Hats and Coats

Winter has arrived in the Southern Hemisphere, which is a season that I am very fond of. Winter provides the opportunity to wear more clothes than normal, heavy coats overlaying ‘T’s and lighter kit and of course smashing it in a hat. So here goes, my view on hats and coats.

Hat people

Being an observant person that I am, I have noticed that for some people hats are their thing, the hat makes them who they are and they are very rarely seen without a hat. To me these are the hat people as they’ve unlocked a secret that works for them. I’m sure most people can think of at least one friend who is indeed a hat person. One lady that I know springs to mind, she will of course know who she is if she’s reading this blog. There are numerous celebrities who are clear examples of hat people. Namely, UK DJ and ex-Culture Club front man, Boy George, singer and super cool dude, Pharrell Williams and superstar footballer David Beckham is an occasional hat person in my view. All of these gentleman absolutely smash it in a hat.

Hat Styles

Just like pocket squares and shawl scarves, hats can take a look to another level, the key is what hat, how and when to wear it and finally wearing the hat with supreme confidence. Confidence is key, confidence is an attribute that all hat people exude in abundance, they know they look fabulous and therefore wearing a hat is no problem, there’s definitely no fear. The key is to believe. I wouldn’t say I’m a hat person in the strictest sense, I do love hats and am proud to own a ‘Rollable Rambler’ from one of London’s most famous and historic hat makers Lock Hatters in St James’, I also own a fabulous brown trilby from Bates in London. Both are winter hats that I regularly wear with a range of looks. My weekend go to hat is a peak cap that I bought from Hackett in London, I love to wear it with a vintage sweatshirt and red cords, it’s a super look as it combines traditional style with modern relaxed pieces to achieve that effortless cool look that I am always chasing. The hat that is very popular right now is the page-boy cap, thanks to Peaky Blinders, I bought one of these a few years ago from Cordings in Piccadilly and love the soft charcoal tweed that again works well with a more casual relaxed weekend kit.

Hat Tips

I know what they say, you must never wear a hat inside, well I’m going to counter that, I believe that you can wear a hat inside and in fact you must if underneath you have a bad case of hat hair. Keep it on if that’s the case.

I also think that you can get away with a hat indoors if its part of your look rather than simply on your head in to order to keep you warm and dry or to keep the sun from your face.

Know your hat size – hats don’t just come in one size, the fit is important.

Coats

Coats are an essential item in any gentleman’s wardrobe. Although I never quite understand why it is that this very important item is quite often overlooked by southern hemisphere gentlemen. It could be that it is a climate thing, coupled with the outdoors lifestyle of southern hemisphere gentlemen, hence coats tend to be more practical as opposed to pieces of outstanding style. I would say however, that a great coat is perhaps one of the best investments anyone can make. Not only will you be warm on those cold winter days, but from a style perspective, a fabulous coat will take you to another level.

My Coats

I have a range of coats, all of them with a story to tell and all have been great investments. My current go-to coat that I can pretty much wear with anything is double breasted and made from Harris Tweed. I had this tailored and modelled it on a coat that Prince Charles once wore. It’s possibly the warmest coat that I have ever owned and looks sensational with heavy suits and also on a more casual basis with jeans and my favorite corduroys’. I love the fact that I can wear this heavy piece of tweed against a casual backdrop of ‘trackie-bottoms’ and still really rock it. I used to believe that if you owned a Rolex watch then no matter what you wore, you still appeared invincible. Well, I believe this double breasted coat has these very same qualities.

In terms of other coats, I also own very traditional duffle coat (Paddington style) that I purchased from Mulberry in London. This works well with a roll neck jumper and helps me achieve that very preppy British look that I love.

Coat Tips

Invest in a great coat, it may be costly, however you will get years of wear from it if you choose wisely.

In my view sporting coats are just not stylish in any form, they are practical and that is it. My rule is to never ever be seen in a sporting coat, unless I’m on the field of course!

As I’ve just come in from standing on the sideline watching my son play field hockey in what I can only describe as Baltic conditions, I am grateful for my double breasted Harris Tweed coat that has kept me warm. As I stood on the sideline I thought of this article and my mind wondered to that divine Teddy-Bear coat that Winston Churchill used to wear, one-day I will own one of these fabulous coats.

If you can’t do it in style then don’t do it!