B Chic! With These Fall 2014 Hat Trends

I had a moment this morning. I woke up thinking about my lifelong hat obsession. I started wearing them when I was 3 or so and have since then become a collector  of the head accessory. From flapper style from the 30s, to traditional church hats, to cocktail pill boxes, to masculine fedoras, and my mom’s hand knit collection, I have a hat for everything. There was a time I had over 200 styles. And wore them all. I talked about it in this post with great passion! I’ve scaled back in the last 2 years but only because my hairstyle is changing and evolving. And if you know hats, you know you can’t rock a hat with every hair style. Fortunately, I’ve got a hat head, so I’ve been able to get away with just about any style.

And while my hair is the shortest it’s been in almost 20 years, I’m committed to rocking my hats the way I love and used to. I was known as the “hat queen” about 10 years ago. I want that name back!

Here are some classic and haute styles en trend this season as seen on tons of runways during fall fashion week; all of which we can don this fall. There’s something for everyone. If you don’t have a hat head or the guts (especially the big crowd attention grabbers — the 15″ fedoras and such) to pull off a larger than life brim, there’s a topper for you. Even if it’s a pretty knit one for every day wear. Sass it up. Make it yours.

The quintessential French hat. I was just in Paris two weeks ago and noticed ubiquitous this ultra chic hat is still worn. Woman and young girls make this their uniform. And somehow, they make it work with everything from pant suits with a crisp white collar shirt to jeans and fabulous wedge sneakers. If you’re on the edgier side, opt for a sequin one. Don’t forget to droop it to the side. It’s modern swag. Or the way it’s always been done.

This is definitely for the bold-hearted. It doesn’t go with everything nor does it belong on your “grab and go” hat stash. Reserver it for big days where you don’t want to play dress up. Let this sky high fashion forward style carry the entire look. Colours like chartreuse are pretty but subtle enough to draw the right kind of attention. Long hair or oval-shaped faces look great in this topper. However you wear your hair, just don’t be afraid to get the some stares. It’s inevitable. Some cities in the US just aren’t ready for this fabulous style. Carry on.

I get it’s not for everyone, but fur hats are the epitome of high fashion, glamour and luxury. I personally love the few I have and don’t mind the crazy warmth they give. Old vintage styles were demure and paid attention to simplicity while modern design add extra oomph with ear flaps and extra large sizes, towering up to 6″. In all their glamour, they are a staple in any fall wardrobe. Lanvin’s ’14/’15 runway show exemplified their trend by fusing furry accents into other styles. No matter how much of it, the fur trend is here to stay.

Channel your inner Downton Abbey character with a well-designed cloche. This is classy at its best. The all Americana vintage style never goes out of style and offers a level of femininity few other styles do. As with most hats, let it speak for itself. No need to adorn yourself with much more. It’s a beautiful statement piece. And in cream… it’s screaming, “timeless!”

Fret not the bold look. The juxtaposition of  structured and bright just work. It completes an already beautiful look. This woven Marni hat, with its close resemblance to the famed Russian fur topper, is all about confidence and boardroom chic. 

A bit over-styled here, but the boho look is perfect for the floppy hat. It’s so fabulously 70s. And so fabulously feminine. If you had to ask, it’s probably the most beloved modern day hat. It’s sexy, glam, and just all around perfect.  Maxi skirts work best with the iconic hat.  For fall, a fur felt or wool in neutral colors like cream, burnt orange, black,  or gray will go a long way. Go all the way glam or boho chic.

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