From the silver screen to the runway, hats are making a grand statement. In the acclaimed, Oscar-nominated film “Sinners,” actor Michael B. Jordan masterfully showcases both a classic fedora and a sharp flat cap while playing dual roles. The fedora makes another striking appearance, paired with sunglasses, in “Nouvelle Vague,” effortlessly evoking 1960s Parisian sophistication. Even during Milan Fashion Week, Prada turned heads with models sporting dozens of vibrantly colored hats, tilted every which way, exuding a sultry charm.
Film Inspiration: Michael B. Jordan’s Stylish Twins
In the film “Sinners,” Michael B. Jordan wears both a fedora and a flat cap in his performance as twins.
Beyond celebrity sightings and high fashion, hats are often seen as a deeply personal style accessory. However, several key factors make them an unexpectedly ideal gift: many styles are designed as one-size-fits-all, and countless options can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Jacopo Politi, the head of style at Borsalino, the renowned Italian hat maker established in Alessandria in 1857, emphasizes their practical appeal. “When it’s cold, you really want to have your ears and your head warm,” he explains. He also notes a significant shift in climate: “The summer season is much longer than before, and the sun is much more aggressive than 20 years ago. So especially the Asian cultures, where tanning is not a big thing, are a huge market for us.”
The Borsalino 50 Grammi: Rollable Elegance
One of Borsalino’s felt rollable hats, the 50 Grammi (50 Grams), rolled into a compact form.
Ready to Wear: The Borsalino 50 Grammi Unrolled
The Borsalino 50 Grammi hat, unrolled and perfectly shaped for wear.
This evolving demand has led to a wider variety of hat styles, providing numerous options for those looking to enhance their own wardrobe or find a thoughtful present. Among these are Borsalino’s innovative felt rollable collection, priced from approximately 340 euros (about $410), alongside timeless beanies and baseball caps available in an array of colors and designs.
Mr. Politi emphasizes that for many shoppers, especially when selecting a special gift, quality remains a top priority.
“We found in our archives some of our very first film footage of the 1920s, and the movements and the way they made the hats in 1920 are exactly the same that we do now in the 2020s,” he shared. “People are wearing hats for more utilitarian reasons, but at the same time it can be a kind of statement.”
At Lock & Co. Hatters, a London institution celebrating its 350th anniversary this year, the focus on quality and rich heritage is equally paramount. Famous for adorning historical figures such as Admiral Horatio Nelson, Oscar Wilde, and Winston Churchill, the company, still family-owned, continues to adapt and appeal to contemporary generations.
“People don’t wear hats like they did in the 1950s and earlier, when it was like putting on a pair of socks, but we’re lucky that it’s in a bit of a resurgence because people are starting to really appreciate great quality again,” observed Ben Dalrymple, Lock’s managing director. “This idea of sustainability and buying well once is definitely an upward trend, and hats are a part of that.”
While purchasing a hat for someone else can be challenging, he assures it’s manageable, especially with the popularity of simpler, adjustable styles or those with flexible return policies. Beyond the basics, he notes a revival in certain designs, possibly fueled by their appearances in popular movies and television.
“People want to look smarter and stylish, of course, and there’s nothing smarter than a trilby or fedora, depending on your height and shoulder width,” he commented. “If you look at films from the ’40s and ’50s, everyone looks so stunning and beautifully tailored. And that’s coming back.”
Lock & Co. offers a diverse range of trilby hats for both men and women, starting at approximately 190 pounds ($260), along with elegant fedoras and sophisticated headwear suitable for weddings, garden parties, or prestigious events like the Royal Ascot.
Style Spotlight: Lock & Co. Hatters’ Atlantic Orange Trilby
The esteemed London hat shop Lock & Co. Hatters features a wide selection of hats for men and women, including the distinctive Atlantic Orange Trilby.
For some individuals, hats have remained a timeless accessory, as fundamental to their daily ensemble as their choice of footwear.
“As a Parisian, I can say that hats never really disappeared, and you can spot people wearing them in a very natural and effortless way,” shared Alice Pittet, a fashion influencer widely known as Alice in Paris. “It’s a signature of Parisian style, and we still have a very strong generation here in Paris who never go out without a hat.”
She also highlighted a growing trend in Paris: “We have seen here in Paris a new generation of Gen Zs and millennials starting to open hat boutiques, and we see variations of, for example, the canotier, which is extremely French,” referring to the flat-brim straw boater famously popularized by Coco Chanel for women.
Currently, she adds, “we see the canotier but very wide and a little oversized,” showcasing a modern twist on a classic.
While selecting the perfect hat can be a delightful challenge, it ultimately serves as a powerful personal statement — or a truly thoughtful gift.
“For gifts, you don’t want to get it wrong, so things like baseball caps, which are adjustable, and beanies and berets that don’t really need too much adjusting either, are safe,” Mr. Dalrymple advised. “Everyone knows their shoe size. Sadly, everyone knows their waist size. But nobody knows, or rarely knows, their head size.”