From Pillbox to Baker Boy—5 Unexpected Hat Styles Set to be Everywhere This Spring

As a seasoned fashion editor, I'm always on the lookout for new trends, and alongside the "ugly shoe" revival and the emergence of stovepipe jeans, as we head into spring, there’s an unexpected accessory trend which is capturing fashion hearts: the wonderfully wacky hat.

2026 is officially the year of the hat, and our first inkling came from Kendall Jenner’s Instagram grid. As one of fashion’s favourite It girls, swapping her typical Ralph Lauren caps for a quirky but sophisticated knitted hat was always going to be major news, but especially one with such The Princess Diaries energy.

And just like that, social media was flooded. Shortly after, Elsa Hosk was spotted in an oxblood beret during a night out in New York, and it wasn't long before we started seeing creations from IYKYK milliners Gigi Burris and Ruslan Baginskiy appearing on fashion's chicest heads. Naturally, the UK style set was quick to follow suit. From pared-back looks finished with Love Actually-esque baker boy hats to pillbox designs that would make Jackie O swoon, fashion’s current adoration of all things nostalgic has found its latest home in hats. Anything vintage, old-world or beautifully classic is where it's at.

Designers have been banking on the return of the hat since Jean Paul Gaultier's navy satin pillbox number in his spring/summer 2026 show. Meanwhile, over at Chanel, fanciful fringed styles in all shapes, sizes and colourways graced the runway. In fact, as editorial assistant Brittany Davy points out, "Hats are a shortcut to embracing your personal style. Choose a hat that works for your aesthetic, and it can completely transform your look."

So if you're in the market for a new buy to shake up your wardrobe this spring, keep scrolling to see the hat trends set to dominate.

1. Pillbox Hats

Style Notes: The return of the pillbox hat has been a much-needed dose of glamour. This architectural style was first popularised in the 1930s and is still synonymous with class, elegance and grace (after all, it was Jackie O’s signature!). And in 2026, its resurgence is a rejection of post-pandemic, clean-girl minimalism as designers and classic dressers alike have moved towards dressed-up, wealth-whispering silhouettes as a direct response to staying indoors. Whether paired with a balloon trouser and shearling-trimmed coat like Aimee Song (pictured above) or with a three-piece suit, as seen at Loro Piana, fashion is allowing this statement hat to do the talking this spring.

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2. Flat Caps

Style Notes: Catapulting onto the scene with the rise of '80s hip-hop culture, backwards flat caps have been a streetwear staple for decades. The street-wise smoker's cap was the signature of the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Eminem in the '90s, when stereotypically "masculine" styling was the coolest way to dress. Now, you'll find them back in the accessories wardrobes of the modern maximalist. As seen at Missoni and on influencer Rebecca Ferraz Wyatt (pictured above), this hat can be used to inject instant edge. Slouchy and dripping in retro appeal, it's one of those details that the beady-eyed will instantly acknowledge.

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3. Knitted Hat

Style Notes: Quaint and a little kooky in its design, the knitted bucket hat balances practicality and style. This spring, fine knits are really piquing our interest. From Emporio Armani to Undercover, the S/S 26 runways were awash with subdued colourways and larger-than-life silhouettes. And I’m sure that as warmer days approach, these hats will be seen just as much as basket bags and flip-flops.

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4. Baker Boy Hats

Style Notes: Trust me: it is possible to look cool in a baker boy hat, and although it was touch and go in the 2010s, this time around the baker boy has the kind of soft romance embodied by Kiera Knightley in Love Actually. Whether worn sideways, as seen at Valliant, or a modern classic like Chanel's puffed satin version, baker boys are being paired with everything from tailored trousers to fringed colourways.

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5. Crochet Hats

Style Notes: As spring slowly begins to creep through, we're seeing early signs that crochet hats are set to be one of the season's biggest trends. With an intrinsic roaring-'20s essence, the crochet hat has evolved throughout the decades, but its impact remains the same. With a rebellious, playful feel, this spring, fashion insiders are pairing them with everything from coordinated beach attire on their winter-sun holidays to maximalist looks at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Expect crochet to become a continued focus as we head into warmer weather.

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