How to pull off a hat this winter
Words: India Gladstone
A hat is an accessory that every gentleman can pull off, but one that not enough try. While we understand that the prospect of wearing one can be daunting, we also consider it to be one of the best accessories a man can buy.
Your face is the gateway to your personality and a hat only adds to that – rather than takes away from it. Choosing the right hat is key – choose wrong and someone’s first impression of you is going to be warped. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable wearing one; hats are either designed for the traditional gentleman (the fedora or the flat cap) or for the trend-driven gentleman (the bucket hat or the baseball cap). Discomfort and no confidence stick out like a sore thumb and therefore you need to feel secure in your accessory choice. If you wear a hat because you feel like you should you will inevitably feel uncomfortable and therefore the hat will wear you – rather than you wear it.
While we appreciate that wearing a hat might not be for everyone and while we would never try and twist someones idea of what’s stylish and what’s not, we think it’s important for a gentleman to understand that he shouldn’t pay attention to style taboos. A hat is an incredible accessory and wearing one is something that we suggest every gentleman at least tries. Which one’s for you? Read on to find out.
THE FEDORA
A fedora is for traditional and trendy gentlemen alike. One of the most classic accessories a man can own, the fedora instantly creates a completely different outfit than one without it. It’s practical, it’s timeless and it’s incredibly cool. Don’t be afraid of the fedora; it’s actually surprisingly easy to pull off if you wear it in the right way (with subtle basics and minimal accessories).
THE BEANIE
A beanie is tricky to get right; one of the worst looks we’ve seen is a gentleman in an awkwardly loose beanie that hangs off the back of his head. No one wants to look like he’s got a sack on his head if you’re going to go for the beanie, make sure that it’s properly fitted. Go for something that’s going to look slick and will fit effortlessly into your outfit – rather than look out of place.
THE FLAT CAP
The flat cap, much like the fedora, is one of the most traditional accessories a gentleman can own. With its heritage booming from the great outdoors, the flat cap is the perfect way to add a quintessentially British touch to your outfit. Again, it’s essential to get the other items in your outfit right if you’re going for this look – otherwise you run the risk of looking too ‘country’ if you’re in the city – so keep it subtle and neutral.
Lock & Co, £95
THE BASEBALL CAP
The baseball cap is an item that has recently come back into the forefront of menswear and although the accessory has a bad rap for being worn by the wrong people, it can actually look seriously cool. One piece of advice: steer clear from logos. It’s important to keep the hat basic and simple and to make sure you’re wearing it in the right way. There are plethora of styles to choose from so we suggest going a trying on a variety and getting a feel for what looks best on you. A side note: worn backwards does actually look fantastic on the right person.
THE BUCKET HAT
The penchant for men wearing a bucket hat came seemingly out of nowhere and we must admit that when we first saw it it did not tickle our fancy. The more we saw it, however, it grew on us. Again, it’s incredibly important that the bucket hat goes with your general style and aura and that you’re not going to stick out like a sore thumb by wearing one. This is the one hat within this list that we suggest you exercise caution with; if not for anything but your own good – you want to be stared at for all the right reasons rather that the wrong ones.
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