Street Style’s New Obsession: The Trapper Hat and Ushanka

Trapper Hats

The trapper hat was initially used by early 20th Century hunters, trappers, explorers and pilots, offering warmth and durability thanks to the plush lining, ear flaps, and a fabric, leather or suede outer. Styles to consider include tradiotional looking colours like brown/beige and khaki. Black is always a good choice as it can be styled with almost anything, and for more of a casual look, a baseball cap brim can be added. A lining in a contrast fur can add interest – see the leopard print lining and ear flaps contrasting with turquoise fabric below.

How to buy: The trapper hat sits in the more commercial end of the statement-hat spectrum; it is functional enough to justify the purchase but distinctive enough to feel fashion-forward. Shearling and faux-shearling versions appeal to a broad customer base, while waxed canvas or technical fabric variants skew more utilitarian and outdoorsy. Stick to neutral tones like camel, cream, black and brown for the strongest sell-through; but for more fashion-forward customers consider strong colours and contrast lining – see the leopard print lining and ear flaps contrasting with turquoise fabric below. Consider versions with tuck-up flaps that can be worn two ways, as they offer more styling flexibility and justify the price point. Quality of the pile matters: flat, matted faux fur reads cheap immediately, so invest in pieces with realistic depth and texture. Trapper hats also pair well with a workwear or Americana aesthetic, so they’re worth stocking alongside chore jackets, heavy parkas, flannel shirting, and denim.

How to wear: The trapper hat works best when styled against its rugged origins rather than with them. Pair with tailored trousers, a shirt, and structured outerwear to create contrast between utility and polish. For a more relaxed look, lean into the workwear connection: oversized flannel, wide-leg jeans, relaxed outerwear. Women’s styling can soften the silhouette with a longline coat, slim trousers, and a polished bag. Keep the rest of the outfit relatively pared back; the trapper is the focal point, and competing statement pieces quickly push the look into costume territory.

Ushanka (and Kubanka)

The ushanka is like the trapper hat (or rather, the trapper hat is like the ushanka, as the Russian style came first) but instead of having an exterior of fabric, leather, suede, etc., it has fur both inside and out, making it bulkier, and more difficult to style; it is a very considered part of an outfit and does not have the same sale potential as other hats such as beanies or even trapper hats. This is a statement piece not a core item: stock accordingly. The kubanka is a more toned-down version which has more commercial potential. Consider current and upcoming trends: chocolate brown, distorted animal print, deer print.

How to buy: Both styles are statement pieces (though the kubanka less so) so stock conservatively. They sell in lower volumes than everyday hats but drive strong content and social appeal. The ushanka reads more utilitarian and casual; the kubanka is its sleeker, more luxe counterpart that reads high-fashion rather than functional. For ushankas, prioritise versions with tuck-up flaps for styling flexibility and avoid overly costume-y proportions. For kubankas, shape and structure are everything: a well-made kubanka holds its cylindrical form crisply, while a poorly-made one collapses and loses its elegance. Black, brown, and cream are the strongest commercial colours, with oxblood and grey as fashion-forward alternatives. Both styles photograph exceptionally well, so consider them for content-driven customers, editorial stockists, or concept stores.

How to wear: The ushanka works best when styled with intention rather than thrown on as an afterthought. Pair it with oversized outerwear – a parka, shearling coat, or heavy wool overcoat – and keep the rest of the outfit pared down so the hat leads the look. It also plays well with workwear and utility dressing: wide-leg cargos, chunky boots, and layered knits create a cohesive, weather-ready silhouette. The kubanka, being more refined, styles beautifully with tailoring — think pinstripe trousers, a structured wool jacket, and sleek sunglasses, as seen across Copenhagen. It also works with longline coats and monochrome outfits, where its sculptural shape becomes the finishing touch. For both styles, the rule is commitment: half-hearted styling turns them into costume, but owned with confidence, they elevate an entire look.

Bonnets

Tied under the neck, spotted in many colours but mostly neutrals or pastels, the bonnet is a style that can be difficult to pull off.

How to buy: Another potentially tricky style, the bonnet won’t suit every outfit, so consider your customer base carefully. Pastel colours in soft knits lean classic and feminine, pairing beautifully with prairie dresses, oversized coats, and romantic layering, but this palette can feel limited for customers wanting a more pared-back or grown-up wardrobe. Expand the offering with darker tones: the navy knit version seen in Copenhagen ties under the chin and looks almost like a silk headscarf, giving the style a cooler, more grown-up vibe. Stick to natural fibres where possible: acrylic bonnets tend to read cheap and lose shape quickly.

How to wear: The bonnet is soft, nostalgic, and a little theatrical, so lean into that rather than fight it. For a romantic take, pair a pastel knit bonnet with a floral midi dress, tights, and Mary Janes, adding a heavy coat on top for contrast. To make it look more grown up, try a darker bonnet with a leather jacket, wide-leg jeans, and chunky boots. Bonnets also work layered over a turtleneck, peeking out from under a hood, or worn with oversized sunglasses. The one rule: commit to the softness. A half-hearted bonnet moment reads as costume rather than considered styling.

Other Styles

Beyond the core categories, a handful of outliers are worth flagging: sailor hats, cloches, sculptural fur toques, and the occasional hat that defies classification entirely (see the double-tiered wool style that has a very particular silhouette). These are the pieces that signal a more adventurous customer or stylist: less about trend, more about personal voice.

How to buy: Stock selectively and treat these as hero pieces rather than volume sellers. Prioritise strong silhouette and quality materials; these styles live or die by craftsmanship. Best suited to concept stores, editorial stockists, and customers who collect rather than simply shop.

How to wear: Let the hat lead the look. Keep the rest of the outfit tonal or pared back so the silhouette reads as intentional rather than chaotic. These work best on confident dressers who treat hats as styling anchors, not afterthoughts.

Street Style’s New Obsession: The Trapper Hat and Ushanka

If Fall 2026’s street style made one thing clear, it’s that winter dressing has a renewed sense of drama and the hat is doing more of the heavy lifting than ever. From the utilitarian warmth of the trapper hat to the luxe sculptural appeal of the kubanka, the softness of the bonnet, and the statement power of the ushanka, this season’s sidewalks made room for styles that refuse to play it safe. For buyers, the takeaway is to balance commercial staples with a few hero pieces that drive content and conversation. For stylists, it’s an invitation to treat hats as the anchor of a look rather than its finishing touch — something that shifts the entire register of an outfit rather than merely topping it off. Either way, Fall 2026 proved that when it comes to winter hats, commitment is everything.

Note: Featured image is @lautreclens at William Fan Fall 2026 photographed by Alicja Bokina, image courtesy of Berlin Fashion Week.