We should all add a funky hat to our repertoire
Welcome to the first Search Bar entry. It’s all about hats.
If your deep-dive ever got so specific you were woken up in the middle of the night by an e-bay notification and indeed, a purchase was made, you might enjoy Search Bar.
This is where I spare you doom scrolling through page 40 of [any given website] in search for the perfect something. Fashion rabbit holes are my forté, so rest easy knowing I’ve already done the research.
Search Bar is the perfect place to find multiples of the same-but-different — and virtually everything is available to buy.
A dad-hat became my default hair accessory almost a decade ago. An old friend, one who used compliments sparingly, told me I looked great in my classic Yankees cap. Needless to say I’ve ran with that high ever since.
Cowboy and newsboy hats come at a very close second and third place in my hair accessory essentials list. However, the ability to wear — or “rock” — any other type of hat was mesmerizing to think about. The best dressed people can wear a hat like nobody’s business; Erykah Badu and Tracee Ellis Ross are the obvious people that come to mind. Trust me, I wouldn’t dare compare myself to the masters of personal style.
Hats. You either love them or you hate them — I’ve complied a list of them, from pillbox to beanies to fully understand what part of the spectrum I belong to. Welcome to Search Bar.
A black straw pillbox hat will be the easiest of its kind to style without it feeling like a Jackie ‘O cosplay.
This style of hat tends to run on the smaller side, so keep an eye out for the size — and measure your head. No, really. Measure your head.
Same, but different (season). A faux fur pillbox hat styled with a scarf coat and this look feels recent, AW24 recent.
There’s a genuine sense of jealousy for people who experience a chilly enough weather at least once a year. Living on a tropical island means I can only justify this kind of purchase if I know I’ll be traveling to somewhere far less warm soon. It likely won’t stop me from hitting the Apple Pay sign, but I can’t really justify it.
This hat feels like exposure therapy. Perfectly strange for people to stare at, yet the kind of hat that will make those who dare to push the limits of their own style incredibly secure in this choice.
You make this purchase, you wear it out, you forget people are looking — you’ve mastered your personal style. This advice applies to more than just a red Fez hat, it applies to everything you enjoy that you might suspect others don’t.
Personal style is exactly that, personal.
I do envy you if you pull this off, though.
Taking too long to press “buy” on this sequined-cone-beanie situation might result in it no longer being available. Mostly because I want it and I’m pondering if I’m brave enough to wear it out, but it’s been over a week and I seem to have fallen deeper in love with it.
Ridiculous. Yes. Much like a big part of my wardrobe, and personality.
While Jenny Walton’s raffia midcentury inspired hat is no longer available to purchase, I find myself hopeful that someone with great style will put this faux fur, fluffier lookalike to great use.
Note: I know this style is well-known. I originally wanted to feature Jenny Walton’s hat and realized it was no longer available, while researching similar styles, this caught my attention. This is not a “dupe.”
Spencer Badu designs for the undoubtedly cool. I’ve spotted this Spencer Badu high-top beanie multiple times already on The RealReal, it’s currently on sale.
It’s the kind of hat you can see on your hometown’s sk8er boi and on the coolest Scandi girls. Beanies are universally loved, so add a longer top and Badu’s name and it’s a certified classic.
I have to blame Timothée Chalamet for my sudden interest in Bob Dylan’s folksy, casual style. His iconic snap-brim gatsby hat inspired a lot of this Search Bar entry.
Finding a perfectly tanned suede newsboy cap is no easy feat, so if you want to mimic Bob Dylan’s vibe, I just found one for you.
If warmer weather hats are bumming you at this point of the entry, this straw newsboy cap is sure to lift your spirits.
Light and lighthearted, weird enough to pull you out of a rut and easy enough to wear with multiple breezy styles.
éliou is a summer girl’s true paradise. Although I wouldn’t particularly say I fall into that category, their style has captivated my attention for years now.
The Vaquero hat became a must-have for me from the first drop. I hope it becomes that for you, as well. Although I only promote things I truly do like, this brand is my absolute favorite on the list.
Pardo hats sparked my love for a peculiarly shaped hat. Seeing many of my style icons wear them in the most casual ways helped me open my eyes to the beauty of an odd shape sitting still atop my head.
Raffia lets itself be warped and shaped in the most interesting ways, but this classic shape snuck its way into this list by having a high-crown twist to add some spice.
It’s a long way from a classic, worn-out Yankees hat, but typing “oddly shaped hats” onto my Search Bar has already opened to many doors I’m unwilling to close.
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