Who What Wear

The Bowler hat (aka the derby or the billycock) is a felt hat with a rounded top that was invented in London around 1849. The style has endured and although it was, at one time, associated with butlers, the bowler hat is now massively popular among stylish women looking to add a little bit of edge to their outfits.

Bowler Hat, Urban Outfitters, $38

Many of our favorite celebrity/model muses have been spotted wearing the Bowler everywhere from grocery shopping to red carpet events. I happen to think there is something undeniably sassy about a lady with a bowler hat tilted towards the back of her head. This hat can take an otherwise common outfit and pump up its impact by giving it a rock edge.  As Who What Wear noted, the bowler hat also garnered attention on the runway shows of Sonia Rykiel and Limi Feu, showing that it is a style that can also be worn with a bit more sophistication and suggesting that it is about to become even more popular.

Source: Just Jared

I loved the look that Rachel Bilson had at the launch of her new line Edie Rose (more on that later). Although the tie is distractingly long, I think she pulled off this style masterfully. Using the hat and tie to pull together this boyish look, Bilson manages to channel the spirit of a proper young boy without looking like she was wearing a costume. The curvy skinny jeans and layered (pearl?) bracelets are a very nice touch.

For good tips on how to wear this style and where to find the perfect Bowler, be sure to check out Who What Wear. They have an incredible site with a lot of amazing information.