They’re well-loved by all genders today, but fedora hats actually got their start as a compact style of headwear for women. They first became popular in the late 19th century after actress Sandra Bernhardt sported one while performing the lead in the play Fédora, and the style soon became an unofficial symbol of women’s rights.
With its mid-size brim and indented crown, the style is versatile and flattering to wear, but there are a few things to consider around how to choose fedora hats that best suit you. We take a look at some of the most important factors, as well as five inspiring ways to wear fedora hats for women, all year round.
Take it to the city
There’s something a bit mysterious about a girl who wears fedora hats in the city, particularly when they’re made from black felt and the brim is pulled down low at the front. Teamed with a pair of dark sunglasses, the message is clear: there’s something to see here.
When wearing fedora hats this way, look to the styling cues of urban street-style stars and keep the rest of the outfit simple, directional and monochromatic. Sharp-shouldered jackets, jeans and spike-heeled stilettos make for a classic look with an edge.
Style aside, there’s also a practical side to wearing designer hats in the city: they’re ideal for trans-seasonal weather, particularly those windy autumn days. When choosing fedora hats for women, it’s useful to consider the shape of your face – a style with a shorter crown or more flared brim is most flattering on women with longer faces. Alternatively, if you have a square or round-shaped face, a hat with a taller crown will help to visually elongate it.
In living colour
If a hat requires thought and commitment, then a coloured hat does even more so – but that just means the style payoff is even greater. Whether in heavier felt for winter or lighter materials for the warm weather, a coloured fedora is ideal for more laid-back occasions, so play up the casual connotations by tilting it jauntily to one side of the face.
Because of the hat’s proximity to your face, when looking at how to choose fedora hats in a colour rather than a neutral, consider which shades are most flattering against your complexion. Warmer skin tones are complemented by dark turquoise, deep red-purple tones and moss and olive green, while cooler complexions will suit clear, brighter colours such as royal blue, sapphire and amethyst. Look to Maison Michel for fedora hats in various shades.
Lighten up for summer
The typically shorter brim on fedora hats may not offer as much sun protection as other styles, but the style is still completely on-point for summer days. This can be a good time to keep things light and breezy, including your headwear, so paler shades such as beige, straw and pastels work well. Similarly, summer’s hot weather calls for swapping the fedora’s traditional wool or rabbit felt composition for a lighter mix of raffia, acrylic or even paper. The lighter styles from Gigi Burris Millinery easily span the seasons, and team well with a ruffled peasant dress or off-the-shoulder blouse for a sophisticated weekend look. And, oh: rest assured that you can leave your hat on even during lunch – the esteemed etiquette experts at the Emily Post Institute deem it perfectly acceptable.
A country practice
While the traditional English country gentleman favours a flat or newsboy cap, fedora hats for women are an interesting way to put a feminine spin on the style. Keep a nod to country style by wearing it with a tweed or plaid jacket, or thick aran knit sweaters. Traditional shades such as camel, grey or dusty burgundy work particularly well for this look, and team nicely with tan leather accessories such as sturdy boots or satchel handbags.
Bohemian rhapsody
As much as the fedora hat can look cool in the city and chic at lunch, there’s also a more bohemian side to this classic style. Indeed, it’s practically compulsory to wear a fedora at music festivals, such as the annual Splendour In The Grass at Byron Bay. Worn in this way, fedora hats are simply one of the fastest ways to add some true grit to a floaty embroidered or floral print dress. Earthy shades of brown, clay or moss work best for that back-to-the-land vibe, and it’s even better if the hat looks slightly beaten-up.
Saint Laurent has lent some extra fashion cred to this look, with former creative director Hedi Slimane frequently inspired by the underground of the LA festival scene. Look to the house’s runway shows for SS13 and SS15 for more styling cues.