Light-colored hats with dark suits.

[LabelKing]

I feel that light-colored hats--such as a silverbelly, grey, camel--are far more elegant with dark suits than a correspondingly dark hat. The converse is true with lighter suits. For example, a silverbelly longhaired Homburg with contrasting dark brown banding would look quite elegant with a dark charcoal suit. This also works with things like Panamas.

 

[yfyf]

This would only be an issue if I wore hats. Alas I am too gutless.

 

[ysc]

Isn't the light hat with a dark suit look associated with gangsters? I remember Jeeves forbidding Wooster from wearing one for this reason, and everything that happens in jeeves & wooster must be true.

If it was a panama or similar on a hot day I would think so, otherwise I'm not so sure.

 

[LabelKing]

A fine contrast:

 

[eg1]

I'll admit I have given no thought to this -- I wear the hat that the weather dictates. Generally this means lighter hats in summer and darker in winter and my clothes generally correspond to this change in shades, but not always, so there are times when I'll wear a light coloured summer hat with a darker jacket.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by eg1

I'll admit I have given no thought to this -- I wear the hat that the weather dictates. Generally this means lighter hats in summer and darker in winter and my clothes generally correspond to this change in shades, but not always, so there are times when I'll wear a light coloured summer hat with a darker jacket.
Same hear. It's not something I've thought about but I wear lighter-colored hats in summer and darker stocking caps in winter.

 

[Cary Grant]

I dn't find it "more elegant" but it certainly is more "daring" and certainly doable. I like it.

In the hat's heyday of the 30's-50's it wasn't nearly as uncommon now.

Alas most are beaten down into lowest common denominator "matchi-ness".

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by JayJay

Same hear. It's not something I've thought about but I wear lighter-colored hats in summer and darker stocking caps in winter.
I'll point out that my hats are all casual and worn on walks with the dog. I don't own a dress hat.

 

[dopey]

Originally Posted by youngscientist

. . . I remember Jeeves forbidding Wooster from wearing one for this reason, and everything that happens in jeeves & wooster must be true. . .
I think the objection was that it was a straw hat (presumably because he was heading to NYC, not a resort). As for the OP, the answer is yes - a light hat can look elegant with a dark suit. The trick with light colors is that it is easy for a light colored felt to look cheap and skimpy - you want a felt with substance, not a lightweight felt (unless it is summer).

 

[GuidoWongolini]

I'd do it..

Some examples from my previous WAYWRN posts:

Heck, if it doesn't rain tomorrow I may wear a hat!

 

[Holdfast]

I often wear a panama in summer, regardless of the colour of suit I'm wearing. I agree that the contrast can be very fun.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Phat Guido

I'd do it..

Every pic looks terrific. You wear hats well.

 

[barims]

Well, obviously, I'm biased:

 

[ysc]

Originally Posted by dopey

I think the objection was that it was a straw hat (presumably because he was heading to NYC, not a resort).

No, in the one I am thinking of Wooster buys a white/ivory trilby or fedora, which Jeeves objects to, saying that only men called al capone wore them, or something like that.

I wouldn't wear a pale coloured hat like that with dark clothes, but a light-coloured panama, straw or other summery hat worn with dark clothes can look pretty good, as demonstrated by PG and Barims.

 

[dopey]

Originally Posted by youngscientist

No, in the one I am thinking of Wooster buys a white/ivory trilby or fedora, which Jeeves objects to, saying that only men called al capone wore them, or something like that.
Sounds like a different scene from the one I was thinking of.

Originally Posted by youngscientist

I wouldn't wear a pale coloured hat like that with dark clothes, but a light-coloured panama, straw or other summery hat worn with dark clothes can look pretty good, as demonstrated by PG and Barims.

I agree and think a light colored straw hat is seasonal, so it looks good with seasonal suits of any color.