Choosing an AfroBonnet can be a daunting task. Especially if you've never worn a pre-tied turban or headwrap before. You see all the girls looking great in it - but you secretly wonder if you can REALLY pull that off. So for all of you newbies... this post's for YOU.
Here are 5 tips to help choosing the perfect hat:
YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR
Your favourite colour is your favourite colour for a reason! Most of the times, it's THE colour that no matter what you're wearing - you look amazing. This should be your go-to colour for your hat.
Yep, fuh real fuh real.
Yes, even if your favourite colour is red.
Remember your AfroBonnet is a fashion choice. Fashion is about HOW you wear, what you're wearing. So the odds are if you're wearing your favourite colour, you're already well on your way to looking fabulous.
YOUR WARDROBE
Most people naturally try to buy hats that match most of their wardrobe. It means that you will get a lot of use out of your AfroBonnets.
What does this mean in practical terms?
If you are a person who wears jeans almost every day, then it makes sense to choose an AfroBonnet made of denim - like our Denim Bonnets, or a hat that whose hue is complementary to denim - like our Stone Blue Lola Turbans. This way, no matter what happens it would be easy to simply throw your hat on and go, fully assured that your hat and jeans go well with each other and help pull your outfit together.
Now this is where most people reach for Black Hats. If you have EVER met me in real life at a Market or event - you will know that I consistently preach AGAINST wearing a black hat. Especially if your hair is black as well. Your hat will simply fade into the background. And what's the fun in that? What I recommend instead is a hat that goes with, or complements the colours in your wardrobe. And feel free to try out what we term our neutrals - which are our hats that are grey, army green, stone blue and chocolate brown; or our prints in Creamy Kente, Black and White Kente and Navy Polkadot.
YOUR PERSONALITY OR PERSONAL STYLE
This particular point goes hand in hand with what design hat you should choose.
If you're a casual, laid back individual and your clothes are more along the lines of streetwear - then you may feel most comfortable in our Beanies or our stretchy hats - which give off more of a casual feel than our cotton hats.
But if you're a bona-fide diva who loves fashion and bold colour, then any of our AfroBonnets with a bold print may be your choice, like an Ankara AfroBonnet. Or almost any hat with a larger knot.
YOUR HAIR TYPE
Satin-lined or no satin lining?
If you have curly or kinky hair - then you most likely would have read up on all the benefits of satin for your hair. It helps to keep your hair moisturised, and helps prevent frizz and breakage. We have an amazing array of satin lined hats that would help meet that need.
However, if you have a straighter curl pattern, or no curls at all, and when you wear a headband it has a tendency to slip... then our stretchy hats are more up your alley. They are made from soft jersey fabric and guaranteed to stay on your head.
YOUR LIFESTYLE
One of the reasons that I wore a headwrap all the time, is because I never had the time (and if I were to be more honest - the inclination) to comb my hair. I was they typical lazy natural. What people called "bad hair days" I called "Tuesday" lol. But I was terrible at wrapping my hair. So for me - our AfroBonnets were a lifesaver.
Some of our clients use our hats to wear under their hijabs - so in a case like that we would recommend our Knotless Hats.
We even have quite a few who are suffering with hair loss for one reason or another. In a case like that we recommend our Smaller Fit Hats. These hats are also naturally softer on your head.
We also recommend our smaller fit hat if you are sporting a TWA (teeny weeny afro).
So! How does all of this come together in making a decision? Here are two easy examples.
EXAMPLE 1: I am a mom of four, running my own small business. I have a full head of thick, dense hair and I count styling my hair on a daily VERY low on my list of things to do.
SOLUTION: a Dark Blue Denim Bonnet. It can be dressed up if I couple it with heels, dark blue jeans and makeup - perfect for a business meeting or a quick date with the hubby. The same hat can also be paired with a shirt, shorts and sneakers and I can run errands. OR I can pair it with wedges, 3/4 jeans and a cute top and I am ready for the world. Plus it's satin-lined so my curls are protected and moisturised the entire time.
EXAMPLE 2: I am a university student. I have never worn a turban before - plus I am not sure if I can pull it off. I have straight hair and I usually wear my hair in a pony tail all the time.
SOLUTION: an Army Green Lola Turban. It actually goes with everything - shorts, jeans, sweats. And it never slides off my head. I can put ALL my hair up underneath it, I can put it on over my pony tail, AND I can even wear my hair down and put the hat on still. I don't even have to worry about how to style it - I just pull it on and go. And the fabric makes it fit my head perfectly.
Hopefully, all of this makes shopping on our site easier! Feel free to check out our site and to make it easy to shop here's 10% off! Just enter code FIRST10 at checkout - we like to make it easy on all you newbies!