Wearing a hat is such great fun when it comes to getting dressed.  Most of us only have one or two winter coats in our wardrobe at any one time; adding playful accessories is a fab way of changing the statement of our outer layers.

Since we lose a lot of heat through our head, hats are also an important way of keeping snuggly and warm during winter.  By retaining this otherwise lost heat, our bodies work less to keep normal body temperature.

Another big plus is the benefit hats offer our hair, which is especially important when trying to grow healthier locks after treatment.  Hair likes a lot of moisture and the cold winter weather quickly dries it out.  By wearing a hat, we retain moisture to better protect it.

Tempting as it may be to wear hats throughout the day, especially beanies when indoors, the lack of oxygen will cause your hair to become greasy – not a good look.

Here are some hat tips and my edit of great buys from the high street.

At 5ft 10″ my personal favourite is the Cossack, which especially suits tall women.  It’s a strong look and not too be worn on the days your prefer to hide away from the world.  Team it with a simple tailored coat, knee or ankle length and heels for extra va va voom.  Softer colours work well on the days you don’t want to wear too much make-up.

Personally, I prefer to look for this style at vintage stalls and shops for unusual colours and different types of faux fur.  Try Camden Passage in Angel, Spitalfields Market / Brick Lane, Berwick Street and Notting hill.

For a mature sophisticated look, steer towards fur trimmed Cossack’s, which offer less drama but still flatter older skin with the fur next to the face.

Brown faux-fur – Imposter at Liberty, £69 / Red and Black faux fur – ‘Karah’ Ted Baker, £49 /  Black faux-fur – Jigsaw, £39 / Fur-trimmed – ‘Kamy’ John Lewis, £70.

The Trilby is a classic style that suits all ages.  It’s understated, yet still giving a stylish finish to your look.  It’s a soft shape, which suits a more feminine style.

Don’t be afraid to inject a flash of colour if working with black winter coat and boots. Pink Trilby – Esprit ‘Wilson’ in the sale at ASOS , now £17 / Grey Trilby – ‘Olympia’ at Jigsaw, £39 / Blue Trilby with embellishment – ‘Emila’ at Ted Baker, £55 / Black Trilby – ‘Bridge Hat’ at Jigsaw, £39.

If the Trilby doesn’t work for you, try a Fedora which offers a wider brim.  And if like me, you prefer a more masculine silhouette and sharp tailoring, this is the direction you should go.

Green Fedora – Catarzi Exclusive To ASOS Classic, £35 / Red Wide Brim Fedora Hat at Topshop, £28 / Navy Fedora, with feather – Christy’s ‘Madison’, £60 / Catarzi Exclusive To ASOS Classic Fedora Hat, Anthralite, £30.

For those of you who are petite, try the more unusual look of the Cloche, a style from the 1920’s.  This especially compliments shorter hair-styles, and works with feminine coats as well as androgynous shapes.

Merlot Cloche – Wool Asymmetric Hat, John Lewis £35 / Taupe Chloche – Soft Felt Pleat, John Lewis, £35.

The beanie gives a relaxed stylish look and has the added benefit of fitting into a handbag.  It’s one of the few styles that works with casual coats, as well as tailoring, giving you two very different styles from just one hat.  The loose fitting slouchy shape is generally more flattering, and try and stay away from logos and symbols.

Grey chunky knit – Jigsaw, £49 / Grey and neon pink detail – Curl Trim at Whistles, £25 / Autumnal slouchy – Missoni, Orange Stripe, £82 / Green and neon yellow knit – Genie, Yellow Riley, £52.

Big bobbles are big news right now, adding more fun to the beanie look.  The added weight / height of the bobble tends to make this more flattering then tighter beanies.

Navy knit with red pom-pom at Jigsaw, £35 / Pink mohair and black faux fur pom-pom at Whistles, £45.

And here’s some of the rest…..

 

 

 

 

 

Keep warm and happy health, Lulu xx