What’s so awesome about California is how keen the people are in spotting and embracing trends, both in lifestyle and in fashion. Los Angeles is right in the middle of it. And the one thing I found intriguing is how LA just always ends up setting new trends and nurturing a world of style statements. At the top of LA’s finest fashion statements is hats – an accessory the city just loves in every form and shape.
Los Angeles is also one of the biggest contributors to the growing wholesale hats market in the United States.
LA’s Hat Evolution
Remember back in the 1970s when trucker hats started being used as promotional items? The expansion till today was nothing short of dramatic. Dad hats brought in the minimalist wave in LA, while the younger demographic in the city adopted snapbacks for the urban edge. Bucket hats easily completed the street-style trifecta. Every hat style serves a purpose in the city apparently, carrying its own story and swag. This diversity and how LA perceives fashion accelerated the growth of the wholesale market, which now caters to every fashion tribe in the city.
The city always gives its attention to something uniquely exceptional. Like the multi-patch trend on trucker hats or the use of customized perforated hats in streetwear fashion. You see hats almost everywhere you look.
- Brand promotions
- Festivals and outdoor events
- Retail merchandise
- Sports teams
- Print-on-demand showcases
- Restaurant and bar staff uniforms
I believe the city just can’t do without some of those hats, be it as a fashion accessory, a promotional tool, or decorated merch. Businesses in LA, both big and small, are aware of maximizing value by sourcing these hats wholesale. As a matter of fact, from what I heard, wholesale trucker hats in LA are mostly for promotions.
And these are the hats, I believe, currently topping the charts in LA’s wholesale hats market from what I see around me.
LA’s Favorite Wholesale Hat Styles In 2025
Trucker Hats: The trucker hat is absolutely at the top of my list. I may miss seeing other hats every day, but not once did I see trucker hats in LA – customized to perfection and with great creativity. I love vintage patches on my trucker hats. The hats come with 5, 6, or 7 panels. But it’s 5 panels I’ve seen more. Wholesale 5 panel hats are also what I believe decorators and retailers prefer for customizing.
Dad Hats: Who knew LA still loved dad hats? Thousands in LA still adore the timeless appeal of these hats. The relaxed silhouette and weathered look still give off that cool vibe. A hit among streetwear enthusiasts still, and growing among casual fashionistas too lately.
Snapback Hats: I get a feeling that many people in LA still think a Snapback hat is supposed to have a flat brim also. Flat-brim snapbacks are for the youth. I prefer a little curve on my hat’s visor with a snap closure at the back.
Bucket Hats: I’ve seen my fair share of versatile styling with a bucket hat as the standout element. Used to be relegated to fishing trips back in the day. Now people just bucket hats more.
Fedoras: It goes without saying. Every guy in LA is likely to have some form of a fedora. I think it’s the creative decorations that made this hat jump in popularity in recent years.
Panama Hats: It’s there but not yet there. Premium Panama hats are hot accessories for the city’s affluent. I’ve personally met a few people who wear Panamas regularly, and they weren’t regular Panamas. Not with a price that goes well above $300.
Three Decoration Patterns That I Think Sell Fast In LA
- Vintage California graphics
- Gems & stones
- Abstract patterns with designs or patches
I could be wrong here. But let me know what you think.
Sourcing Hats: What Retailers Should Consider
Here are my two cents on how to get the best value when sourcing wholesale hats.
- Always order samples no matter how many styles are there on your list
- Always verify decoration compatibility
- Design half a dozen pieces first before going for the entire batch
- Always check supplier turnaround times
- Check if the supplier offers volume discounts and pre-season discounts
- Customize with the supplier, if you can and if reliable, to cut costs considerably
- Go for your profit margins. It’s never too high or never too low in LA
LA’s hat market is dynamic. Each style – from truckers to fedoras– serves a different demographic while sharing space in the fashion landscape. Mix proven sellers with experimental pieces, and you might go viral. Most importantly, partner with suppliers who understand LA’s fast-moving fashion scene and can deliver quality at competitive wholesale prices.
I truly believe in LA’s fashion scene, it’s not just about having hats in stock – it’s about having the right hats that tell the right story.