Photography by Chris Nicholls

Here’s an Accessory Trend That Won’t Cost You a Fortune

Unless you buy the one by Isabel Marant.

Designer Joseph Altuzarra has changed my mind. At his Fall 2018 show in Paris, I sat next to the most beautiful French woman I’ve ever seen, and just like that, I finally understood why so many people worship French-girl style. The woman in question looked like a Pinterest pin come to life. She wore dark denim flares, a belted check car coat and a cross-body bag that was, “oops!” too small for her invitation. This woman just had to carry her ticket-in-hand, calling attention to her deep red manicure. But the kicker was this, I couldn’t make out her eyes because she wore an exaggerated sailor cap in black. This was the dealmaker: The hat. Some might call it a “newsboy” or “cabby” hat but suffice to say, this chapeau was ubiquitous at Paris Fashion Week. Most often in leather and almost always in black.

At Dior’s Fall show in a tent on the grounds of the Musee Rodin, every single model stomped down the runway in a cap of this ilk. The air of resistence was heightened by the fact that every woman wore also square tinted sunglasses. Creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri used similar hats for Spring (with lace veils) but for Fall she was inspired by the protest and Youthquake movements of the 1960s. Models wore practical boots and looked militant as they moved.

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Socialite/model Bella Hadid is frequently seen in a sailor’s cap, which is fitting because I’ve always thought the younger Hadid vibes more European than California girl. That might be why she gives off this Charlotte Rampling/Night Porter aesthetic whenever she strikes a pose. Not that the sailor cap belongs to any one land mass or moment in time. In 2013, photographer Chris Nicholls captured Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy (top) for FASHION Magazine wearing a chained leather sailor hat. It’s not like this is new for fashion, but it’s always edgy and a little dangerous.

Check out sailor caps below.

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