Looking for a winter hat

I'm looking for a hat to wear in the winter, to keep my head warm while going to/from work. I wear business casual to the office, defined as dress pants, shirts, and shoes, with a wool charcoal calf-length overcoat. I am not in a customer-facing role, but routinely am seen by and frequently interact with people much further up the chain from my present rung of the ladder. Therefore, I dress conservatively -- which, incidentally, is also (in my opinion) a prerequisite for the kind of work I do.

I am trying to find a hat that will complement that look and will not make me look like the stereotypical Russian Spy from the old spy thrillers, nor that will be a wool knit cap.

I have never ventured into this particular realm of accessory. Your thoughts are most definitely appreciated! If there is any other information I can provide, please let me know and I will try to provide it.

Thank you!

A good wool flat cap might be a good place to start.

Edcculus said:

A good wool flat cap might be a good place to start.

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That's a good thought. I'm not sure those kind of caps work well with a rounder face like mine. It seems like it would appear to be too much head for not enough cap, but maybe I'm wrong. This is something to look into.

Any particular brands/labels that are considered good quality?

Pretty much anything marked Harris Tweed. Check out Villagehatshop online; a huge variety of almost any style you can think of

I wear a grey herringbone Harris Tweed trilby. Have had many compliments on it. And it is warm when it is cold here in Nebraska.

I was going to say "why do you want to buy a winter cap in May in the northern hemisphere?" but you may come up on good deals buying off season.

I swear by mine. It's also the reason for my custom title.

Leather, shearling lined. The shearling folds down to cover your neck if you like.

oc_in_fw said:

I was going to say "why do you want to buy a winter cap in May in the northern hemisphere?" but you may come up on good deals buying off season.

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... and that would be a great question! I'm starting my research well ahead of my need so I can spend some time figuring out what I want. That way, when it's time to buy, I've already primed the proverbial pump.

Thanks for all the feedback, gentlemen -- keep it coming!

A trilby or Fedora.

I have a wool grey herringbone Newsy cap that I get compliments on when wearing it with my black wool overcoat.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/384204-New-Newsy-Cap-whatcha-think

It wasn't real expensive but not a $15 cheapo either.

The trilby suggestion may be a good option also, unless that would be too much of a spy look.

That's why I suggested the flat cap, also known as a newsboy cap. It's a good entry level hat. IMO it's has to jump into a tribley or fedora having never worn a hat.

Edcculus said:

That's why I suggested the flat cap, also known as a newsboy cap. It's a good entry level hat. IMO it's has to jump into a tribley or fedora having never worn a hat.

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+1. I included a link to the other tread so he could see one on somebody with a more "rounded" face than I have.

May I suggest something in the vintage variety? Never goes out of style

This site, posted by the Professor (I believe), is a giant jumping off place to look at hats. http://www.hatsandcaps.co.uk/olney-hats-harris-tweed-herringbone-flat-cap-grey-p160106/

Do you need winter insulation & ear protection, or just a more season-appropriate accessory? Or is it rain protection?

I would recommend a different hat if you were in Seattle, Chicago, Miami or Nome.

Doc4 said:

Do you need winter insulation & ear protection, or just a more season-appropriate accessory? Or is it rain protection?

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That, sir, is an excellent question. I'm asking this because I want something to keep my head (and, optionally, ears) warm during the walk between my various commute points. However, it's important that it fit into my environment at work and my personal dress code. If I had to choose between one that was a perfect fit but not as warm, and was warm, but was only on a 90% fit, I'd consider both choices on their merits.

Does that answer your question?

Yea obviously anything offering war protection will be more "casual". You could always get some of those compact behind the head ear muffs. The ones I have fold up and fit nicely into my coat pocket

I have a flat cap with ear flaps that fold down when you need them and disappear when you don't. Similar to this http://www.irishongrand.com/product...qLqs20dWKUOOsiQlw_204YrV4UBLBOJIK3RtF3ijw_wcB

Random Shaver said:

That, sir, is an excellent question. I'm asking this because I want something to keep my head (and, optionally, ears) warm during the walk between my various commute points. However, it's important that it fit into my environment at work and my personal dress code. If I had to choose between one that was a perfect fit but not as warm, and was warm, but was only on a 90% fit, I'd consider both choices on their merits.

Does that answer your question?

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Personally, I like a shearling "aviator" style cap like this ...



You can tie the ear flaps up in cool weather, and down in cold to really protect the ears. Get real shearling if you can afford it at all, as it's fantastic and very insulating. There are other styles that are maybe not as insulating, but a little less "north west mounted police", if that is what you are after.

Check out these guys:

http://crowncap.com/shop/

Mad Bomber hat, nothing like it for really cold weather. Not exactly high fashion, but, then again, neither am I