What's your crowning glory? Beanie, beret, baseball or baker boy cap? Trilby or pill box? Fedora or cloche? As winter begins to bite, hit this season's hat obsession head-on with something cosy, yet conspicuous.
You can’t get more old school than Lock & Co on St James’s – est.1676, it’s the oldest retail shop in London and the oldest hatters in the world. Lock hats have woven their way into history on a slew of celebrity clients: the homburg on Winston Churchill, the fedora on Oscar Wilde, and the bicorne on Admiral Lord Nelson (who died in his tailor-made hat at the Battle of Trafalgar). David Beckham? Also a fan. The Cheltenham Trilby is part of their gorgeous women's collection - a wool felt hat that’s fully rollable, so you can easily pack it for weekends away. £125.
Steph is half Canadian, so we couldn’t have a roll call of winter head warmers without including the inimitable Canada Goose. Their Aviator hat has crazy soft coyote fur on the inside and is waterproof on the outside, so you can scoff at the rain when you’re caught short on a winter walk in your parka. £295.
Me+Em is a brand designed by women, for women. The clothes look great, actually fit and properly last - everything you’d expect from a luxury designer, but at Me+Em it’s for a fraction of the price. This striped merlot/hot pink beanie is a heavyweight 7gg ribbed cashmere and will keep you well covered this season. £89.
When Anna Pavlou bought an old suitcase on Golborne Road, stuffed inside it was a bag of broken jewellery. She got tinkering with her find and sold her unique creations at a market stall on Portobello Road. It was the beginning of Mu Du, a stall that's now the London insider’s go-to for quirky hats, pins and hair accessories. ‘The Chloe’ is crafted from rabbit fur felt and printed with a leopard design for a feline winter statement. £210.
There’s a whiff of Russian spy about this Pillbox Hat from Helen Moore, but take comfort that the fur is faux. There is a range of colours – creamy white Ermine, Truffle, Jet black, Ocelot animal print – and the one shown here is Lady Grey. The lining is super soft and the faux fur sweeps around your head, putting your face nicely in the frame. £42.
Look like butter wouldn't melt by wearing this cute beret from Anthropologie. The French never get it wrong, right? This classic cap, called the Fall Forward Beret, puts the finishing touch to any outfit when you're off for a rendezvous.
This dusky pink wool fedora from Rag&Bone, called The Zoe, will keep the winter sunlight out of your eyes (and everyone else's eyes on you). £185. Or for a wider brim and slouchier style try the black Wide Fedora from The White Company. £95