Accessory Report: Bowler Hats
Over the past few years, celebrities and socialites have proved that fedoras and berets will indefinitely remain relevant accessories in our closets, but the chapeau shape we’re preoccupied with right now is the bowler! Ever since we saw how charming Keira Knightley looked in a dark brown bowler for Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle campaign last year, we have coveted the chic look and paid special attention to its presence on the heads of our dearest trendsetters. More than just a handful of our style idols (Pixie Geldof, Rachel Bilson, et al) are incorporating bowlers into their outfits for an overall effect that is equal parts quirky and confident. Designers, including Sonia Rykiel and Limi Feu, gave the hat additional attention by featuring them in their fall runway shows. All of this continuous bowler exposure left us with two fated missions: first, find the best size and style bowler suited for us so we can begin practicing the trend ourselves (check). Second, spread the news to our fine readers via a thorough Accessory Report (check, check)!
Originally created in 1849, the bowler (sometimes referred to as the derby or a melone because of its melon-like shape) was created as an accessory for protecting gamekeepers’ heads from hitting tree branches while horseback riding. Since then, it has gone on to top countless and diverse noggins. The most obvious of them, Charlie Chaplin, is immediately associated with the hat, as well as Malcolm McDowell’s character, Alex, in the cult-classic A Clockwork Orange, and Liza Minnelli’s role, Sally Bowles, in Cabaret. (We also have a difficult time imagining what Mr. Potato Head would do without his plastic black bowler!) Whoever inspired the current derby revival so many celebrity fashion muses are partaking in, the results are fantastic. We are elated with how a bowler hat polished the leather jacket and black skinny jeans combo Mischa Barton wore two weeks ago while shopping in Milan. We’re also equally enthralled that Pixie Geldof used one of the chic round hats as a precautionary precipitation shield from Glastonbury's notorious rainfall. The lovely Rachel Bilson incorporated this accessory in the androgynous ensemble she wore while promoting her line, Edie Rose for DKNY Jeans, in Florida last month. Bilson wore Chanel’s Petite Felt Bowler ($1125, 800.550.0005) with her Edie Rose for DKNY Jeans Roll Sleeve Button Woven Shirt ($59), a blazer, and ballet flats.
It’s true that we’re fond of how well a bowler plays out in daywear, but they are equally relevant for nighttime outfits, too. Both Daisy Lowe and Georgia Jagger embraced the derby in their recent evening attire for London’s Fashion Week. Lowe attended the Giles S/S 09 show wearing a sheer Dries Van Noten Top, Les Chiffoniers PVC Leggings ($330), Alejandro Ingelmo Billie Jean 1 Pumps ($830, available at Harvey Nichols boutiques), a Vivienne Westwood Coat, and topped the look off with a vintage bowler from Annie’s Antiques (+44 20 73590796) in London. We also spotted Jagger wearing one very well. She attended Vivienne Westwood’s S/S 09 show in a button-up blouse over a vintage shirt, black mini skirt, three-buckle flats, and accessorized beautifully with a bowler.
If all of the celebrity style support for bowlers, coupled with our own outspoken fixation on this hat shape, has left you in need of one yourself, then our job is almost done! However, we couldn’t let you walk away from this Accessory Report without both takeaway knowledge of the trend and some thoughtfully chosen product recommendations! After scouring our plethora of beloved online retailers, we are most pleased with the looks and prices of Urban Outfitters’ Felt Bowler ($38, in black or blue smoke), Helena Berman's Wool Bowler Hat ($54, in black or cream), and Forever 21’s Ribbon Trimmed Derby Hat ($17). However, we couldn’t help lusting over some more high-end options, like the Japanese-designed CA4LA Felt Bowler ($240) and Sonia Rykiel’s sparkly swan-festooned Felt Hat ($1100). Also notable: all of the chapeaus at Hats in the Belfry, specifically Christys’ Englishman Fur Felt Derby ($288). For those of you who prefer to try on a few different varieties before finding one that is just right, we suggest going to Goorin Brothers in Hollywood, which has been famous since 1895 for their chic selection. Hats off to you, dear readers! —Jessica Amento
Photo of Mischa Barton, INF Photo. Photo of Pixie Geldof, Wire Image. Photos of Rachel Bilson and Georgia Jagger, WENN.
