Best 13 Hat Dropshipping Suppliers in 2024 (+ How to Start a Hat Business From Start to Finish)

Yes, hat dropshipping is highly profitable considering that the headwear market segment is estimated to be worth over 50 billion USD by 2033 and it’s showing a CAGR of 6.53% for the next five years with North America considered to be the fastest-growing market in this product category. 

To minimize your selection of dropshipping suppliers, these are the basic features a trustworthy vendor should have:

• Product quality and versatility: the first thing to look for in a supplier is a rich product portfolio and high-quality items, such as branded products, that’ll guarantee you customer satisfaction and fewer dropshipping cart abandonment issues.
• No minimum quantity (MOQ) requirements: it’s essential to have the freedom of ordering just the right amount of products you need at the moment.
• International shipping: this is inevitable for expanding your fashion eCommerce business beyond your country’s borders.
• Dropshipping automation: a supplier should offer to convert your store into an automated dropshipping business to benefit from synchronized inventory updates and automated order processing.
• Constantly reachable customer support: last but not least, don’t forget to look for a knowledgeable customer support team available to help you at any time.

Starting a hat business can be an exciting venture, but it’s essential to understand the costs involved to ensure you’re well-prepared. The total cost can vary significantly based on factors like your business model, the quality of hats you want to sell, and your marketing strategy.

Here’s a breakdown of the key expenses to consider when launching your hat business.

One of the most significant expenses you’ll face is acquiring your initial inventory. If you’re dropshipping, you will not need to buy inventory upfront. If purchasing wholesale, you’ll need to buy your inventory in bulk.

Registering your business and obtaining necessary licenses can also add to your startup costs. Fees for registering a business name, obtaining a business license, and any permits can vary significantly depending on your location which you’ll need to research well.

Your online presence is vital for attracting customers, so investing in a well-designed website is essential. Platforms like Shopify charge monthly subscription fees ranging from $32 to over $1,000 depending on the plan. Don’t forget to budget for domain registration and hosting if you’re not using a hosted platform.

Building your brand is an important aspect of launching your hat business. This includes designing a logo and developing a marketing strategy. Marketing costs can also vary widely so you should plan to spend at least a few hundred dollars initially on social media ads, influencer partnerships, and promotional campaigns

Finally, account for miscellaneous costs such as business insurance, accounting services, and any software tools needed to manage your operations.

Starting a dropshipping business specializing in hats can be a fantastic and profitable venture if you approach it correctly.

Here’s a simple guide to get you started:

You’ll need suppliers who not only provide a broad selection of hats but also uphold high standards for quality and reliability. Platforms like Crunchbase are good starting points.

They list numerous suppliers and often include ratings and reviews, which can help in making an informed decision.

However, before committing to any supplier, look into the supplier’s shipping policies, including delivery times and costs. Reliable suppliers should have clear and reasonable shipping options to ensure timely delivery to your customers. Feel free to even compare pricing from different suppliers to ensure you’re getting a good rate.

Once you find a supplier that meets your needs, work on building a strong relationship with them. This can lead to better pricing, priority on new products, and potentially exclusive deals for your store.

With platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce, setting up an online store is straightforward. Here’s how to go about it:

• Choose a platform: Shopify is known for its ease of use, while WooCommerce is a great option if you prefer a WordPress-based site, while BigCommerce offers more robust features suited if you’re planning on having a large inventory.
• Store design: Your store’s design should reflect your brand’s identity. Choose a theme that showcases hats effectively. Many platforms provide customizable templates that make it easy to create a visually appealing site.
• Navigation: Ensure that your website is easy to navigate. Organize your hats into categories (e.g., berets, fedoras, beanies, etc.) to help customers find what they’re looking for quickly.
• Mobile optimization: With a significant amount of shopping happening on mobile devices, ensure that your store is optimized for mobile viewing. This includes having responsive design and fast-loading pages, which can drastically improve user experience and conversion rates.
• Payment options: Offer multiple payment options to accommodate different customer preferences. This could include credit cards, PayPal, and other digital wallets. The more payment options you provide, the easier you make it for customers to complete their purchases.
• Legal considerations: Don’t forget to include legal pages on your site, such as a privacy policy, terms and conditions, and return policies. These are essential for building trust with your customers and complying with eCommerce regulations.
• Testing: Before launching your store, test every aspect of it—from the checkout process to page load times. Ask friends or family to navigate your site and provide feedback. This can help you identify any potential issues that need addressing.

