I’d almost accepted that winter hats just weren’t made for women like me — then I found one I actually wanted to wear

The morning I realised I didn’t have to choose between staying warm and feeling put together.

I spotted it completely by accident

I was scrolling one evening when I came across the Aurevine Hat from Merritt London.

My first thought was that it looked much smarter than the knitted hats I normally end up wearing.

It had that lovely full, plush shape around the face and, importantly for me, it came down far enough around the ears to actually be useful.

I chose the Brown because most of my winter wardrobe is navy, camel and cream.

When it arrived, I put it on in front of the hallway mirror with my usual coat.

And that was really the moment I knew I’d be keeping it.

It didn’t look like a piece of cold-weather equipment.

It just looked like part of the outfit.

On the hat stand by the hallway mirror the day it arrived.

The first person to notice wasn’t even me

A couple of mornings later I wore it on my usual walk into town.

I hadn’t given it much thought.

Then one of the women I often see near the bakery stopped me and said:

“That looks rather glamorous on you.”

Glamorous.

At half past nine in the morning while carrying a loaf of bread.

I’ll take that.

Since then it’s been on dog walks, coffee with friends, a very cold Saturday watching my grandson play football and several afternoons when I’ve simply popped into town.

And that’s probably what surprised me most.

It looks like the sort of accessory you might save for somewhere nice, but I actually wear it with my ordinary winter clothes.

Wearing it into town a few days later, when I got my first compliment.

It makes the same old coat feel completely different

I’ve owned my navy coat for years.

Nothing particularly exciting about it.

But add the hat and suddenly the whole thing feels a little more put together.

That’s what I like about it.

I didn’t have to buy a new coat.

I didn’t need a completely different winter wardrobe.

It’s just one small thing that makes what I already own more enjoyable to wear.

And unlike the little decorative hats I’ve owned over the years, this one actually covers the part of my head I want covered when it’s freezing outside.

A very cold Saturday watching my grandson play football.

I checked the practical bits before ordering too

I’m not someone who buys clothes online without checking the small print.

At the moment the Aurevine is £19.95 instead of £40.

Merritt London also offers Free UK Delivery and a 30-day return period, which made trying it feel considerably less risky.

It’s available in 4 colours, so there’s a good chance there’s one that works with the coat you wear most.

Mine has already earned its place by the front door.

If your winter wardrobe also seems to alternate between “nice coat, freezing ears” and “warm hat, not quite the look I wanted”, this might be worth a look.