The hat is made of some sort of nylon-like stretchy string. I thought it would be more cotton-like. My baby's head is in the 50th percentile for a 4 month old, and the headband leaves waffle marks on her head. Maybe if she had hair it wouldn't leave these marks, but the fact that she doesn't have hair is exactly why I like seeing her in a headband. I bought several of these, and the flowers to go on them. They look adorable in pictures, but are not for everyday wear.