Coco Chanel's Signature Hat

With my love for fashion, comes my love for the fashion icon herself - Coco Chanel. She defines the meaning of style for me and it's always so inspiring to infuse a little more of the Coco aesthetic into my wardrobe. Her characteristics include simplicity and elegance. She was always able to transform men's wear into chic and comfortable feminine clothing.

Coco Chanel's took Thom Browne's boater hat and elevated it into new fashion heights, just as she did with the little black dress. Being an advocate for breaking all fashion rules, she has been credited with re-inventing it to a whole new level. Originally a men's formal summer hat, Chanel became a licensed hat-maker and owned her first shop in 1910. 

I was never a big fan of hats until I discovered the boater. It's the perfect accessory to any outfit and I love its nautical aesthetic. It can make a casual outfit feel fun and filled with character. It can also add structure and a chic factor to a blazer or suit. The boater hat was the start of my hat collection and it has now resulted to over 20 hats in my closet. 

I have added a few of my favorite tips on how to style hats, including some DO's and DONT's.

DO decorate or embellish your hat.
A hat with a ribbon or embellishment can instantly add a chic factor to your ensemble.

DON'T match your brown fedora too perfectly with your all-brown outfit.
Stay away from being too matchy matchy. If your outfit is brown or dark neutrals, play it up with a different tone, such as nude, to set your look apart.

DO pick the right shape for your face.
Make sure the hat fits your face shape. I am 5, 6'' and I like a hat with a wider brim.

DO be mindful of color.
If you're an all black ensemble, keep the hat black. However, don't be afraid to add a pop of color to play beautifully with your casual look. A burgundy hat always looks perfect with denim and a casual white top. 

Most importantly, have fun! If you like these styling tips, leave me a comment and let me know! I would love to incorporate more tips and advice.

Photos by Henry Young.

SHOP THE POST:
Shoes: c/o Vince Camuto / Jeans: Dynamite Clothing (similar) / Top: c/o Love Culture / Bag: c/o Love Culture / Hat: H&M