(None of the images are mine unless stated otherwise)
As Summer draws to a glum close, the time has come to reflect upon the biggest trends that this year has brought forth.
One of my favourites has to be the reintroduction to dramatic hats that singer Pharrell Williams heralded with the aid of Vivienne Westwood. The Buffalo hat - which is a remake of the brand's pieces from the Autumn/Winter 1983-83 collection - has made waves across the board and featured heavily in the video for one of the Singer/Producer's latest singles, 'Marilyn Monroe'. The hat was subjected to mixed reviews however, as some people praised his expression of individuality while others just thought he looked rather
My opinion?
Story time, kids. Probably about 3 or 4 years ago, a similar hat trend was sweeping across London. Not being one to miss out on the fun, I went and bought myself a trilby and felt fedora type thing. I loved the trilby - all of the trendy hipster kids on Lookbook were wearing them (if it's good enough for them...) and it went with most of my outfits. The fedora...not so much. Like a wally I let the refund time period go by and stuffed it in a 'bin it' box along with other sartorial undesirables. Three years after having gone off to uni to commit far more obscene fashion crimes, my father brought out the dreaded box.
Out came the hat (which I'd forgotten was even in there) and to my surprise, I looked pretty damn awesome in it. I don't know whether my change of heart was down to a shift in current trends, a shift in my own personal taste, or if perhaps my face shape had changed, but I do know that it has become my favourite hat and I have no intentions of letting it go.
Hats are accessories that add an immediate surge of character to any outfit. I like to team mine with a pair of navy linen chinos (rolled up at the hem of course) and a plain charcoal T shirt for a casual pub lunch or cafe date. I jazz up the outfit with a gold link necklace, dark RayBans, a pair of navy low-rise Converses and of course that all-important hat. What was once a very basic and extraordinary outfit is given a quirky little spin with one simple addition. I love clothes and accessories that blur gender lines and if there's any item that does this best, it's the hat. I could wear one with a fitting pant suit and some penny loafers and still feel just as feminine as if I were wearing a killer red dress and YSL pumps.
For some versatility and good old dependability though, I look no further than my newly-trusted fedora. As for Pharrell's signature Buffalo Hat? I say more power to him! Amy Winehouse had the beehive and Elvis had the quiff - I don't see why a good hat can't become a permanent fixture to mark one's individuality!