Once your store is set up, it’s time to focus on product listings. Optimizing these listings can significantly impact your search visibility and sales. Here’s how to do it effectively:

• High-quality images: Use multiple high-resolution images for each hat, showcasing different angles and styles. Consider including lifestyle shots where models wear the hats, as this helps customers envision the product in real life.
• Detailed descriptions: Write compelling product descriptions that go beyond the basics. Include information about the materials, dimensions, and unique features of each hat. Highlight what makes each item special, whether it’s a unique design or comfort features.
• SEO optimization: Use relevant keywords throughout your product listings to improve search engine visibility. Tools like Google Keyword Planner can help you identify popular search terms related to hats. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your titles, descriptions, and image alt texts.
• Size charts and care instructions: Provide clear sizing information and care instructions for each hat. A well-defined size chart can alleviate customer confusion and lead to better fitting products.

Once your store and product listings are ready, it’s time to get the word out! Effective marketing is crucial for attracting customers and boosting sales. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Social media marketing: Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase your hats. Create posts and stories that highlight your products in different settings. Engaging content, such as styling tips and user-generated content, can encourage interaction and sharing.
• Influencer partnerships: Collaborate with influencers in the fashion niche who can showcase your hats to their followers. Choose influencers whose style aligns with your brand, as their endorsement can drive traffic and create credibility.
• Content marketing: Start a blog on your website to share valuable content related to hats and fashion. You could write articles on styling tips, hat trends, and care instructions. This not only helps with SEO but also positions you as an authority in your niche.
• Email marketing: Build an email list and keep your subscribers informed about new arrivals, promotions, and exclusive offers. Sending regular newsletters can help nurture relationships with your customers and encourage repeat purchases.
• Paid advertising: Consider running targeted ads on social media and Google. Use eye-catching visuals and clear calls-to-action to attract potential customers. Test different ad formats, such as carousel ads showcasing multiple hats, to see what performs best.

Use tools like Google Analytics to track your store’s performance.

Pay close attention to your sales data to determine which hats are selling best, as this information can guide your decisions on which styles to promote more heavily or restock.

Which hats are selling? Where are your customers coming from?

Additionally, actively seeking customer feedback through surveys or reviews can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement, such as product quality, shipping times, or customer service.

Furthermore, refining your marketing strategies based on analytics is no less crucial. If certain ad campaigns are yielding good results, consider increasing their budget or extending their duration, while also being willing to pivot if something isn’t working.

On top of that, staying updated on fashion and dropshipping trends is also vital, so subscribe to industry newsletters or follow fashion influencers to catch new ideas early.

Last but not least, regularly setting and reviewing your business goals—be it increasing sales, expanding your product range, or growing your social media following—will help guide your decisions and keep you motivated.

Here’s a comparison table for the best hat dropshipping suppliers in 2024:

Location: Europe & US

BrandsGateway is a leading B2B fashion marketplace that provides dropshippers with the opportunity to sell trending luxury clothing and accessories.

Their products are manufactured by the most renowned designer brands, proving their high-quality and authenticity.

Main features:

• +20,000 luxury fashion products including designer hats at customers’ disposal;
• Over 90 clothing categories to choose products from without any MOQ when ordering;
• More than 100 designer brands available to dropshippers including Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Versace, Swarovski, Michael Kors, and many others;
• Work with high-profit margins of up to 250% per order;
• Complete dropshipping automation for Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, and Shift4Shop;
• Rest API Integrations for custom-built websites;
• Fast and convenient worldwide delivery via FedEx, UPS, and DHL:
• Sell your products via Amazon and eBay;
• Skillful customer service team;
• 14-day return policy for all orders.

Types of hats offered

• Men’s and women’s hats
• Wool and knitted winter hats
• Bucket hats
• Beanies
• Berets
• Baseball caps
• Capello hats
• Fedora hats

Dropshipping with BrandsGateway

• Dropshipping with BrandsGateway is easy and straightforward. Register on their sign-up page, choose a dropshipping package, install the necessary plugin, and start selling in no time.

