The College Collection by Imperial 1916

College headwear has a way of becoming part of everyday life. A favorite cap can represent a school you attended, a team you follow, or a memory you want to carry with you.

The best designs make that connection personal while staying easy to wear beyond the stadium or campus. The College Collection by Imperial 1916 is the brand's range of officially licensed college hats, visors, and belts.

Whether you are searching for your school's golf hat, a rope hat for the course, or a relaxed design for everyday wear, the right college hat can become a versatile part of your wardrobe.

What Is The College Collection?

The College Collection is Imperial 1916's range of officially licensed college hats, visors, and belts, drawing on the same silhouettes the brand makes for golf and everyday wear. The site puts it this way: "The College Collection by Imperial features officially licensed college hats, visors, and belts crafted with the same attention to detail and premium materials that define our heritage since 1916."

That sentence covers hats, visors, and belts. The wider college collection listing also carries T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and accessories, which sit alongside the licensed headwear and belts rather than inside that sentence.

Imperial has made hats since 1916, and golf is where we spend most of our time. College styles bring school colors and marks to those same shapes, so you can pick a hat that feels personal and still wears like the rest of your rotation.

Which Colleges Are in The College Collection?

The College Collection covers 30+ schools across the United States. Below is the current roster, grouped by region.

School collections come and go, so check the collection page for the school you want before you shop.

Why Choose a College Hat From Imperial?

A college hat from Imperial pairs a school mark with the shapes the brand already makes: rope hats, cotton dad hats, performance styles, buckets and visors. If you already know which Imperial silhouette fits you, the college version is the same hat with your school on it.

A well-chosen college hat also works past game day. A performance style suits the golf course, while a cotton dad hat or a rope hat sits more naturally with casual clothing. Pick the silhouette you will actually wear, for the places you expect to wear it.

Where Can I Buy College Golf Hats?

College golf hats are organized by school within The College Collection. Each school collection brings together hats in several silhouettes, including cotton dad hats, original rope hats, and performance rope hats.

A college hat is a straightforward way to represent your team on the course. Consider fit, fabric, and shape first: choose a performance style for active use or a cotton style for casual wear.

Each collection shows how college headwear works beyond a single occasion. The same hat covers golf rounds, tailgates, weekend trips, and relaxed days around town.

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How Do You Choose the Right College Hat Style?

Choose a style based on where you will wear it and how you like a hat to sit. For golf and outdoor days, weigh fabric, fit, and brim coverage; for everyday wear, weigh how the hat pairs with what you already own.

Sun protection varies by style and fabric, and where a hat carries a UPF rating, it is printed on that product's own page. Read the page for the specific hat rather than assuming a rating across the range.

The Lab Series

The Lab Series is Imperial's experimental collection, described on site as "crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Unique trims, high-quality fabrics and innovative features." It is where to look if you want the newest construction details the brand is working on, in performance shapes that suit golf and outdoor wear.

Rope Hats

Rope Hats are Imperial's retro shape with a modern twist, and the rope across the front gives them a look you can spot from across a room. They are an easy choice if you want a college hat with more character than a plain cap.

Rope hats also pair well with casual clothing, which makes them a common pick for a first college hat.

Oxford Bucket Hats and Wide-Brim Sun Protection Hats

Imperial makes two different styles people call buckets, and it is worth naming which one you want. The Oxford bucket hat is the traditional short-brim style. The wide-brim sun protection hat is the wider-brimmed style built around shade. Both sit in Bucket Hats, alongside cotton twill and performance fabrics.

Either one is a relaxed alternative to a baseball cap for travel and outdoor plans. Check the product page for the brim measurement, since it is listed per style.

Visors

Visors are the classic warm-weather choice for golf. The open crown keeps the top of your head uncovered, which is why some golfers prefer them, and it also leaves your ears, neck, and scalp exposed.

Imperial describes its visors as "designed for ultimate comfort and performance," in classic, sporty, and trendy styles. They are a simple option to match with the rest of what you wear on the course.

The best style depends on your needs. A performance hat suits active use, a rope hat or an Oxford bucket hat suits a more distinctive everyday look, and a visor suits golfers who prefer an open crown.

Choosing the Right Fit and Styling College Headwear

Fit and style both matter. Consider the hat's shape, closure, and brim, and whether you prefer a structured or a relaxed fit. Measure your head at the widest point where the hat will sit, and if you are between sizes, choose the next largest.

College hats slot easily into casual outfits with jeans, shorts, polos, sweatshirts or outerwear. A simple school mark reads subtle, while rope hats and buckets add more personality.

College headwear travels well too. A performance hat suits a day of sightseeing, and a visor suits a golf trip.

Why Does Officially Licensed College Headwear Matter?

"Officially licensed" is the wording Imperial uses for The College Collection, and it is what tells you a piece belongs to that collection rather than to a generic school-colors lookalike. Look for the school's own collection page on site rather than relying on a logo or a color combination.

Beyond the mark itself, the hat still has to be worth wearing. Fit, fabric, and shape are what decide whether it stays in your rotation after the first season.

Choosing a College Hat as a Gift

A college hat is a straightforward gift for a graduate, an alum, a parent, or anyone connected to a school. Choose a style that reflects both their school and how they actually dress.

Think about whether they would prefer a cotton dad hat, a performance style, a rope hat, or a visor. Adjustable styles help when you are unsure about fit, and the collection is wide enough to find something specific to the person.

For a fuller gift, pair a college hat with a belt or another accessory from the collection. Find the style that represents your school, from performance golf hats to relaxed everyday options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear a college hat if I did not attend the school?

Yes. Alumni, current students, families, and anyone who feels a connection to a university can wear college headwear. Choose a design that reflects your interests and personal style.

How do I care for a college hat?

Imperial recommends spot-cleaning by hand to retain the hat's color and shape. Use cool to warm water, mild detergent (test first in an inconspicuous area), and gently rub the spot with a clean washcloth.

Are college hats suitable for outdoor activities?

Many styles are made for everyday and outdoor use, in fabrics that range from cotton twill to performance poly. If a hat carries a UPF rating, it is listed on that product's page, so check the individual product details.

What makes a college hat a good gift?

A good college hat combines a school connection with a style the recipient will enjoy wearing. Consider their preferred silhouette, fit, and everyday wardrobe when choosing.

Can I find college headwear for more than one school?

Yes. The College Collection covers 30+ schools, so you can browse different school styles in one place.