ACCORDING TO THE MEDIA IN TEXAS HATS ARE MAKING A COMEBACK

left to right, Devil-Dice trucker, Ed Hardy, $55, plaid newsboy, Agaci, $7.99, military cap, Kurtz, $38, checkered fedora, Hot Topic, $24.

YOU HEARD IT FIRST AND THIS IS WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY ABOUT HATS:

The Monitor
Hats making a comeback in all kinds of varieties

Lately many A-list celebrities dodge the shutterbugs in style with chic bucket hats or embellished high-end Ed Hardy trucker hats. Others, like the smooth Justin Timberlake, pull off pin-stripe fedoras for a night out in St. Tropez.

Whatever the occasion, or for no occasion at all, fashion experts say no matter what style you favor, it’s about sporting it with confidence and plenty of attitude.

"It’s about breaking down barriers," said Autumn Herron, marketing director for Hot Topic, a music-influenced clothing and accessory store. "It used to be punk rockers and indie kids (wearing hats) but now it’s everyone."

Herron attributes a lot of folks sporting stylish headgear has to do with the changing face of music and exposure to mainstream markets. Still, fashion followers find their own style to suit their taste."You never know what you will expect to see," she said. "Hats are a really big look right now and it translates with shoppers."

When searching for the perfect hat here are The Monitor’s Top 5 picks:

The Fedora: A style made famous in classic mobster movies now gracing the cover of glossy magazines, the fedora is indeed a timeless piece in the hat family. There are several variations to wearing such an eye-catching accessory. A fedora can be easily paired with jeans, black leather boots and skinny jeans. For a more casual look, wear your favorite band’s T-shirt and favorite pair of jeans and be on your way. Hot Topic offers various styles, either pin-stripe, houndstooth or skull-inspired, online or at local stores for less than $25. For high-end styles, opt for a corduroy standard hat by Stetson Modern Collection, available at Saks Fifth Avenue, online at www.saks.com.

The Newsboy: Another must-have for any season, is the very traditional newsboy style, also known as ‘cabby hats.’ These styles are perfect for taming a bad hair day or making that party outfit pop. Although traditionally worn with the top of the hat pulled forward over the bill, pushing the top back has become very popular — especially among women, according to the Hat People site, www.hatpeople.com. Jessica and Ashlee Simpson are big fans of the newsboy, often spotted wearing the high-end Jacqueline Lamont Clyde Newsboy Cap, available for $132. Classic newsboys can be found in most department stores for less than $20.

The Military Cap: Ten-hut! Since early last year, military-inspired caps have invaded people’s hat choices and become one of the biggest trend in headwear the last year. It’s a different structure from the traditional baseball cap, with a shorter bill and embellishments on the side that range from a side pocket to a mini-buckle or lettering, according to a report published by Impressions, a magazine and Internet site dedicated to the decorated apparel and imprinted products industry. Military caps are now available at Wal-Mart for $13.99, while mall stores like Agaci, Gadzooks and Icing have them for less than $10.

The Trucker Hat: You’ve seen them on the noggins of Jessica Alba, Adrien Brody and Paris Hilton. They are wildly-colored, tattoo-inspired trucker hats designed by Christian Audigier for Ed Hardy. The Southern California-based company, which distributes worldwide, is slowly taking the fashion world by storm with their non-traditional designs.

Front patterns range from bright yellow tigers, geishas and traditional hearts with messages like, "Love Kills Slowly," among others. These high-end trucker hats only can be found online at www.donedhardy.com or at brand name department stores in the Valley (Joe Brand and Dillard’s). Expect to pay a little more than the average cap, as prices start at $55.

The Beret: If you want to channel your inner Parisian artiste, American Eagle Outfitters has the hat for you. Their Frost Beret, $17.50, made with knit fabric, topped with a cute pom-pom, is an ideal accessory for a chilly day or an outdoor party. To wear a beret a person must be confident in doing so; otherwise the appearance ends up looking forced or awkward. Most berets are light enough to start wearing in the early fall or on a weekend shopping trip.