It is true — not all of us can pull off hats. It takes a certain swagger and appeal to don a fedora or derby cap. But luckily for us, there is a simple style hat that works on almost anyone. It brings class and style, while still letting personality shine through. This season, be sure to update your hat collection, and wear your wide brimmed hat.

For the longest time, wide brimmed hats were considered an item of the aristocracy. Even Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge and wife to the future King of England, wears them on a regular basis. Audrey Hepburn, the stunning actress from vintage classics such as Sabrina and My Fair Lady wore wide brimmed hats — from gardening to the Oscars. 

Designers have created stunning hats every year — but it is not necessary to purchase a current hat to stay on trend. Vintage hats are just as fashionable, if not more, than modern ones. There are many designers who dapple in millinery, for others it is their entire profession. 

For an avant-garde look, Belgian designer Ann Demeulemeester created a stunning extended wide brimmed hat. The eclectic piece is made out of black nylon, and warps in a wave like matter around the circumference. Yet there are two millers who routinely top the celebrities and fashionistas of today — Eric Javits and Eugenia Kim. Eric Javits, who has been creating hats for nearly 30 years, is most famously known for his squishee hat. That is a wide brimmed hat that you can roll up or fold in a drawer or suitcase, and then pull out and it falls into its correct place with no creases. This season, he has a few stunning hats in his collection. His ‘socialite’ hat is a draw wide brimmed hat with a thick white ribbon around the base. He also has a turquoise blue wide brimmed hat with a large matching feather. And the most glamorous — he has a wide brimmed white straw hat with a thick black brim and black top, typical of what Audrey Hepburn would have worn. Eugenia Kim is a New York based fashion designer. This season she created an oversized large brimmed hat made of light straw material. The centre features a black chiffon ribbon with micro-detailing. 

Socialites and celebrities are donning the hat in varying styles of ensembles. Kim Kardashian likes to keep it simple, with large oversized solid colored hats with no embellishments. Rihanna and Beyonce keep it trendy with a thick brim and flat top. Kate Middleton, true to British tradition, wears a variety of coloured with heavy embellishments. 

Whether you want to be noticed, or just cover up from the sun, make sure you have a classic wide brimmed hat this season. 

That’s the fashion scoop for this week. Got a thought? Trend? Style you hate? Send it my way. 

Rachel Breaux is an American living in Rwanda.