The weather certainly makes adjustments and sometimes dictates its own conditions for choosing a closet. With the onset of cold weather we are faced with a dilemma: to be beautiful and ignore the minus temperatures outside the window or to endure a few months of cold weather, choosing practical but sometimes unsympathetic accessories.
It is not necessary to make an agonizing choice and make sacrifices. You can combine aesthetics and comfort, and save your health. A stylist tells about the right choice of the perfect headwear for cold weather.
stylist of Nonconform stores
“Since childhood we have internalized the rule: at minus temperatures, the head must necessarily be warm. Yes, many may argue that thermoregulation depends on individual features, but still without proper preparation our body will experience a shock from the cold. Therefore, a hat in winter is not just a beautiful accessory that can complement the outfit, but also a useful, necessary for health closet item”.
Here are three main points that indicate the need to wear a hat during critically low temperatures.
1- A hat protects not only your head but also your ears from frostbite. In cold temperatures, it can literally take minutes to get a cold burn.
2. The hat also protects against hypothermia, which can easily develop into inflammation of internal organs: otitis media, meningitis and others.
3. The hat protects the hair from temperature fluctuations. Indoors in winter warm and dry because of working batteries, on the street – cold and wet. This contrast negatively affects the condition of hair follicles.
The right hat will help to minimize possible risks and feel confident, even when the weather is capricious and the thermometer falls below 20 degrees.
Warmed women’s hat O’STIN, 599 RUB.
What are winter hats made of?
All materials from which traditionally made hats, can be divided into two large groups: natural and artificial. Each of them has its own features, positive and negative aspects.
For example, natural fabrics keep heat better, but worse drain moisture. Artificial materials, from which hats are made, have less thermal properties, but have high hygroscopicity and dry faster.
Let’s analyze the characteristics of the main materials that are most often used for warm winter hats.
1. wool
Alpaca, mohair and sheep’s wool keep warm, rarely cause allergies and are pleasant to the touch. At the same time, these materials are easily deformed. Therefore, manufacturers usually add synthetic fibers to them, which help the hat to retain its shape.
An important subtlety in wearing woolen products – they require delicate care, when washing can shrink.
NCF hat made of alpaca and merino wool for women, 2870 rubles.
2. acrylic
Acrylic keeps warm as well as natural wool. But there is a nuance: the material, unlike its natural counterpart, does not allow air to pass through, because of what at not strong frost the head can overheat and start to sweat a lot. Acrylic hats are resistant to wear and tear and can last several seasons.
Demix universal cap made of acrylic, 649 rubles.
3. Fleece
Most often fleece is made of a mixture of acrylic and polyester or polyamide, sometimes natural fibers are added. The material is soft and pleasant to the touch. A big plus of fleece – despite the fact that the material, like acrylic, does not allow air to pass through, it drains moisture well, so that the head will not sweat so much. Fleece hats are durable and suitable for aggressive use, so they are often chosen by athletes.
Aswery Skogen universal fleece hat, 800 rubles / Sportmaster
How to choose the size?
To keep the hat warm, it is also important to choose the right size. How to determine it? Just take a centimeter tape and wrap it around your head, placing it a couple of centimeters above your eyebrows. The tape should fit snugly, but not squeeze. Depending on what style of hat you prefer, the tape can capture the tips of the ears or not.
However, today manufacturers often produce hats in one universal size (one size). In this case, the product before buying it is definitely worth trying on. The hat should fit snugly, but not squeeze. Exception – if you are the owner of lush curly hair and plan to hide them under the hat, choose a looser model.
One more nuance – hats made of artificial materials should fit the head a little stronger than versions of natural materials.
What else to pay attention to?
Despite the fact that we have talked in detail about the differences in materials, manufacturers often make hats multilayer – in addition to the base, a lining is added to the design. As a rule, it is made of cotton or fleece. They both help to keep warm. However, cotton is easier to get wet and slower to dry. In some models, the lining is located only around the ears for extra protection.
If you can easily tolerate frost, it is better to choose a hat without lining, otherwise your head will sweat a lot.
How to decide on the style?
Pay attention first of all to personal preferences: what is closer to your taste. It is important to choose models of hats on the shape of the face. And do not forget to combine with outerwear. If you prefer calm everyday looks, then the following options can be safely purchased for cold days. Such models are universal.
1. hat-bini
A variant that suits both men, women and children. Such hats are easy to fit into any closet due to the variety of models. There are a classic hat-bini; “hatchet” (high, topples on the top of the head); variants with a lapel and without, tightly fitting to the head and, conversely, baggy.
Mini-bini – a shortened version of such a hat. It only slightly covers the ears. It is not suitable for severe frosts. It is better to leave this trend until spring. For winter, you should choose the classics.
HAT-BINI men’s yak down “Khan Cashmere”, 5950 rubles / khancashmere.
2. With pompom
This hat due to its volume is best suited for the owners of lush hair. It will also look attractive in a sporty look. It is suitable for walks in the winter park or for outdoor activities. Warmth will depend on the material, thickness of the knitting and the presence of lining.
Wool hat with a pom-pom for men Finn Flare, 1049 rubles.
3. Ushanka
This hat will suit fans of bolder outfits. Ushanka hats have been in fashion for several seasons already. Popular options are both from natural materials and artificial, and the latter are often found in bright and unusual colors.
Earflaps, regardless of material, are perfect for frosty winter – especially models that are fixed under the chin with special buckles and tightly fit to the ears.
Men’s hat-ear Outventure, 1699 rubles / Sportmaster
4. Balaclava
This option is not a hat at all, however it is a worthy alternative to it. Balaclava has not left the list of winter trends for several years. Recommendations on the choice of material remain the same as in the case of hats. A big plus of balaclava is that, in addition to ears, it also protects the cheeks, mouth and nose. Perfect for cold weather!
Warm women’s balaclava by Mascotte, 1490 rubles.
5. Cap / hood
This accessory combines a hat and a scarf, covering your head like a hood. It will look actual with a coat, fur coat, sheepskin coat. An undoubted trend of the winter season-2024.
Sela women’s hood with manisheka, 1999 rub.
How to choose a hat in the ratio “price – quality”?
Simple hats made of artificial materials can cost from 500 rubles. Variants with imitation knitting – from 1500 rubles. Hats made of natural wool will cost more expensive – more than 2000 rubles. The price may vary depending on the composition, style, technology, brand. Of course, when it comes to an accessory of unusual shape or design, it will differ.
The main thing to pay attention to when choosing (in addition to the comfort of fit) – the quality of knitting or sewing. There should be no sticking threads or snags. Seams should be processed. If there are decorative elements on the hat, they must be securely fastened. Pay attention to the fact that the pattern does not break off at the seams.