Porkpies 'n Trilbies

The crowds at the shows are always a great barometer of what's hot and what's not. As the great and the good crowded in to see Jean Paul Gaultier's Paris show a little over a month ago, the prevalence of porkpie hats on male audience members was worth noting.

Attributed to unlikely style icon Pete Doherty, the porkpie hat is similar to the trilby but, well, straighter. Not yet prevalent on the highstreet, some designers, like Comme des Garçons and Ermenegildo Zegna have released interpretations of the style for spring. We especially like Zegna's take on the look, woven in navy straw and finished with a fine pastel ribbon.

Alternatively, traditional hatters offer the porkpie for a range of prices. The Classic Cap Company in London has a beautiful felt number for just £29, while Stephen Jones (responsible for the Comme headwear this season) offers a variety in his new Jonesboy collection, priced from £90 upwards.

An alternative to the porkpie is the trilby, which is easy to find on the highstreet in a range of finishes. Ted Baker has some for £40 in pastel shades of blue and pink straw, while ASOS has a number from an incredible £10 start price. ASOS' natural plaid band trilby is a particular winner, but they're also available in white, black and a diamond pattern. Topman, too, has a couple of great examples from £15 upwards, as does H&M, where prices start from £5.

One tip with the trilby is to replace the standard band around the hat with something more individual, like a cut-up neckerchief. The problem with trilbies being easy to buy is that they're going to be everywhere, so a little customization will help you stand out from the crowd.

—Alex Butt