Hats Off to Bespolk

January 19, 2017

I hate winter clothing.

I would rather shiver and be soaked by rain and melting snow flakes wearing a smart-looking wool coat than a weather appropriate, waterproof, puffy down one. I survived last winter wearing only heeled Chelsea boots except when I absolutely had to surrender to rain boots (huge NBD but feel like I deserve some sort of award for this). Hats mess my hair up. I can’t tell you how much I strongly dislike walking into an overheated store and having to lug around a heavy coat over my arm, breaking a sweat like the goddamn Heat Miser even though it’s minus 5 degrees outside. Technology/touch screen friendly gloves never work like they’re supposed to. I can’t afford the giant fur coats that Kate Moss wears when she’s exposed to low temperatures (Venmo:@charlotteispoor), and I would never survive a Boston winter in the Manolo Blahnik pumps that Victoria Beckham pairs with her classic wool blazer coats. An avid black clothing-wearer myself, the ‘Homeless Chic’ look that MK &Ashley Olsen pull off by piling mass amounts of clothing on top of their small frames just doesn’t work on me (I’ve tried). I secretly roll my eyes at everyone walking the city streets in identical Moncler or Canada Goose jackets. There is no individuality with winter clothing. Everyone is unified because everyone is in this together to survive the cold, wet, windy weather upon them. It’s survival of the fittest out here and I am no Bear Grylls.

I just don’t like it. I like to be a little different.

This winter I’m finally saved. Bespolk hats of Maine is creating customized hats with literally anything you want on them- “no word or color off limits!”. Created by Liz Polkinghorn, the name is, of course, a conveniently clever play on “bespoke”, as if it was a match made in entrepreneur heaven. Don’t ask me if I ordered a black and beige one with the words “posh” on them, because I’ll tell you right now the answer is yes. Pick the color. Pick the letters. Pick the Pom Pom (yes, they have real fur. Unless PETA is reading this, in which case it’s all faux). I have been rocking the F out of this hat that nobody in the world owns but me, all winter long. Although it’s past the holiday season and you are kicking yourself for not ordering these for everyone on your list, fear not. Boston winters last until April, who are we kidding. Order one now on Etsy, tag @bespolk when you receive your order/ inevitably Instagram it to show it off, and thank Liz Polkinghorn for creating the hat brand we didn’t know we needed.

And suddenly, the homestretch of winter doesn’t seem too terrible anymore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

More about Charlotte O'Neill

Just another PR girl with an itch to leave one big city for the next. Currently living in Boston's North End. Poster girl for the phrase “champagne taste on a beer budget”. Creature of habit. Lover of fashion and have an irrational addiction to French skincare. When I’m not writing I’m waiting tables and spending tips on traveling and concerts. My claim to fame is that I once took a selfie with Mario Testino, and Posh Spice is my spirit animal.