3 Hot Winter Hat Trends for 2018
Let’s be honest. The kickoff of 2018 has been a cold one. Real cold. It even snowed in Florida! So, wearing a winter hat this season—whether around town or out on the town—has become a straight-up necessity for most of us. Thus, we’ve curated a list of the Top 3 Winter Hat Trends in 2018 that will accent your winter layering, blending functional with fashionable, so that you can stay stylishly cozy at the drop of a hat. (See what we did there?)
1. The Earflap Hat
When your ears get cold, and you don’t want to fuss with earmuffs, the earflap hat is the way to go. Versions of this protective headgear include the aviator or bomber hat and the trapper, with other hats such as the duckbill and even baseball caps featuring earflap designs for winter weather. The following are two distinctly different trends that each blaze their own trail.
In one fell swoop, the UGG Leather Trapper with Curly Trim, lined with soft sheepskin, allows you to protect your head, ears and neck—in early 20th century aviator style. This will lend classically badass flair to your dress-casual looks while keeping you warm AF. And to boldly trend-blaze where few men dare to go, wear the kitschy earflap hat. (We dare you.) These childlike creations for grown men warm your head while (weirdly) warming your heart with bright colors, braided tassels and baby animal ears as seen on Jared Leto, ASAP Rocky and Adam Levine. The Gucci Wool Hat with multicolor tassels prove tassel is the new pom-pom with a long one adorning the hat’s crown in addition to the tassels tethering each earflap.
2. The Beanie
The beanie really is your best friend for winter—as well as any season you choose. High profile celebs like Ashton Kutcher, John Legend, Jonah Hill and Zac Efron have made this knitted cap, outfitted in fabrics such as wool, acrylic or cashmere, a super-versatile, cold- and cool-weather basic. This does not mean, however, that wearing a beanie is basic. Hardly. Check out these two statement-making options.
Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday, February 4, 2018, where the New England Patriots will go head to head against the Philadelphia Eagles, you can snag a sports team beanie and support your team while weathering the possible snowstorm. This athleisure look is also a great opportunity to sport a pom-pom on top of your head, with confidence. The NFL Shop New England Patriots Sport Knit Hat is cuffed with team pride embroidery and fleece lined with a touch of wool for extra warmth. (You can find hats for Eagles fans and other NFL fans too friends.) And when you’re not feeling sporty, nothing says “DGAF chic” like the Lanvin “NOTHING” Beanie. Made in Italy with finely ribbed wool, this graphic beanie even features a coordinating scarf, sold separately. (PS: Lanvin’s “UTOPIA” Beanie is also dope.)
3. The Driver Cap
Also known as the flat cap, the ivy cap, the cabbie cap and even the crook cap to name a few, the driver cap allows you to cruise through winter with smooth sartorial control. Worn back in the Oliver Twist days of England by working class and intellectuals alike, the driver cap has made a comeback thanks to the likes of Mad Men’s Jon Hamm, athletic and style icon David Beckham and his fashion-forward son Brooklyn Beckham. Here are a couple selections that will keep your head toasty and on-trend.
The Crown Cap Shearling Ivy Cap is a stylishly warm variation of the driver cap fitted with double-faced shearling and earflaps to protect your ears and neck. And then there’s the newsboy cap, which hit the streets in the 19th century and the dancefloor in the 1970s after a young Michael Jackson and his brothers wore it with The Jackson 5. The J. Peterman Company Handsome Thug Cap (what a name—and well-written story below it in the product description) is 100% wool and woven into a retro herringbone pattern that just might make you want to boogie all night, rain, sleet or snow.
No matter what hat you choose to wear, paired with your other essential fashion accessories, to brave the elements, what we know for sure is that in 2018 you do not have to sacrifice looking cool while keeping your head warm.
An insanely creative writer and SOUL #SANGIN’ musician based in New York City, afua shines while performing on the stage and on the page.
