How to Design Best Selling Branded Hats for Los Angeles Pop-Ups
If you’re planning a pop-up in Los Angeles, here’s how to design branded hats that actually move.
1. Start With the Right Hat Style
A Venice Beach pop-up and a Melrose fashion activation attract very different customers. That’s why starting with the right blank hat style matters just as much as the logo itself.
Some consistently strong performers:
- Dad hats – effortless, wearable, and perfect for lifestyle brands
- Snapbacks – still trendy for streetwear outfits and festival goers
- Trucker hats – especially popular for summer pop-ups
- Baseball caps – works well with minimal branding
2. Keep the Branding Clean
Shoppers at pop-ups make decisions fast. If your hat design is too busy, it often gets passed over. The best-selling branded hats usually have:
- Small embroidery
- Simple fonts
- One strong icon vs. complex images
3. Color Choice Can Make or Break Sales
Neutral colors dominate LA pop-ups for a reason: they’re easy to style and feel premium.
Top-performing blank hat colors we see again and again:
- Black
- Off-white / cream
- Khaki
- Olive
- Navy
That doesn’t mean bold colors can’t work—but they should be intentional. Brights tend to sell best when tied to a specific brand story, event theme, or limited-edition drop.
4. Design for “I’ll Wear This Tomorrow,” Not Just the Pop-Up
The hats that sell best aren’t just souvenirs—they’re everyday pieces.
When designing your branded hats, ask:
- Would someone wear this with a plain tee and jeans?
- Is the logo not overly promotional?
- Is this hat versatile enough for different outfits?
LA customers are highly style-aware. If a hat feels like merch, they’ll hesitate. If it feels like a wardrobe staple, they’ll buy it and wear it long after your pop-up ends.
5. Placement Matters
You don’t need a giant logo to make an impact. In fact, strategic placement often outsells larger branding. Popular placements include center front (classic and reliable) and the side panel (subtle, premium feel).
Get Started Customizing Your Hats
Los Angeles pop-ups and branded hats make the perfect pair. At The Park Wholesale, we stock a variety of blank hats in many styles and colors.
We work with businesses in Los Angeles, Agoura Hills, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Burbank, Calabasas, Camarillo, Canoga Park, Culver City, Downtown LA, El Segundo, Glendale, Hermosa Beach, Hollywood, Inglewood, Long Beach, Malibu, Manhattan Bech, Marina del Rey, Moorpark, Oak Park, Oxnard, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Ranchos Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Simi Valley, Tarzana, Thousand Oaks, Venice, West LA, Westlake Village, Westwood, and Woodland Hills.