Character customization in Stardew Valley is pretty in-depth for a game with simple pixel art graphics.
Not only can you change your physical appearance, but you can try out a wealth of stylish outfits until you find one that fits the kind of farmer you want to be.
That said, there’s one piece of clothing you won’t be getting for free just by creating your character: hats.
Sold by a magical mouse in an abandoned forest house, hats are a terrific way to change your style.
But what if you run out of hats you like? Then you’ll want to try one of the following top-quality hat mods, tailored to fit almost any occasion.
One thing that’s always bothered me about hats in Stardew Valley is that they’re 100% aesthetic.
Considering how much trouble ConcernedApe went to create all these hats and a run-down house where a mouse sells them, you’d expect to get at least a minor buff.
I mean, the mouse talks!
If he’s magic, why wouldn’t the hats be?
Deluxe Hats fixes that minor oversight by giving most hats a unique effect.
Some, like the Archer’s Cap, give you small power-ups like extra damage on your Slingshot. Others, like the Golden Mask, make you OP with effects like slowly burning down all enemies around you – including mummies!
In the real world, it might mess up your hairstyle if you’ve got a top-heavy haircut, but for the most part, your hair should remain untouched.
For some reason, your character in Stardew Valley grabs all of their hair – even if it’s long – and stuffs it inside any hat you wear. What gives?
Hats Won’t Mess Up Hair fixes this minor issue by letting the hat sit delicately on top of your chosen hairstyle. Whether it’s a ponytail or just flowing, long hair, this looks much better.
Bad puns aside, I have to say: I’m in love with mushrooms.
After watching a bunch of documentaries on Netflix and YouTube, I can’t help but think those mysterious archaic organisms know something that we don’t.
You can tap into ancient fungal wisdom by wearing this giant Wanderer’s Mushroom Hat.
This unique, all-natural hat will make you look like a forest sprite or a turbo-hippie mycologist like Paul Stamets (who wears an Amadou mushroom hat in real life).
Instead of turning to mushrooms for wisdom on the natural world, why don’t we consult the Junimo?
If you think going out to find a Junimo every time you need their expertise is inefficient, you’re in luck.
The Junimo Hats mod lets you put a large, comfortable leaf on your head for a Junimo to sit on. This way, you’ll carry the protection of the forest spirits wherever you go.
It features 21 Junimo hats in nine different colors – including a prismatic rainbow-colored Junimo!
There’s also the option to wear the empty leaf or to carry a Junimo without it.
For something a little bit more delicate and sophisticated, check out Kyuya’s Hat Pack.
This mod introduces a wealth of new hats with a feminine aesthetic, along with some outliers.
Stuff like maid headdresses, frilly hats, and massive pink ribbons are packaged with elk horns, goat horns, and even a tiny seedling growing out of your hair.
Unlike Kawaii Hats, which replaces vanilla hats for the new ones, this hat pack works with Fashion Sense – allowing it to add more items without sacrificing vanilla ones.
Now that he’s carrying many new, stylish hats, the Mouse’s business must be booming.
It’s about time he put some money back into his business.
The Hat Mouse House Makeover transforms the Mouse’s run-down, abandoned building into a reputable establishment with sturdy stone walls and even a glass mosaic window.
As the seasons change, so do the mice running the store. It’s a nice little detail that works well because you don’t get to form a real relationship with the original hatter mouse.
One of my favorite features in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020) on the Nintendo Switch is how your fellow villagers will wear any clothing you gift them as a sign of friendship.
NPC Wearable Hats introduces a similar mechanic in Stardew Valley.
Now, NPCs will wear any hat you choose to gift them – though you need to ensure the hat actually fits them.
You can replace the hat simply by giving them a new one, and you should receive the first one in return.
My favorite genre of cat pictures on the internet involves confused, usually uncomfortable cats wearing ridiculous hats.
Some people call it animal abuse, but I see it as teasing your younger sibling.
You can bring some of this ethically questionable fun to Stardew Valley with the Cat’s Seasonal Hats mod.
As the name suggests, this add-on puts a cute little hat on your farm’s cat depending on the season.
They’ll get a Frog Hat for spring, a Fish Hat for summer, and an adorable Pumpkin Hat in the fall! You’ll notice variations weekly, so keep an eye on your furry friend.
But why would you let your cat hog all the seasonal fashion fun?
Seasonal Hats opens the door to creative seasonal outfits with four gorgeous collections inspired by the passing seasons in Stardew Valley.
It features 15 different Flower Crowns for Spring, nine custom Straw Hats for summer, seven multi-colored Berets to wear in the fall, and multiple Trapper Hats and Beanies to keep you warm during the winter.
I love having context-aware clothing options like these. They make preparing for each day much more fun and keep Stardew Valley feeling fresh and dynamic.
Nelson Chitty is a Venezuelan expat living in Argentina. He’s a writer and translator passionate about history and foreign cultures. His ideal weekend is spent between leisurely playing games of Civilization VI and looking for the next seinen anime to marathon.
