The Man in The Hat founder shares with Tatler the best way to style a hat and and protect it from Hong Kong’s heat
While the average person may believe that hats aren’t for everyone, Richard Avery disagrees.
“Some people put on a hat and they think it makes them look stupid,” he said when Tatler spoke to him in his shop, The Man in The Hat, in Sai Ying Pun. “If that’s the case, they’ve obviously got the wrong one.”
He believes anyone can rock a hat—as long as they consider size, shape and colour. He shares with us some tips on how to style and take care of hats that he himself abides by as a vintage hat collector and wearer.
What are the top three things one should consider when choosing a hat?
The first thing is: does it fit? If you put on a hat and give your head a shake, it should stay in place without falling off. It should also not feel too tight.
The second thing is: does it improve your appearance? I always say yes, because I’m a hat believer.
The third thing is: does it make you happy? I’ve seen it many times when someone puts on a hat and it instantly makes them feel happier, so they don’t want to take it off.
What advice would you give to a first-time hat wearer to get them more comfortable about adding hats to their personal style?
There’s been a lot of discussion over the years about the proper time, place and occasion to wear a certain kind of hat. For example, during the early 20th century in England, primarily men who worked at banks [or other such businesses] would wear bowler hats. But I believe that today, you can wear any hat with any outfit.
The suggestion I often give is to match the hat’s colour with the outfit, which I also do myself. For example, if I'm wearing a grey hat, I’ll include grey elements in my outfit.