Originally created in 1849, the bowler (sometimes referred to as the derby or a melone because of its melon-like shape) was created as an accessory for protecting gamekeepers’ heads from hitting tree branches while horseback riding. Since then, it has gone on to top countless and diverse noggins. The most obvious of them, Charlie Chaplin, is immediately associated with the hat, as well as Malcolm McDowell’s character, Alex, in the cult-classic A Clockwork Orange, and Liza Minnelli’s role, Sally Bowles, in Cabaret. (We also have a difficult time imagining what Mr. Potato Head would do without his plastic black bowler!) Whoever inspired the current derby revival so many celebrity fashion muses are partaking in, the results are fantastic. We are elated with how a bowler hat polished the leather jacket and black skinny jeans combo Mischa Barton wore two weeks ago while shopping in Milan. We’re also equally enthralled that Pixie Geldof used one of the chic round hats as a precautionary precipitation shield from Glastonbury's notorious rainfall. The lovely Rachel Bilson incorporated this accessory in the androgynous ensemble she wore while promoting her line, Edie Rose for DKNY Jeans, in Florida last month. Bilson wore Chanel’s Petite Felt Bowler ($1125, 800.550.0005) with her Edie Rose for DKNY Jeans Roll Sleeve Button Woven Shirt ($59), a blazer, and ballet flats.
It’s true that we’re fond of how well a bowler plays out in daywear, but they are equally relevant for nighttime outfits, too. Both Daisy Lowe and Georgia Jagger embraced the derby in their recent evening attire for London’s Fashion Week. Lowe attended the Giles S/S 09 show wearing a sheer Dries Van Noten Top, Les Chiffoniers PVC Leggings ($330), Alejandro Ingelmo Billie Jean 1 Pumps ($830, available at Harvey Nichols boutiques), a Vivienne Westwood Coat, and topped the look off with a vintage bowler from Annie’s Antiques (+44 20 73590796) in London. We also spotted Jagger wearing one very well. She attended Vivienne Westwood’s S/S 09 show in a button-up blouse over a vintage shirt, black mini skirt, three-buckle flats, and accessorized beautifully with a bowler.
If all of the celebrity style support for bowlers, coupled with our own outspoken fixation on this hat shape, has left you in need of one yourself, then our job is almost done! However, we couldn’t let you walk away from this Accessory Report without both takeaway knowledge of the trend and some thoughtfully chosen product recommendations! After scouring our plethora of beloved online retailers, we are most pleased with the looks and prices of Urban Outfitters’ Felt Bowler ($38, in black or blue smoke), Helena Berman's Wool Bowler Hat ($54, in black or cream), and Forever 21’s Ribbon Trimmed Derby Hat ($17). However, we couldn’t help lusting over some more high-end options, like the Japanese-designed CA4LA Felt Bowler ($240) and Sonia Rykiel’s sparkly swan-festooned Felt Hat ($1100). Also notable: all of the chapeaus at Hats in the Belfry, specifically Christys’ Englishman Fur Felt Derby ($288). For those of you who prefer to try on a few different varieties before finding one that is just right, we suggest going to Goorin Brothers in Hollywood, which has been famous since 1895 for their chic selection. Hats off to you, dear readers! —Jessica Amento
Photo of Mischa Barton, INF Photo. Photo of Pixie Geldof, Wire Image. Photos of Rachel Bilson and Georgia Jagger, WENN.
Ugly little hats. They are not flattering at all!
Posted by: Ilianexy | 2008-10-13 17:05:49
mocha, i know what you mean, but i don't think it was actually a bowler, i remember them well ( i had one, talk about aging!), the sort that dexies midnight runners wore, they sat more on the back of your head. but then all this is just a rehash of the new romantics. but it is definitely not a pork pie. i do like the way rachel has given it a true chaplin look, she looks very ringwald!
