Hats Off to Panama!

The Panama Hat. This is the "it" accessory in men's fashion this summer. Designers and stylists can't get enough! (There was some foreshadowing of this with the Marc Jacobs photo in the Get it in Print post a couple weeks ago.)

This past week, Jay Z and his lovely Beyonce were spotted vacationing in Cuba, and their trip caused a lot of stir in the press! But all I noticed was his hat. Right on trend.

www.people.com

On the SS13 runway, models from lines as funky as Moschino to the ever classy Brioni donned this topper.

Moschino

Brioni

 I chose these three photos on purpose so you can see the versatility of this accessory. Jay Z is uber casual, Moschino kicks things up a notch with a business casual chino and sweater, and Brioni pairs their hat with a jacket and trouser (and some pretty awesome shoes).

Where can you get one?

Panador Hats makes this classic version that is sure to pair with anything.  Stick with an off white or natural straw to maximize versatility and timelessness.

 

Panador Classic Tear-drop Fedora Panama Hat ($94.95)

Feeling a little more funky? Good! Branch out in this great style from Bailey Hats that adds a pattern to make this variation extra fashionable this season.  

 

Bailey of Hollywood Gillespie Panama Straw Hat ($76.00)

Will you go for the Panama Hat this summer? Tell us about your favorite local hat shop in the comments below!

All runway photos were pulled from www.style.com.

What's Hot White Now

Want to look cool without thinking too hard? Don't want to worry about matching? An all black ensemble has been a go-to look for decades, and really, it always will be. But this season its time to brighten things up! Numerous designers showcased entire collections in all white. This look can go from casual to formal and can be pulled off at any age. You most likely already own some white, so by adding a few key pieces to your closet you can be right on trend without breaking the bank.  The advantage to this trend is that its more about the pairing than a particular item. So by choosing timeless pieces, these additions to your wardrobe will work for years to come. And just as with black, you can't clash with white, so you are safe to be adventurous with your mixing and matching.

Salvatore Ferragamo kicks us off with a more dressy take. (Please note the DB Jacket, which you learned about a few weeks ago.) A shoe with a colored sole adds an unexpected playfulness. And by the way, this is a perfect time to mention that we are seeing more and more suits worn casually and with sneakers. Just make sure you have a nice pair that fits the overall look. DO NOT wear the same sneakers to dinner that you wear to the gym!

Bottega Veneta gives us inspiration for a business casual look. Find a nice pair of white cotton pants and a unique jacket to copy the idea. The turtleneck could be too warm for spring, depending on your climate, so adjust with a high quality tee.

Two more ideas move us into the casual realm.  First off, I love the contrast of whites in 3.1 Philip Lim's design. Have you ever decided to repaint a white room and pulled out all the paint swatches only to find hundreds of options? White comes in numerous hues. Go out on a Lim (haha) and mix them together for higher impact.

Maison Martin Margiela wraps us up with a version that would work equally as well with a pair of white jeans. He layered a patterned tee under a sheer sweater to add just a hint of color. Brilliant!

Now that you have a spectrum of ideas, here are some of my pics this season. As always, you can click the link directly below the picture to shop the look.

These Hudson Jeans look great at any age. For a young, hip vibe, pair with a gauzy V neck tee and a silver chain. Or take them with a classic cotton button down or light crew neck sweater for a more polished appeal.

Hudson Men's Byron 5 Pocket Straight

This Lacoste shoe will work with both your jeans and suits while keeping it classy.

Lacoste Men's Bocana 5 Sneaker

This asymmetrical cardigan from TheLees is unexpected. I'd pair it with white jeans or chinos but contrast with brown shoes to pull out the buttons as an accent.

TheLees (GD82) Mens Slim Fit Unbalanced Button Knit Cardigan

Will you be wearing this trend? What looks shown above are your favorites? Comment below and share how you plan to be white hot this season!