As the designer of my hat line, I've got a lot of hats to choose from. And while I love them all, I also have limited space and like to be streamlined in my style.
So I have my go-tos. The hats I grab every time I leave the house. The hats that come along for the travels (and they aren't packable, but I wouldn't travel without them).
Favoring two styles for the winter season: two versions of the same style in different colors and another favorite for winter.
I grab my felt hats when it's cold outside or if the weather cools down a little. I love the feeling and look of felt, and if you know me, you might have guessed my favorite felt hat is the Vaughn Hat.
I love this hat. I love the ease of the raw-edged brim. I can toss it in the back of the car, and it's a no-fuss style. It's warm, stylish, goes with everything, and helps with those winter hair days. And while the Vaughn Hat can be styled multiple ways, I wear mine with a classic pinch and a slightly upturned brim.
My first Vaughn was in the color charcoal. I wear this one the most, like 60% of the time. And I adored my Vaughn Hat so much I wanted a lighter color version, so I now have one in alabaster—a perfect winter white. The alabaster felt is softer, so I made a few design adjustments to enhance the softness. The brim is slightly shorter, but the high style is all the same.
I have loved this hat for days when I want a lighter look, a play on the different winter whites in multiple layers, or when I wear tans, camels, and beige. It's also great with navy outfits.
As much as I love the relaxed look of the Vaughn Hat, some days, I want a more structured look. Something more tailored but still effortless in style; those days, I go for my Minimalist City Fedora in the color mink.
The mink is a beautiful taupe color, goes with everything, and adds a bit of warmth to my face, which is very welcome on colder days. The stylized crown with a dedicated pinch and a 2 ¾ wired brim gives a classic look, whether in a dress with leggings, a coat and scarf, or a sweater and jeans.
As I wrote this, I noticed that all my current winter hats are without trims—no ribbons, berries, flowers, feathers, or leather. While I adore all those trim options, I love the simplistic and minimalistic look of the unadorned hat shape. I add trims to my style in my earrings, necklaces, and scarves. But if I were to go for a trim for a winter hat, it would be a velvet ribbon. I love the texture of velvet with felt. Or a wide metallic leather band. Both are unique and stunning options.
You don't need a ton of hats, but you do need the perfect choices to keep your style fresh and your head warm! Function meets fabulousness.
Hint: Grab a scarf when pairing a hat with your winter look. Go for a print, a complimentary pop of color, or a different tone to the hat or coat that connects the two. It's a great way to stay updated and polished through the most intense weather months.