In the age of streetwear, we are incredibly far from the
days when a hat was not just something to hide a bad hairstyle, but a social
necessity. However, just because you don't have to wear one doesn't mean you
shouldn't.
While it may not be true that you lose most of your body
heat through your head, we can confidently confirm that in most cases, a hat
will keep snow, wind, and rain from tormenting your heart and ruin your barnet.
So with that in attention, here are the only styles worth
covering your crown this season, and some must-have tips for taking them off
(or putting them on instead).
THE HAT
Like many other items in men's fashion canon, the beanie has
a checkered history. Designed as a way to keep blue-necked hair away from your
face during transplantation, this brimless hat is said to have got its name
from the little cloth-covered "bean" on the crown.
In the mid-2000s, the style was most easily associated
with students sporting a loose, diaper-like mass of fabric that tickled the
wearer's neck.
To do the hat justice, do like these skilled Scandinavian
fishermen and choose a neat, short wool cap that fits the shape of your head.
They are best worn outside of business hours on the weekends, especially when
paired with other worker-inspired staples like an overshirt or denim jacket.
Tesco F&F 2021 Tesco F&F
THE FLAT CAP
If you only take a replica of your grandfather's clothes,
make it the flat cap. The hat, most often made of insulating wool or tweed, is
characterized by its flat, rounded shape and its small, rigid forward-facing
brim.
"The traditional flat cap dates back to 1571, when a
law was passed requiring it to be worn on a Sunday to help boost the wool
trade," says menswear stylist Paul Higgins, whose resume includes brands
such as Diesel, Reiss and Aquascutum. "The hat is now loving a renaissance
following the success of the BBC's Peaky Blinders, with fans sporting their
tweed styles with casual day wear to channel the smooth Thomas Shelby."
Nailing while wearing the flat cap without looking like a farm worker requires updating it with the rest of your outfit. “There are some great options down the street, but you should invest in a traditional design,” adds Higgins, who suggests wearing one with modern staples like a single-breasted coat, high neck, and jeans.
BASEBALL CAP
Not all baseball caps are the same. Yes, the style has been
avidly absorbed by angry teens hanging around bus stops, but there are great
examples of this athletic-inspired skull blanket.
“Instead of just exhausting a regular cotton cap, replace it
with wool for winter,” says Sarah Gilfillan, personal stylist at Sartoria Lab.
“Choose a solid dark navy or gray Prince of Wales pattern to match more formal
outfits and tweed or a buffalo pattern for a casual look. "
Regardless of age, the baseball cap invariably benefits from
simplicity. So go for a sober color scheme and avoid logos to keep the style
firmly away from pesky pubescent polemics. Also change sportswear. A fabric of
choice will make a much nicer companion to a premium baseball cap than a
durable tracksuit.
WHISTLES AW17
THE FEDORA HAT
Unlike the trilby (which was last seen surgically attached
to Ne-Yo's head), the hat's wide-brimmed, pinched-crown cousin, the fedora, is
much less susceptible to the vagaries of fashion and can be worn. easily in summer
and winter.
"Fedora is a traditional staple that has passed from
the heads of the English on Savile Row to people all over the world, such is
its versatility," says Higgins. "In winter, you should try wearing
yours with a blue work jacket, a heather gray sweatshirt, loose green military
pants, and work boots for the perfect casual weekend look."
However, the allure of the fedora hat doesn't end there. Confidently enough, the hat can easily be worn with everything from a costume to a leather biker. It is a warmer winter that will give you a lot of mileage.