Help me Pick a Winter Hat!

[Paisley]

I want a new winter hat and I'd like to hear some educated opinions and the voice of experience. All these hats have a satin lining. I cannot return the hat unless it is damaged. I need to have a style that protects my ears and shades my eyes in the winter. I also need a style that suits my complexion. Which hat do you think is the best choice and why?

Camel lamp with satin trim: love the style; do you think the color suits me? Will it go with my gray coat?

Black and white lamp: do you think the brim will get dirty? Is it too contrasty for me?

Black Lamp/Guinea: too black for my complexion?

 

[Ande1964]

Camel!

I like the first one, the camel. I think the color works for you, and it will be the most versatile choice. I think you can wear a gray coat with it, and it will go with anything earthy.

That's just me, though. I tend to go for the earthy tones over black and white.

Anj

 

[Mrs. Merl]

What color do you usually wear? Do you have clothes that go with these - more importantly a winter coat? I have a black winter coat - but oddly I have more brown clothing...I need to coordinate my look a little more I think. Because of this I find myself always thinking "will it go with what I wear regularly" for everything I look at. Just the thoughts that go through my head.

 

[Paisley]

My wool winter coats are charcoal and navy. I also have a tan trenchcoat I might wear this with sometimes. All are pretty simple in design.

 

[Stoney]

How about one with a built in scarf

I've seen a few vintage examples of these that work well as a winter dress hat.
You can tuck the scarf into the crown on nice days, or tie it under your chin when it's particularly windy.

BTW: This one is available for $20.00. I think it would look quite nice if you were to add some lace and perhaps a new ribbon to it.

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/gardenartusantiques/item/1324


Here are some new ones for under $20.00

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/...&keywordsearch=true&keyword=hat+scarf&x=0&y=0

 

[Mrs. Merl]

Well, I think the plain black hat or the brown hat are my favorites. I think that the brown hat has the best look for an everyday piece, the decor on the others don't appeal to me, but speaking as objectively as possible they have a really dressy feel that may not be perfect for daily wear.

For your coats...I think the black might be best for the first two? I think that the black though would look odd with a trench coat, mostly because of the style/decor. I think though you might be able to pull off the brown with all of them if they are the right shades of each color.

Random thoughts...may or may not help?

 

[Paisley]

Thanks for the idea, Stoney! I used to have a derby, but the style didn't really suit me; nothing with a roll brim or a round crown does. I used to have an inexpensive lamp hat, though, and the brim actually did a pretty good job keeping my ears warm.

 

[Joie DeVive]

Hmm, this is a tough one.

I personally don't think that the camel would look good with a grey coat. It would look good with the navy one, and a trench coat, but I don't think it would coordinate with the grey. It does depend on the color grey and the color of the camel though.
I wouldn't go with the one with the white brim. One unfortunate splash from a passing car or wind gust knocking it to the ground could ruin it.
On the other hand, the black would look good with the grey coat or trench coat, but not as nice with the navy one. I am not sure how black would look with your complexion. Can you wear black, or does black tend to wash you out??

 

[Paisley]

I actually look pretty good in black. I don't look good in all shades of brown, though. Taupe, chocolate and cool brown are good; orange-brown isn't.

I actually printed a picture of the brown hat and put it next to my gray coat. It's not an ideal color combination, but it doesn't look bad, either. I don't think the black ones (both felt) would go with a trench coat.

I am more concerned about the hats looking good with my complexion than with my coats. I may replace the coats in a year or two.

As for the trimming, yes, the black ones have a little too much decoration for my taste, but I could probably order them with less.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Based on all the information you've posted so far, and your avatar, I'd say the Camel hat would be ideal. I think it will compliment your complexion and hair. It is also more versatile and tasteful.

The navy coat might look better with it, but I think accessories can fix the problem with the gray coat. Maybe a scarf and gloves to match one of the colors of the hat.

That said, taupe, camel, and chocolate are pretty much never a mistake. Utility over fashion.

Out of curiosity, would you be willing to say where you found that camel hat?

 

[Paisley]

I found the hats at hat-a-tude.com. I have a medium-blue silk scarf that might tie the gray coat and camel hat together. Something in red might work, too--I often get compliments when I wear red.

 

[Paisley]

There's actually a thread about hat & suit colors together:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=21963

Check out post #13: Mr. Rover is wearing a brown hat and gray suit. In fact, I think I like it--it keeps the whole look from being too matchy-matchy.

 

[RBH]

All I can add is that I like the first one!!!

 

[pdxvintagette]

Utility over fashion.

Good lord, did someone on the lounge just say that? I can't believe my ears! (Eyes.)

I typically vote for fashion over utility. And I always vote for buying used over new. There is a great fur felt Henry Pollack brimmed cloche available ... you know where ... and it is grey, so an obvious match for your coat. With the wealth of vintage ladies' hats out there, why buy a new hat and risk having the same one as someone else?

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Good lord, did someone on the lounge just say that? I can't believe my ears! (Eyes.)

I meant it in the nicest possible way. lol

 

[indycop]

I like the first one.

 

[carter]

The Camel Lamp with satin trim seems to be the one that would get the most use.

Have you considered a second hat in a shade of grey?

 

[ken100]

Which one?

Hi Paisley, three great hats, second one I see for evening garden party, third one for the races, both I think would good on you with the right clothes and accesories, but number one... thats the stand out winner for me, I think it would work for you in any number of colour combos and could be worn on a winter morning walk with the pooch or at home at a gala event, the ribbon treatment is soft and warm, reminisint of the deco era. Just my thoughts, but I like it.
Ken

 

[Paisley]

I think we have a winner. The camel lamp it is! (And I don't think I'll be wearing the same hat as everyone else in Denver. )

Thanks, everyone, for all your help.

 

[duggap]

Paisley, good choice. And for a different look you can flib the back of the brim up. (if somebody hasn't already said that)