A COMPLETE GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT HAT
How men can style hats during winter!
Ahat gives an elegant boost to any summer or winter outfit, however casual or formal. Not only is it handy in that it protects one from the sun, it is also a warm-weather essential for any outfit! With seemingly endless styles to pick from, I asked Bame Koolatotse - a hat connoisseur at Hats by Bells - for men and women’s styling tips. Here is how to make it happen:
“Depending on whether you want to dress up or down, the go-to hat for men is the newsboy cap and fedora hat. Newsboy can be styled casually with a pair of jeans and cardigan. Throw a white plain sneaker or converse to tone it down. For the fun of it, add a long line coat. Another favourite hat in winter is the fedora. They can be styled casually or formal. For formal look, suit it up and add one of the classic fedoras. Add a long coat to finish off the classic look.”
Women styling tips
“Women have a variety of options to pick from in winter. The most popular style is also the fedora hat. Customers prefer to have them in different colours. Fedoras can be worn casually with a pair of jeans and loafers. A long line coat is a must! Berets are a fun accessory. Play around with them till they suit you. I prefer we become playful here; a nice fur coat will go nicely with a beret. Add some nice leather gloves to take the styling further. What’s more important is picking the hat you are comfortable with. Remember the type of hat might be determined by your mood on that day,”
For more tips on how to style your hat and care for it, follow Hats by Bells on Facebook at hatsbybells and on Instagram @hatsbybells_
HATS STYLE TIPS:
Hats are used for different reasons - as a shelter from the sun, cold, rain or simply to transform or accessorise your outfit. Remember there are so many types of hats including fedoras, trilby, cowboy, Panama, cloche, porkpie, boater, floppy, berets etc. Before you say hats do not suit you and rule them out, remember not all types of hats are good for everyone but the perfect one for you exists. Here is the ultimate guide to picking the perfect hat for yourself.
• What head size are you?
• What is the shape of your head?
• What hairstyle do you keep?
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT HEAD SIZE
• To know your head
size, you need to measure the circumference of your skull.
• Place the tape measure around the back of your head across your forehead, just above your eyebrows, to determine your
head size in cm.
SIZE GUIDE
• Small - 55cm
• Medium - 57cm
• Large - 59cm
• XL - 61cm
WHAT HAIRSTYLE DO YOU KEEP?
Hairstyles have an impact on the type of hat you pick. Your head size will be determined by the hairstyle you keep most of the time. For anyone with short hair, you can go by the circumference of your head. If you keep bulky hair, pick the next size up.
WHAT IS THE SHAPE OF YOUR FACE?
Square - To soften your face, you will need a hat with round shape or large brims. Try the fedora, bowler, and floppy hat. Avoid shapes like porkpie hats.
Heart shaped - Try hats with short brims, the objective here is to make sure your face does not disappear. We advise you choose fedora and trilby styles. Avoid the bowler and floppy shape.
Long Shape - Try a hat with low crown, tall crowns will elongate your face even more. Fedora and sun hats will be ideal.
Oval shape - You are the lucky one. Your well-balanced shape can match any type of hat.
Lastly, keep in mind that the perfect hat is the one that you like. Choose the hat that you feel confident and comfortable wearing. It should reflect your personality and mood.”