Posted by: sarah | 2008-10-09 15:27:44
lol. I have a well documented love affair with the bowler hat. Looking through my blog apparently I think that _everything_ is better with a bowler hat. It's been glued to my head for awhile now. Next I'm looking into a pork pie hat... snowshoevintage.blogspot.com
Posted by: Snowshoe | 2008-10-08 15:27:17
I love posts like these, these hats are so cute xox ladyelectrique.blogspot.com
Posted by: Lady electrique | 2008-10-08 11:06:13
i absolutely loved this post! the bowler hat has a really cool shape and i'm glad that it's becoming popular again. i'm not sure if i'll be sporting a bowler hat anytime soon, but those celebs sure do look chic in them :) www.xanga.com/fashionforwarddd
Posted by: zoe | 2008-10-08 10:11:05
I know that I am dating myself, but I hate this look. It reminds me of Ducky from the movie Pretty in Pink. I didn't like it then, and it looks even sillier now.
Posted by: mochababe | 2008-10-08 09:07:19
I just made a post on this literally--yesterday! I'm so loving the structured hats and the slouchy beanies right now : ) http://letslivefast.wordpress.com
Posted by: Chel | 2008-10-07 19:29:00
I don't like them but kudos to those who pull it off Beautyandthestreet.blogspot.com
Posted by: amber | 2008-10-07 18:02:32
I've wanted a bowler for a while and had been coveting the Urban Outfitters ones. I had wanted a black, but loved the navy option as well, and couldn't really choose. Also, while they're not that expensive, i didn't have fourty dollars lying around. BUUUUT - I went into a UO store the other day and found them for $9.99 each! I picked up both colors and I'm so excited to wear them. Just waiting for the weather to get colder here in Texas...
Posted by: Ginge | 2008-10-07 16:15:11
i love bowler hats. so cute. i just brought a fedora and my next hat will be a bowler. i almost won one on ebay! a eugenia kim bowler hat..it was so cute. :-(
Posted by: lianna | 2008-10-07 15:31:07
ya got....psssssss...steam heat! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPbv3KAThLY
Posted by: LuVvy | 2008-10-07 14:00:26
Actually, no, Pixie has had short blonde hair like that long before Agyness was on the scene....and it is a bowler, not porkpie. porkpies are flat on top.
Posted by: lovesgemma | 2008-10-07 13:55:57
Jessica, darling-- it's "A" Clockwork Orange, not "The".
Posted by: Stephanitza | 2008-10-07 12:24:43
girl on the top right is trying so hard to be agnyss
Posted by: yeah | 2008-10-07 12:22:10
COME ONE WHO WHAT WEAR THE CORRECT NAME IS PORKPIE NOT BOWLER!!!!
Posted by: Carlos | 2008-10-07 12:11:53
rachel is at her clothing launch that is why she looks like she is in a costume.
Posted by: frances | 2008-10-07 12:03:20
the one Rachel Bilson is wearing is awful, too costume-y and looks like it is for a child!
Posted by: julie | 2008-10-07 11:40:30
my friend has been rockin the bowler hat - http://sugarrockcatwalk.blogspot.com/2008/09/now-wearing_19.html
Posted by: lani | 2008-10-07 11:26:10
Best thing about this post is Llew's comment. I just don't look good in hats other than big floppy ones. :(
Posted by: Aitch | 2008-10-07 10:49:10
Eh, not very sexy. Llew, your comment was hilarious!
Posted by: fashi0nlover | 2008-10-07 09:57:16
I love all hats. Except Bowler Hats. They're good birth control, though.
Posted by: Llew | 2008-10-07 08:51:50
LOVE.. a bowler hat adds character to any outfit, my anti-fedora, anti-headband. it may be hard to pull off because only the daring could truly wear it with upmost confidence (which is always needed)!
Posted by: pOp | 2008-10-07 08:29:28
Not for me. And not many can pull it off.
Posted by: helena123 | 2008-10-07 07:00:58
Um........ not for me!
Posted by: Lo | 2008-10-07 06:33:58
Daisy Lowe looks great! Def not an easy look to pull off tho, the others look fairly ordinary
Posted by: melody | 2008-10-07 06:13:04
loves loves it especially georgina jaggers way of wearing it. where can i get a cheap one?! iheartfashionxxx.blogspot.com
Posted by: jap xxx | 2008-10-07 04:48:51
reminds me of charlie chaplin mel orenji-no-sky.blogspot.com
Posted by: mellysa | 2008-10-07 02:31:35
wouldn't wear it... hard to pull it off ! http://princesssontherunn.blogspot.com/
Posted by: s | 2008-10-07 01:36:54