strong.

Only Use Protective Style

A protective style is a style that encourages you to maintain length by protecting your hair and ends from damage.

Braiding or twisting your locks, updos, and buns are deemed protective styles that can be carried at any time. These styles can keep delicate ends tucked away, barring them from excess budding, being dried out by the summer heat, or exposed to freezing temperatures during the winter.

Protective styles also stop excessive manipulation, giving your hair a break.

Wash and Double Up Conditioners

Well-cleaned and moisturized locks are less prone to breakage and dryness.

You can begin by deep conditioning your dreads. After deep conditioning, shampoo your dreads and rinse them thoroughly. You can dilute the shampoo a bit and concentrate on cleansing your scalp.

Let the soap run down through the length of your hair. Your dreads must be clean to be healthy so you can lock them well. A bi-weekly washing will keep your dreads lustrous and strong.

Skip the Shower Cap

If you fancy taking hot showers during the winter, the steam is very useful to your dreads.

You can put your dread up, and let it absorb the moisture from the humid environment. This will raise hair elasticity and strength.

Steam also supplements moisture without hydral fatigue, produced by wear and tears in the dreads due to soaking and drying. After your dreads are exposed to steam, you can use a cotton t-shirt to pat away any wetness in your locks.

Choose Your Hats Wisely

Hats are an excellent way to keep your head warm during the winter season, but the wrong hat can be damaging to your hair.

Wool or cotton hats will dry out the dreads, rub against your edges that can cause thinning. Wearing a hat with a silk lining is efficient at protecting your dreads from the friction and dryness caused by wool and cotton hats.

Another alternative to protecting your locks is to wear a silk cap underneath one of your hats.

Seal Your Ends After Washing

The tip of your hair is the oldest portion of your hair, making them the most exposed to harsh elements.

Covering your ends with oil after washing produces a barrier between your hair and the elements and locks in moisture. Almond oil, sesame oil, and grape seed oil are natural alternatives that you can apply to seal your ends and keep them supple.

Regardless of the seasons, there are several things you can do year-round to preserve your dreads. Because if you fail to take good care of your locks, environmental conditions can cause them to be broken, dry, and brittle. If you want to obtain strong, healthy hair, proper loc maintenance is important. By employing these methods, you can proceed to keep your locks at optimal health.

Final Thoughts

Dreads are a distinguished style for any season. But during cold weather, be sure to take care of your dreads while you take care of yourself.

Each set of dreads is different and learning about how your hair behaves to these elements is an essential part of the dreaded journey. Wear a hat when it’s most suitable and take care to ensure that the hat is an accessory and not a questionable fashion piece.

Want products?

Click here to check out dreadlock products on Love Locs.