Though every winter season, headgear is touted to take a prominent role, the number of people I actually see on the streets taking to hats (wooly beanies don’t count!) are few and far between. Even rarer to find people wearing non beret/beanie hat types. I’m not suggesting everyone to be walking around in Ascot headgear or metal/perspex installations on their head but I’d love to see people veer into other hat shapes. It seems every once in a while I’ll look into the possibilities of all the historical shapes and find a solution to making them work for me… just a few examples…
… Top Hats – Wear them small and perched on the side of your head
…Bowlers – Play up the Chaplin-associations and wear with satin lapeled blazer, t-shirt but contrast with black skinnies
…Pillbox – No point in emulating Jackie O when you can’t touch the real thing so I like to wear them with the most avant garde drapey things I can find – Issey Miyake dresses, oddly shaped skirts and tops but then finished with delicate shoes.
and now…the Trapper Hat. There is nothing really great associated with a trapper hat but they did peak my interest at the Radar H show last Feb when they were worn in a heroic dandyfied way. The hats were made by Noel Stewart and it seems he’s got the trapper on his mind by girlyfying it for Berube AW07-8. The ‘Minerva Hat’ is now available pnline and though people commented on its oddness at the Berube show, I sort of secretly liked the clash of impractical sequins and the practical outdoors shape. On its own, it might be bewildering to look at, but I’m up for wearing it with a similarly contrasted garment like a metallic t-shirt dress or even play up the trapper hat associations with a plaid shirt.
Whilst on the Berube boutique site, I also fancied this capelet with a fat tie attachment, similarly shimmery.
Is it that everyone is suddenly wrapped up in wool coats and macs in this dreary grey weather than I’m craving a bit of tack and shine? Probably…
i bought the most fabulous trapper style tartan hat in a vintage shop the other day – i can’t wait to wear it!!
I love hats, and cannot understand why everyone isn’t more adventurous with the ir choices of headgear. The only thing I find difficult to manage is that I have limited hair options when wearing a hat (I have so much thick curly hair that I can’t leave it out, so a low pony, braid or knot is my only option. And I hate having to take off my hat during the day, because of course I get horrid hat head.
I know what you mean about the irresistible lure of the tacky and the sparkly in the winter — I was trying to buy some sensible winter stockings and ended up with some two-tone silver metallic robot princess leg extravaganzas, instead.
Oh, that is amazing.
I have a herringbone-patterned fedora that I wear sometimes in the winter, but I’m really not much of a hat person. I prefer my head free and unfettered. Although a cute little hat with feathers on it is certainly tempting this fall.
There’s a guy at my school who wears a full-on Russian-style fur hat in the winter.
I‚Äôve never worn anything quite like what you posted above but I‚Äôm really intrigued by the pictures. Might you have some in color that we can see? I‚Äôm big into fashion and like to wear a lot of JP Tod’s, http://www.intrends.com and sometimes some NDC but I haven‚Äôt had much luck finding those brands online from stores that I would trust anyway.
What kind of shoes would you wear with those outfits up top? I might go with some Prada ladies shoes and then add a Balenciaga purse, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balenciaga to accessorize. What do you guys think would look good with something like the tops up above? I’m interested in picking one or two of them up but I’m hesitant because I don’t know what would go with it.
All this talk of hats makes my heart sing. I really hope I get to see more around on people’s heads!
omg I’m sweating to death here, because it’s incredibly hot and humid in Romania and you need ways to feel warm? oh God, I need some air!!!
The hat is totaly sick–it’s like one in the book version of The Wizard of Oz.
oh no. i love, i anticipate, i crave the woolies of winter. no no no, no winter vegas for me. 🙂
You know what Id love to see? Bonnets!
Tried on a kenzo wide fur belt the other day – i put it on my head thinking it was meant to go there – and it looked really good – only it was a belt.. but it was too dear for poor little old me.. so I put it back on the shelf.. with much regret.
I think I will study millinery . because cool hats are wayy to hard to find.
I love your shiny shiny hat! gogogo!
xo marie
i saw a girl in a marching band cap the other day – military style… she looked so cool.. no enough people wear hats..
Clairebear: I think a plaid trapper would look really cool with something opposingly dressy!
Stylefinder: I love the idea though of thick curly hair stickng out when wearing a hat, like a wide brimmed hat or a beret pulled tightly over the top so that the hair is free.
Lillian: Those sound amazing…do tell more!
enna: Trappers do look cute on a guy… Russian fur hats are in the same vein. I’m going for feathered creations too..
Heather: The hat only comes in silver sequins as does the capelet so those are in colour! The silver capelet/top could work with anything from a simple black dress or over a t-shirt to dress it up. It’s incredibly versatile, shoes/bags wise I think!
Fiona: So it is… nice comparison!
Eternity and Marie: Hats do need a bigger presence..definitely…
Editor & Diana: It’s hot again in London now but I’m always thinking ahead of myself…
Holy shit I need that sequined trapper!
StyleStarStyle.com is having a post-Xmas sale where you can save between 50-75% on bags from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Chloe, Balenciaga, Dior, Hermes, Gucci, Fendi, and Prada. If you’ve got a girlfriend or wife, now would be the time to buy that Valentine’s gift as the sale ends on February 20th, 2008. Use code BEMINE to save an additional 40% off!