Trendiest hats you can wear right now

YES, its purpose is to cover your head. But a hat also says a lot about its wearer, which is why the search for the right one requires care and attention

“A hat must fit snug and properly. Slightly bent ears are not pleasant to look at,” says fashion expert Kirsten Reinhardt, from Germany’s trade association of haberdashers.

According to Michael Arlt, who recently organised an accessories trade fair in Germany where the latest styles in hats were on display, the Italian gondolier-style hat will come into fashion.

The small straw hat with straight edges is suitable both for women and men.

Returning to popularity is also the Panama hat, which can cost thousands of dollars depending on its quality.

When it comes to cotton fabric hats, the simple bucket hat is leading the way.

Along with the fashion aspect, there are also more practical considerations when it comes to headgear. Reinhardt says protection from UV rays should be a factor when you’re thinking of buying a hat.

According to Arlt, hats are currently trendy with young people, a change from the past, when it was mostly the 50-plus age group buying hats.

Now it’s not uncommon for a 25-yearold to be on the lookout for a stylish item of headwear, he says. – dpa