Wednesday 24 November 2010

Hat's all, Folks

Woodhouse Moor, Hyde Park, Leeds (Winter 2009)
The scenes outside my window currently are very similar, but I'm too lazy to take a picture!


I know, I know, I keep going on about it - but it's COLD. And I want to be WARM.

So, a few posts about hats, gloves and scarves in the coming days. No beating about the bush, here we go:

Hats
In Winter, I mostly wear berets. I lived in Paris for a while and while I was there I totally bought into the whole beret thing; bought several wool specimens in different colours. Of course, I didn't wear them in Paris (waaay too 'touristy', darling) but when I got home in November 2008, boy was I glad of them.
Berets look great jauntily to one side (if you can pull that off without looking too faux-French and stereotyped), or - as I wear them - pulled back slightly to show the front of your hair but cover the back of your head (and your ears if you so wish).

But you don't have to go to Paris to get a beret - a lot of high street stores and department stores stock a great range. Try Accessorize in particular, they're always great for winter warmers, with a whole section dedicated to cold weather accessories on their website.

And of course, there's a whole range of other great warm hats out there; quirkier knitted 'Peruvian' or furry 'trapper' styles with 'ear flaps' are SO effortlessly cool (wish I could pull them off without looking like a munchkin):

Columbia Navy Peruvian hat
Columbia Navy Peruvian Hat, £22, Debenhams
(Image from www.debenhams.com)


Faux Fur Pom Pom Trapper Hat
Faux Fur Pom Pom Trapper Hat, £15, Marks and Spencer
(Image from www.marksandspencer.com)

For (faux) fur with a little more high-octane glamour, a Russian 'ushanka' is a great call and something many celebrities have been seen out and about in recently. These, too, often have ear flaps that can fold down. When I went to Russia a lot of my compatriots bought genuine Russian ushankas - I was tempted, but when I learned that they were real rabbit fur I lost interest somewhat. Luckily for us, there are a whole range of options available. This Kangol version is certain to be a hit:

Kangol Wool Ushanka Womens Winter Fur Hat - Black
Kangol Wool Ushanka Women's Winter Fur Hat - Black, £35.01, at Urban Excess
(Image from www.urbanexcess.com)


Of course, since Katy Perry famously wore River Island's Panda hat, there's been a wave of recent styles featuring all kinds of animal ears too - gotta love a bit of quirk. River Island still have numerous similar styles.

The day Katy Perry famously wore River Island's adorable hat, sparking infinite copycat styles from every high street store.
(Image from www.sugarscape.com)

And - as always - there's the reincarnation of a vintage darling, the cloche.


Bow Trim Red Cloche
Bow Trim Red Cloche, £26, Accessorize
(Also available in black, with similar styles in purple and pale pink with corsage)

Remember, a great deal of heat is lost through your head - but with so many varied and gorgeous hats on offer, that never needs to be a problem again.

Ciao for now,
Charlotte

2 comments:

  1. You lived in Paris? Very lucky! One day I hope to visit and will be sure to stay away from Berets during my stay (:

    I like the Peruvian style the most. Don't think I could pull of many of the others (:

    http://playinghooksies.blogspot.com/

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  2. I really suit hats but my word, I just never buy them. I can't handle the pressure! :( xx

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