Six headwear trends to know this spring

Hats are tricky. No other item of clothing (not even jeans) requires as much searching. That said, there is a hat out there for everyone - even those who have an annual dalliance with a fedora at the first sign of spring, only to decide for the umpteenth time that it’s not for them. Success is largely down to trial and error.

''First and foremost I recommend trying on lots of pieces,’’ says London-based milliner Awon Golding. ''A strong jawline can generally carry a brim well, but they can be tricky if you’re small, since a brim creates a visible barrier making you look shorter,'' she continues. ''If you’re tall you can usually get away with a wider silhouette.''

But while hats have long been necessities for formal occasions, this season saw hats return to the fashion mainstream. The spring/summer 18 catwalks were rich with inspiration. A classic style is worth investing in, but if you’re keen to try something a little more of the moment, the high street is awash with affordable options.

Race-day hats

Pale grey oversize hat, £39, Debenhams 

A great hat is an investment. Look for a colour that won’t date, and that you’ll be able to wear time and again - navy, cream, black or - for a bolder option - red are all good choices.

For off the peg designer options, head to Fenwick. The department store has a plethora of styles for a variety of budgets. Large, 90s-esque styles (think Four Weddings and a Funeral) are experiencing a revival. Wear them with a jumpsuit for a modern take. Alternatively, disk hats are always a sleek option, which can afford to be worn with classic pieces.

Fenwick is also launching the Official Royal Ascot Millinery Collective on 18th April, offering made-to-order designs by milliners including Philip Treacy, Rachel Trevor-Morgan and Monique Lee.

On the high street, John Lewis and Debenhams’ ‘Debut’ line have excellent, affordable options, from oversize styles that will add glamour (not unlike those that emerged from the Missoni and Jacquemus shows), to understated classics.

Beret

Bow beret, £9.50, Asos

The pancake-shaped hat was reinvigorated by Dior creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for autumn/winter 17, who has made them a key component of every collection since, presenting denim and veiled styles designed by milliner Stephen Jones for this season. Meanwhile on the high street, ASOS and French Connection both have classic woolen styles for under £20, which will look good with a transitional trench.  

But a beret can look refined too. Soon-to-be-Duchess Meghan Markle recently appeared in a cream Stephen Jones design, proving that you shouldn’t rule out the beret for your impending spring events. Unless perhaps if it’s Ascot you’re heading to as, while berets aren’t strictly banned since they cover a ‘’sufficient area of the head’’ (at least 4 inches), they are advised against on account of the fact that they’re deemed unbefitting of a formal occasion.

Newsboy Caps

Nautical cap, £15.99, Zara

In the same camp is the beret’s slightly more structured cousin, the newsboy hat - otherwise known as a nautical cap - which is ubiquitous this season. Global fashion search platform Lyst has witnessed a 45% increase in searches for the style in the last month alone.

Worn by Francoise Hardy and Brigitte Bardot, the caps have been re-energised by the likes of Susan Sarandon and Diane Kruger. For a classic take, head online to Weekday (£18) or to French label Saint James (£39). One of the most popular iterations is the Isabel Marant ‘Evie’ cap (£110 from Net-a-porter) which is reissued each season.

Straw

Zigzag boater, £270, Jess Collett Milliner

For hats that will be useful for both event season and sunny holidays, seek out straw styles (à la Loewe and Elie Saab), searches of which Net-a-porter report have doubled since January of this year. See Sensi Studio for the panama hat 2.0. The Ecuador-based brand offers subtle-but-interesting designs. Awon Golding’s Panama ( £270) would look good with a sleek trouser suit for a spring wedding.

Lyst has reported a 24% increase in searches for boaters this year. At Emporio Armani they were adorned with a ribbon and at Chanel they were see-through. Lock & Co do a good classic boater (£135), and British milliner Jess Collett does a smart monochrome, embellished style (£270).

Fascinators

Teardrop fascinator, £55, John Lewis

If fascinators - a style Golding recommends for those with  smaller faces - are your preference, official Ascot milliner Siggi does wonderfully intricate ones (from £300, available at Harrods). While mass-produced fascinators have lately come under fire as being a bit naff, they’re much more wearable than larger hats, and better suited to some occasions. Investing in one from a specialist hat label for an unmistakably elegant version.

Turbans

Jennifer Behr silk-satin  headwrap, £1031, Moda Operandi

On the subject of hats that aren’t hats: turbans and headwraps littered the runways. Marc Jacobs did colourful, jewel-laden styles which, although beautiful, sparked controversy in response to the designer’s use of starlets Sophia Loren and Elizabeth taylor as reference points, while failing to mention the accessory’s African origins (Gucci similarly fell under fire for wraps that resembled traditional Sikh turbans).

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi and Veronica Beard erred on the side of caution, and to excellent effect, showing a barely-there camel headscarf and fabulous printed headband-cum-turbans respectively. Oysho has polka dot and toffee linen styles, both of which will look fabulous with a swipe of red lipstick. Or if you’re looking to invest, New York designer Jennifer Behr (stocked at Moda Operandi) does heavenly silk headbands and embellished turbans (from £300).