Hats Off
A friend recently asked me to find her a hat, This isn’t an unusual request, Occasions such as weddings and holidays will often kick up the need for specific headwear. But this time the requirement was for a hat that can be worn here in the UK. The recent inclement weather saw the UV index regularly hit 8 & 9 meaning there is a a very high possibility of sunburn, Hence the requirement for a hat, Hats are the best SPF available, Wearing a hat on holiday isn’t the same as at home, Sun hats aren’t required to workwith civilian clothes, they can be as carefree, floppy and ridiculous as you like, But in order to avoid looking like a wazzock in the real world a little more finess is required.
In order to pull off a hat you have to first make a commitment to make hats a part of your personality, Before you start imagining a giant comedy versions a la Jamaroquia or Pharell wearing hats regularly doesn’t mean dressing in character, But they do need to be worn with conviction. The obvious hat to reach for would be a baseball cap, They are a great styling tool. A 6 panel cap in cotton would be my cap of choice, But on this occasion caps were vetoed for being too clammy on hot days and for the offence of leaving an unsightly “bobble” mark on hair.
Next on my list is the humble bucket hat, While Oasis fans may have tried to claim this accessory as their own, I want to reclaim it by simply avoiding logos and opting for a slightly wider brim, Obvious fabrics include crochet and raffia, But a simple cotton garbedine or linen in a plain colour is a good go-to.
Then come Fedoras, Boaters and Wide Brim, If you plan on wearing any of these to go about your urban life then there are some tips to keep in mind. Avoid anything trimmed, so that goes for pom-poms or charms and anything with a brightly coloured ribbon, I would say no to embroidered initials too. Make sure it’s not damaged, no bits of broken straw or anything that looks squished from your suitcase, The goal is not to look like you are wearing your holiday hat. If you are wearing a pillbox, chances are you are already familiar with hat etiquette.
If you want to make hats part of your personality, I would recommend trying on a few and working out which one works with your style and haircut. Lots of hats come sized, Buy the right size, Too small hats are as bad as too small clothes; uncomfortable. Too big and it won’t sit in the right place. Head to M&S, Cos, Arket, Massimo Dutti, John Lewis, It doesn’t matter where it’s from, wear your hat like you own it, literally and figuratively.
