'Fashion’s Top Pick'···Women Wear Fedoras, Too···A Neat Style with a Short Brim

[ 11/14/2008 ]

If the hat makes you think of Kim Du-han from the film ‘The General’s Son,’ you may belong to an older generation. If it brings the idol group Big Bang to mind, you are clearly in tune with a younger one. It is the hat that nearly every cast member of the MBC show ‘We Got Married’ has worn at least once—and that Big Bang members Daesung and G-Dragon are even rumored to share. The fedora has become a favorite of celebrities and style-conscious people alike. # A Fedora Loved by Men and Women ‘Fedora (fedora)—a type of felt hat with an upturned brim, a low crown and a lengthwise crease down the center.’ That is how Samsung Design Net defines the fedora. The black hat worn by TVXQ’s Changmin on MBC’s ‘Quiz to Change the World’ on the 31st of last month is an example. The term can be confusing: in Western countries, “fedora” may refer more broadly to this type of brimmed hat. Here, it generally means a hat with a shorter brim and more upturned edges than a conventional one. Just a few years ago, fedoras were accessories worn only occasionally by celebrities and fashion leaders. Many people even assumed they would be difficult to pull off. But as celebrities wearing fedoras appeared more often in magazines and on TV, the style rapidly spread to the wider public. Photos of celebrities are now posted online in real time, and fashion information is shared widely, making the fedora feel more familiar. With minimalism becoming popular in Korea since last year, the hat has also drawn attention as an accessory that adds a point of interest to a simple outfit. Once considered a men’s item, the fedora is now popular with women, too. It can hide unruly hair, and on days when there is no time to wash or style it—or when it is damaged—hair can simply be twisted up and tucked inside the hat. It also looks much more stylish than a baseball cap. It works with feminine dresses and knitwear as well as masculine-inspired outfits. # Who Has Worn a Fedora? The trend first took hold in Hollywood. As early as 2003, reports noted that style icons such as Britney Spears and Cameron Diaz often wore fedoras. Its popularity has risen and fallen since then, but the fedora has been making a comeback since last year. Keira Knightley, Kirsten Dunst, Kate Moss and Lindsay Lohan have also been seen wearing one. In Korea, Big Bang, Seo In-young and Changmin are among its notable fans. At Big Bang’s concert in Osaka, Japan, on the 28th of last month, G-Dragon wore a red fedora with red plaid skinny jeans, drawing praise from fans. Some Big Bang fans then pointed to a photo of Daesung wearing a very similar red fedora and debated whose hat it was. Among female celebrities, Seo In-young is especially known for her love of fedoras. Early in ‘We Got Married,’ she frequently wore one with her short bowl cut, helping spark interest in the style. Other cast members—including BoA, Lee Hyo-ri, Alex, Kim Hyun-joong, Hwangbo and Son Dam-bi—have each appeared in a fedora at least once. Some internet users have even called ‘We Got Married’ “the show that made fedoras popular.” # How to Style a Fedora Classic wool fedoras in black or gray remain popular. More recently, pink-toned versions with a feminine feel have appeared. Fedoras also come in checked patterns such as tartan, as well as corduroy and calf-hair materials. There are several ways to wear one. You can tilt it to the side like Big Bang’s G-Dragon, though that celebrity-favored look may feel a little bold for everyday wear. A more common approach is to place it gently toward the back of the head so that, from the front, mostly the brim is visible. You can also wear it straight and low, although that may make you look older. With jeans, a printed T-shirt and a vest, add a classic wool fedora with an English-gentleman feel for an unexpected mix of styles. Choose a plain black one to keep the outfit looking neat. With a fitted black suit and white shirt, try an understated checked fedora. Muted colors, such as a mix of gray and burgundy, can give the outfit a polished finish. For a playful look with a skirt, pair a miniskirt with a ruffled or chiffon-trimmed blouse and a vest, then add a fedora. A patterned knit dress, such as one with stripes, also looks feminine with boots and a fedora.