Having trouble with NYT Strands #53? Don't be shy - we've got you covered. Below we have compiled a list of helpful hints and what-if answers for Strands #53.

Before we get to the full answer to Strands #53, here are a few tips first.

WARNING: There are spoilers for Strands #53.

The official theme of NYT Strands #53 is... "Cap!"

And here's an unofficial hint from me: wherever I put my cap...

If you're still not sure, here's a handy word that gives you a valuable hint:

Still having trouble? Spangram gives you a hint on conjunctions. Today it starts with 'H' and ends with 'R'.

Scroll down to see what it is.

HEADWEAR.

Now, what's the answer to today's strand?

Drumroll, please.

... Spangram was HEADWEAR.

Hints used: 0.

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Hey Strands fans. I was about to use a clue today for the first time in a long time. Not because I didn't know the theme, but because I realized I don't know that much about hats.

In fact, I quickly found BEANIE. Probably because I have a picture of my cat Hamilton wearing it on my office wall (don't ask); BERET also immediately came to mind, and I found it in the lower right-hand corner.

I looked to the right of the BEANIE and saw HELMET: HEADWEAR.

I was then stumped for a while. Eventually, I found CROWN in the middle and deciphered FEDORA by working backwards through the gap with BERET.

With two left, I found that the gap created below it spelled TURBAN. From there, it was just a matter of breaking down the last six letters into BONNET.

Are you reading this in a slow time zone? The full article on Strand's solution to yesterday's Round 52 can be found here.