Unpacking iconic milliner Eugenia Kim's most recent capsule collection.
In the Global North, frigid temperatures in January and February force us to wear the accessory most of us ignore during the rest of the year: a hat. While in decades past fashionable women had mouthwatering hat collections — part of what made Blair Waldorf’s wardrobe on Gossip Girl feel so holier-than-thou was her devotion to headwear, as it made her look like she came from a different time — hats have now become increasingly utilitarian. A beanie to protect the body from the cold; a baseball cap to shield from the sun; a horrendous furry bucket hat that does not belong at the club. Straw hats or other more playful styles are reserved for the beach. But I, for one, am tired of having hat hair because of a lumpy old beanie, especially if I’m braving the cold for a stroll on the stylish streets of New York City.
The holidays are long gone, but good accessorizing can save us from the pitfalls of winter wardrobe burnout. Luckily, headwear genius Eugenia Kim has created Festive Glamour, the brand’s first-ever holiday capsule collection that can easily serve as a gateway to below-0 glamour. Kim is a headwear visionary, creating some of the most celebrated and beloved styles that have gained acclaim and fame across pop culture spheres since the launch of her brand in 1998. We owe Kim iconic trends like the newsboy cap that, thanks to her, became a J. Lo signature look. And in the golden era of the floppy hat, when foliage photoshoots with pumpkin spice lattes were all the rage on Tumblr, Kim was ahead of the curve.
The holiday capsule is small but includes the main staples to introduce us to chic winter headwear: rounded, angled berets with crystal bow detailing, a delicately bedazzled fedora, a chic satin turban with a star crystal, and a range of satin bows and bedazzled headbands to choose from. Kim keeps the capsule to black and white, which encourages versatility and high-contrast dressing. The key to the collection is in the details, from the textures to the silver embellishments. After all, that’s the Eugenia Kim secret sauce: “Chic, stylish, but interested in unique details that make her stand out.” I find the turban particularly fabulous and inspiring.
Even though it may seem intimidating, when it comes to staying warm and chic in the winter, options abound. An old-school, 1920s-inspired (or from the actual ‘20s) cloche is a great, delicate, and feminine option. In the ‘20s, women wore cloches for the winter and the summer, so make sure you look for something made in a warm material, like wool. The beauty of cloches, beyond their round shape and generous head coverage, is that they allow for details like bows and flowers, and the right details are what make items feel highly personal.
For something edgier, I would consider a cowboy hat. We’re all collecting boots in Texan styles because there are so many to choose from! But we tend to forget about the hats. This is potentially a huge style gap, as a cowboy hat can add the perfect amount of yeehaw and edge to a cozy outfit. Ideal for an afternoon at the flea market or window shopping to distract us from big SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
Another look I’m excited to see popping around this year is earmuffs or warm headbands. Sometimes you don’t want to fully ruin your hairstyle and you only need warm ears. Earmuffs can be impossibly fluffy or have a bit of bling and are a great option for a warm accessory to wear outdoors if only, say, on the way to a fabulous party. Another similar option is a fleece or knit headband. If it’s broad enough, it can provide a bit more warmth and comfort than earmuffs while remaining an essential part of your look.
For the ultimate cozy look, and great for colder climates, it might be worth trying a knitted hood or balaclava, which paired with the right sunglasses can have that careless look that emits a cool factor. It has more shape and structure than a beanie, and it’s separate from your sweater, which results in a more interesting look than other common options.
If you’re tired of looking the same all winter, no matter what you wear under your outer layers, and are looking for an excuse to keep your lumpy beanie stuffed in the back of your closet, this is your sign. And who knows? Maybe you’ll end up actually going out during the remaining months of the freezing cold and rocking a Eugenia Kim Glitter Haircut Hat. 🌀
Laura Rocha-Rueda is a Colombian fashion and fiction writer based in Brooklyn who holds a Creative Writing MFA from The New School. She is your local Swiftie and will gladly chat about anything glittery and soft, and about why dismissing pop culture as frivolous is misguided and sad.