Location: USA

Contrado is a print-on-demand dropshipping supplier of clothing and accessories, including a large variety of hats.

Main features:

• Dropshippers can sell their products via their Shopify app;
• Products can be customized and are then manufactured and delivered by Contrado itself;
• They offer men’s hats only.

Types of hats offered

• Baseball hats
• Bucket hats
• Beanies

Dropshipping with Contrado

• To start working with Contrado, it’s best to have a Shopify store as currently they only integrate with this eCommerce platform.

Location: USA

Founded in Los Angeles, California in 2005, Tasha Apparel specializes in selling to dropshippers as well as wholesalers women’s apparel and accessories.

Main features:

• The supplier claims to work with designers and manufacturers from New York, Miami, and LA;
• International shipping is available via UPSP and FedEx;
• No MOQ required;
• Keep in mind, however, that all products are sold in packages of 6 pieces.

Types of hats offered:

• Brim hats for women in different colors

Dropshipping with Tasha Apparel

• To dropship with this supplier, you’ll have to send out an application along with your seller permit and wait for approval after which you’ll be provided with further instructions on how to place an order.

Location: Canada

Printful is another print-on-demand dropshipping supplier that has been on the market since 2013, providing customers with customized products, including clothing and accessories, among which are hats.

Main features: 

• Custom-made hats;
• Other products include types of clothing, socks, pillows, bottles, mugs, posters, phone cases, and other home living items;
• Damaged products may be replaced at no cost to the customer.

Types of hats offered

• Pom-pom hats
• Baseball hats
• Visors
• Beanies
• Bucket hats

Dropshipping with Printful

• The supplier requires you to connect your store to Printful via your eCommerce platform after which you’ll be able to import products and sell them.

Location: USA

Cap Wholesalers is a wholesale and dropshipping service provider focusing on both headwear and general apparel.

Main features:

• They offer both ready-to-wear and customized hats;
• Orders within the US are delivered within 5 to 6 working days, while international ones may take up from 7 to 12 business days;
• Shipping carriers used are FedEx Ground and UPS.

Types of hats offered:

• Golf hats
• Umpire hats
• Straw hats
• Military hats
• Trucker mesh hats

Dropshipping with CapWholesalers

• Not a lot of information about their dropshipping program is available on their website. Having that in mind, you might need to contact them directly.

Location: USA

WholesaleForEveryone is a US-based supplier of headwear and other types of accessories that has been selling products to store owners since 2000.

Main features:

• They focus on selling men’s headwear only along with backpacks, doo rags, face masks, flags, batteries, and others;
• Custom printing is available on certain products;
• Shipping is offered via UPS and USPS;
• Orders take to get processed from 1 to 3 business days.

Types of hats offered:

• Bandanas
• Bucket hats
• Safari hats
• Army hats
• Visors
• Cowboy hats
• Winter hats

Dropshipping with WholesaleForEveryone

• To become part of their dropshipping customers, you should proceed with creating an account. For further information, it’s best to contact them.

Location: France

Located in the country’s capital, Grossiste-en-Ligne is a dropshipping company offering customers women’s apparel items and other clothing essentials such as hats.

Main features:

• Products sold are manufactured in Italy and France;
• Transport providers available to dropshippers include GLS, GLS Relais, Chronopost, DPD, and Colissimo International;
• Packages are shipped to customers within 48 hours after the order has been received;
• All payments take place through Banque Populaire.

Types of hats offered:

• Print-rich bucket hats

Dropshipping with Grossiste-en-Ligne

• They only integrate with the PrestaShop eCommerce platform. If your shop is built with the help of another web-building solution, we advise you to get in touch with the supplier.

Location: UK

Printsome is the third print-on-demand dropshipping supplier on our list, which, once again, allows customers to create products for their clothing store including headwear.

Main features:

• Customizable hat designs;
• Other products dropshippers can buy include t-shirts, hoodies, jumpers, vests, bags, and sportswear;
• All printing is done with DTG (direct-to-garment) printing technique;
• International delivery is available.

