THISDAY Style

Hats to Know

- BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

Hats have cemented themselves as eternally stylish men’s accessorie­s. From Panama hats to Flat caps, Fedoras to Snapbacks, men’s hats are a versatile, functional, and stylish addition to any look. They’re also practical and suitable for any season. Rain or shine, a hat will keep you warm, dry, and sheltered from the sun all while looking great. On top of that, hats can finish off any casual, classy, or eclectic ensemble in a simple yet inspired way. Here are the best men’s hat styles you need to know FEDORA

Love it or hate it, the Fedora has stood the test of time. Going from the hat of choice for gangsters in the 1920s and 1950s to a hipster staple item in the 2000s, Fedoras is probably one of the most polarising men’s accessorie­s. Today the felt firmbrimme­d hat is once again ontrend and a fantastic wardrobe addition. Although fedoras come in various sizes and colours, we’d suggest sticking to those with more neutral tones and medium widths.

PANAMA HAT

A Panama hat is perfect when paired with a beach backdrop and a white linen shirt. This traditiona­l brimmed straw hat hails from Ecuador and will have you looking as hot as a Miami summer. Made from plaited leaves, the Panama hat has become a must-have accessory for seaside and tropical destinatio­ns. Panamas are made for sunshine and blue skies, so don’t try to rock this hat in winter. They are light in colour and weight, breathable, easy to wear, and faultlessl­y fit with a laid-back beach style.

BOWLER

The bowler hat is one of the most iconic items of British style, made famous by notable actors such as Charlie Chaplin, Curly Howard, and John Cleese. It is a hard, felt hat with a narrow brim and is also commonly known as a derby. This hat is a favourite of the upper, middle, and workingcla­ss alike, but we would steer clear of wearing it casually. Try out this trend with doublebrea­sted suits, tailored pants, dress shoes, a vintage Corvette, or a British accent. That type of thing

SNAPBACK

The ’90s style baseball cap burst onto the fashion scene after the New York snapback became increasing­ly popular with Yankees fans. Nowadays, snapbacks have cornered the market being worn by cap connoisseu­rs, ballers, fashionist­as, and cool kids all over the world. The name comes from the hat’s adjustable fastener at the back. Like its vintage cousin, the dad hat, it is also one-size-fitsall, providing a relaxed, oversized fit. However, the snapback is more rigid in its design, making it more structured. Snapbacks add an effortless yet instantly cool vibe to any outfit.

FLAT CAP

Popular among celebritie­s and television characters, flat caps come from humble roots. The flat cap was once typically worn by chimney sweepers and farmers. These stylish pieces of headwear come in wool, tweed or cotton. For extra warmth and comfort, these stiff-brimmed rounded caps are lined. Flat caps look best when paired with a smart casual style for a touch of charm.

TOP HAT

There has still never been a piece of headwear as dominating or as sophistica­ted as the top hat. Don’t panic, we’re not suggesting you need to go Abe Lincoln style, but a shorter, stylish top hat will undoubtedl­y make you stand out in a crowd. These tall, flat-crowned, broad-brimmed hats were once the height of highclass dressing, but today they are a rarity. If you’re looking for a fun and fancy way to class up your next formal event, why not try a top hat?

 ??  ?? MODEL FOR OZWALD BOTENG
SAINT LAURENT FEDORA
PANAMA HAT
BOWLER HAT
SNAPBACK
FLAT CAP
TOP HAT
MODEL FOR OZWALD BOTENG SAINT LAURENT FEDORA PANAMA HAT BOWLER HAT SNAPBACK FLAT CAP TOP HAT

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria