If you don’t want to go to the expense of a hat, just make your hair look like one. The antithesis of 2008’s messy Winehouse beehive, for this summer’s sculptured hair think Lady Gaga’s huge bow made of hair, Lily Allen’s wigs and La Roux’s asymmetric quiff.
Who does it suit?
People who weren’t alive in the 80s. If you live in Shoreditch, east London’s epicentre of cool, then you’re probably already working this look.
How to wear it:
Think new romantic with a noughties edge and lots of Elnett. La Roux wears hers with pale metallic eye makeup for an unearthly look, while VV Brown (pictured) matches her rockabilly fringe roll with red lips Photograph: Francois Durand/Getty Images
Retire your cowboy hat (take note, Cheryl Cole) and jump on the Jackson homage bandwagon (it’s cheaper than a Balmain jacket). Alternatively, try a boater, as seen at Marc Jacobs this spring and worn by Chloe Sevigny (pictured).
Who does it suit?
Everyone from BBC political commentators (Andrew Marr wore a panama at Glastonbury) to off-duty actors (Lindsay Lohan in a Jackson-style fedora).
How to wear it:
Slightly battered straw versions look best. If you want to go smarter opt for a coordinated ribbon as seen at Gucci this season. Sevigny wears her boater with a Chloé shorts suit for instant Hampton chic, while panamas are the perfect foil to a summer dress and gladiator sandals. Chaps should go with rolled-up jeans or chinos Photograph: Charles Sykes /Rex Features
Natasha Khan, aka Bat for Lashes, kicked this off with her onstage sparkly boho headbands and now no festival worth its salt is complete without teenage girls aping her with everything from daisy chains to headscarfs. The grown up version is the “head girl” hairband – channel Victoria Beckham (pictured) and Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf.
Who does it suit?
As with pigtails there is an age limit on boho headbands (it looks best on teens) but hairbands suit all ages.
How to wear it:
For boho bands, loose wavy hair looks best (wear the band over the hair rather than under it) while a more grown-up headpiece demands a groomed style, such as Beckham’s Photograph: Rex Features
For special occasions, fascinators have become the mainstay for the masses. From a collection of feathers to a full-blown fruit bowl on a clip or hairband, these extravagant head decorations have become as common a sight at summer events as a glass of fizz. But it’s starting to feel a little bit 2008. Instead, a pillbox hat, worn on the back of the head, looks elegant and chic. Think Carla Bruni (pictured) meeting the Queen.
Who does it suit?
All face shapes and hair styles.
How to wear it:
The pillbox works perched atop both big, wild hair and sleek chignons (if it’s breezy, don’t forget your hat pins). With fascinators, go for one with a wide hairband for extra comfort Photograph: Mark Cuthbert/PA
Giles Deacon showed giant Pacman heads on the catwalk last September and since then we’ve had the Pet Shop Boys’ dancers wearing boxes on their heads at the O2, Madonna in blue Louis Vuitton bunny ears, Kate Moss’s turban and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Glastonbury wearing a giant fluoro “hand” headdress (pictures).
Who does it suit?
Attention-seekers only. The late Isabella Blow was the queen of this category, regularly wearing a galleon or lobster creation on her head.
How to wear it:
Release your inner exhibitionist and take a dressing-up-box approach; the rest of your look should match the playfulness of your headwear Photograph: Yui Mok/PA
Feather headdress, £20.00, by Topshop, 0845 1214519 Photograph: Anna Gordon