Types of hats offered:

• Baseball caps
• Embroidered hats
• Beanies
• Different winter hats

Dropshipping with Printsome

• To benefit from their dropshipping service, interested dropshippers need to register for free on their website and follow the instructions they’ll be sent out via email. In case your store is based on an eCommerce platform they don’t offer integration with, you’ll be put on a waiting list. Although they do offer API integration for custom-made stores, it’s available for eCommerce shops with high-volume sales exclusively.

Location: USA

Apliiq is one more US supplier of custom-made hats with offices in sunny Los Angeles.

Main features:

• International shipping available;
• Product designs can be tailored by customers;
• Order fulfillment may take over a week.

Types of hats offered:

• Snapback hats
• Trucker hats
• Soft baseball hats
• Cord caps
• Beanies

Dropshipping with Apliiq

• You’ll need either a Shopify or WooCommerce-based store as those are the platforms this supplier offers integration with.

Location: USA

Aa another LA-situated dropshipping supplier is WEIV, supplying eCommerce stores with casual wear exclusively for men.

Main features:

• Non-branded clothing such as hats, jackets, sweaters, pants, and more;
• Domestic shipping can take anywhere from 3-5 days, while international up to 4 weeks;
• In case of defective items, these must be reported within 2 days from the delivery date.

Types of hats offered:

• Logo baseball caps

Dropshipping with WEIV

• Dropshippers are asked to fill out a contact form on their website and the supplier will get in touch with them for further business talks.

Location: USA

Situated in warm San Francisco, California, Trendsi is a supplier dedicated to selling women’s clothing manufactured by US brands.

Main features:

• New items are released on a weekly basis;
• The refund policy allows 7 days for products to be returned;
• A big disadvantage is the fact that they currently ship only within the US.

Types of hats offered:

• Pom-pom hats
• Knitted beanies
• Fedora hats
• Ranger hats

Dropshipping with Trendsi

• You’ll need to sign up first after which you can install their app and set up your store with the instructions you’ll be given.

Location: Italy

Opyo is an Italian marketplace welcoming retailers interested in purchasing garments, footwear, headwear, and accessories.

Main features:

• Hats and other clothing articles are available for men and women;
• Customers can choose from a few different apparel brands;
• 14-day return policy available.

Types of hats offered:

• The product catalog is available only after registration.

Dropshipping with Opyo

• The page lacks this information, therefore, you should get in touch with them in order to get informed about their dropshipping service in detail.

Location: USA

Pink Town USA is a dropshipping marketplace from Chicago for women’s apparel and accessories.

Main features:

• There’s no minimum order quantity for any order;
• Shipping options include USPS, UPS, and FedEx;
• Keep in mind that their products are not branded, meaning their quality might be affected.

Types of hats offered:

• Knitted beanies
• Panama hat
• Beret
• Baseball cap

Dropshipping with Pink Town USA

• Registration for an account is mandatory. For Shopify users, this supplier offers an app to sync their stores. Non-Shopify users, on the other hand, will have to do certain tasks manually.

• Bucket hats: Bucket hats are soaring in popularity thanks to their versatility and retro vibe. They appeal to both fashion-forward youth and adults looking for practical sun protection. These hats work well across seasons, making them a staple in any wardrobe.

• Baseball hats: Baseball caps are universally beloved for their sporty look and practicality. With options for custom embroidery and a variety of materials, baseball caps serve as a canvas for self-expression and brand promotion, making them a hot item to dropship.

• Beanies: Beanies are a must-have for the colder months and have a strong following among all age groups. They come in a variety of materials and designs, from knitted wool to cotton, and are often adorned with logos or graphic prints.

• Berets: Berets have a timeless appeal and are associated with artistic and sophisticated styles. They’re particularly popular in fashion circles that lean towards a more chic, European look. Berets can be made from wool, cotton, or synthetic materials, allowing for a range of textures and colors that appeal to a diverse audience.

Hats have been a popular clothing accessory for many years and centuries and will continue to keep that reputation.

Therefore, dropshipping hats is an idea worth giving thought to. We know that when it comes to executing it, the main problem mainly lies in finding the right dropshipping vendors.

But with our comprehensive list of suppliers, we’ve slightly eased things up for you and have you a heads-up in your search for the perfect hat dropshipping supplier.

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