There was a time when wearing a hat was considered compulsory to a man’s outfit – a kind of millinery declaration of status – and he who dared not adorn his head with one was in danger of being viewed as improperly or incompletely dressed. The various styles of hat on offer in years past were splendidly made accessories, with carefully considered names that reflected their history and provenance. However, a certain stigma became attached to wearing a hat, a fear of looking ‘old-fashioned’ or even unfashionable. Thankfully, that besmirchment upon the hats’ reputation has all but faded, and its stature is rightfully being restored by a handful of celebrities and hat enthusiasts who make wearing one look simply effortless.
Hats have come a long way both visually and practically, if the first pictorial depiction of a cone-shaped headpiece in a Thebes tomb is anything to go by. So many to choose from, so little time to wear them all. Such characterful hats as the bowler – of Charlie Chaplin fame – fez, sombrero and beret looked great for a while, but these particular styles are not those currently being dragged kicking and screaming into the more fashionable 21st century; of course, that’s not to say they won’t be anytime soon. Those that are popping up in ever-increasing numbers on prominent heads such as David Beckham, Justin Timberlake and Johnny Depp are the fedora, cowboy, beanie and newsboy, with other slightly less conspicuous contenders being the boater, trilby and old favourite, the baseball cap.
The Baseball Cap
The late Nineties seemed to witness a boom in baseball caps, the most prevalent being those manufactured by the big names in sportswear. There have been some pretty ridiculous versions over the years, with ludicrously long peaks or skyscraper domes, but those enjoying a resurgence of late are of the classic ‘Brooklyn’ style, with a perfectly proportioned peak and flattering dome. Gone are the days of the graffiti-splattered, blinged-up caps sported by rap stars; menswear manufacturers, such as Gents, have introduced a stylish line-up that feature soft, unprocessed colours and pared-down motifs such as those favoured by Prince Harry.
The Beanie
David Beckham enjoyed a well-earned reputation as being one of the world’s best footballers, and what with being in the public eye on a regular basis alongside a fashion-designer wife, he obviously has to do his duty and keep up with the lastest fashion trends. The beanie seems to be the piece-de-resistance of many of his outfits, but in each case he never fails to look ruggedly cool, teaming the contents of his hat collection with either a simple t-shirt, scarf and hoodie or leather bomber jacket. The beanie has a couple of guises, either a slouchy style or a more skull-sculpted look, both of which are perfect for an informal, dressed down occasion as well as being functionally comfortable and warm in a variety of chunky knits, such as those offered by Superdry.
The Newsboy
Popular in Europe and the United States in the late 19th and 20th century, the newsboy – named due to its association with newspaper boys – goes by many other names, among them baker boy and cabbie, and is essentially a flat cap with a fuller, rounded body and a crowning button. George Clooney is anything but a boy, but he looks positively youthful and smart in his grey marl version. Urban Excess offers a range of newsboys in various muted shades, as well as leather; as tempted as you may initially be to team it with a waistcoat and braces, you’ll be surprised to discover that it also compliments understated sweaters, cardigans and upmarket slogan tees.
The Cowboy
King of Cool Johnny Depp never seems to put a foot wrong in the hat-wearing stakes, favouring loud patterns and colours to match his intense personality. His signature look is surely the wide-brimmed cowboy hat – most notable for their affiliation with ranch workers – but suitably battered, well-worn and with a few personal adornments to boot. The market boasts less raucous articles, however, should you want to avoid drawing excess attention to yourself, and you’ll be spoilt for choice with felt, straw and leather, each offering a new twist on an outfit. The big player in this game is undoubtedly Stetson, however smaller outfits like Shady Brady can just as easily knock up a traditional, long-lasting accessory to get you in the Wild West mood.
The Fedora/Trilby
The fedora, as we know it today, was first conceived around 1910, but then fell out of favour in the Forties; the new, compact cars of that era made it nigh on impossible to enter and exit a vehicle without the hat suffering a few scuffs and scrapes. Today, however, it bedecks the heads of celebrities such as Justin Timberlake and Hugh Jackman, and the style is as compact as the Forties cars that forsook them. Usually constructed from felt, with a central crease running across the crown, there is a distinct pinch at either side, with a brim of around 2.5 inches. The trilby, an offshoot of the fedora with a narrower rim and often seen on singer Olly Murs, is usually of the straw variety. Either way, this neat little hat is the perfect accompaniment to casual and formal outfits – Borsalino have a great line – and is great for those not quite ready to experiment with oversized proportions.
The Boater
Who could think of anything but a barbershop quarter when envisioning the boater, the flat-crowned straw hat with ubiquitous coloured band? Previously also worn by women – secured with a trusty hairpin – they for a while became a rare species, perhaps only seen at rowing or boating events, or in a theatrical performance as period costume. Their steady reappearance has been a ray of sunshine, literally; considered warm weather hats, they epitomise summer in straw form, with their pale hue and lightweight feel. This classic, of which versions are available from fine English headwear retailer Olney, should be top of the list when choosing a high-class hat for the sultry season.
