Hats – Combining Warmth and Fashion

You know you should wear a hat in the wintertime; but what about how it looks? And of course there’s always the issue of “hat head.” Is it possible to combine warmth with fashion? Here are some tips on combing warmth and fashion with hats.

Neutral Colors

For men or women, a winter hat in a neutral color is preferable to a hat that matches a particular outfit (although one or two of those is fine, too). A hat in gray, black, tan or brown will match most scarves and coats and winter clothing.

Simplicity

Also applicable for men and women, a simple hat helps ensure that you won’t fall out of fashion year by year. Look for classic, simple styles like lined fisherman’s hats for men and simple knits for women. Keeping the simplicity principle in mind, you can look into various styles and ways of wearing them.

How You Wear It

Now we get into the real nitty-gritty of hat-wearing. Here are some tips to help that warm winter hat look more like a fashion accessory and less like something over a decade old that you dragged out from the back of the closet.

What’s your facial shape? Choosing a hat that works with your facial shape is important for the hat to work as an enhancement rather than a cover-up. The classic beret works for most face shapes. If you have a squarish or heart-shaped face, look to the classic cloche, a mainstay of 1920s flappers. Winter cloches in wool will help keep your head warm.

The furry, circular hats that remind you of Russia also do well with heart-shaped faces, as well as long faces. Slouchy, corded knit hats look great with round faces, but they can be versatile enough to work with most facial shapes.

Of course, making your hat part of your outfit helps with the hat-hair issue, and below are some tips on hairstyles that work with hats. But what if you need to take you hat off indoors? There are tips for that, also.

Hair and Hats

First, let’s look at hairstyles that work with hats.

For chunky, slouched hats and the furry circular hat, go for wearing your hair just straight down. The flowing look works for these. A newsboy style hat looks sassy with a sideways ponytail. If you’re wearing the classic winter beanie, fashion experts suggest going big and wild to compliment the simple style.

Now, what about preventing hat head? Here are some tips.

* Carry mini bottles of your styling medium of choice, such as hairspray, gel, or mousse. Look for travel-size hair products at your favorite store. Slip into the restroom when you remove your hat and touch up your hair.

* Speaking of hair product, try to avoid applying any before putting on your hat. Otherwise, the product will help to hold and mold your hair into the hat shape.

* Put your hair up in to a loose bun or chignon. When you are indoors, you can take it down and, if you are blessed with hair that lies smooth in the face of shaking out, just shake it out! Otherwise, you can do a quick style fix in the restroom.