This Hat is all That
Paka's Alpaquero hat is giving me all the lady swag I need this season
Hello, Gorgeous!
In my humble opinion there are two types of people in life: Hat People and No Hat People. I fit into the former category.
Hat People don’t need the excuse of a bad hair day or awful haircut to wear a hat. They embrace the idea that they’re cold enough or bold enough to rock a bit of headgear — eccentricity optional. While I occasionally embrace the quirk factor, nothing makes me as happy as a really comfortable and well-designed hat.
Behold: the Alpaquero Hat by Paka.
But first, who’s Paka?
Paka — shorthand for alpaca which is the primary fiber used in their products — is one of those companies you feel better just knowing exists. They make sturdy and stylish (mostly outdoor) gear and sweaters that embrace the idea of responsible production and better products.
The Alpaquero Hat
First off, this hat is stunning. If you’re still trying for a Beth Dutton inspired look, this will do the trick. That should be enough. But also, if you’re a hat aficionado you’ll know that it can be complicated to find the right crown size. Dare I say that this hat has the most organic, comfortable, and well designed crown (the part that’s actually above your head) of any cowboy type hat I’ve ever worn? Yes! I dare. It’s perfection.
This hat is also the perfect blend between stiff enough to hold its shape, yet soft enough to wear all day. I like to think of it as comfortable badassery.
There’s an interior size adjuster for a perfect fit, (so if it’s windy out you can make the hat a bit more snug) and sweat band for all-day sweat-free comfort.
It’s also made in Bolivia with traceable Alpaca Fiber (think provenance for wool) in the traditional Alpaquero (alpaca farmers who have tended to herds in the Andean mountains for over 6,000 years) cowboy hat design. Want to feel fancy? Let people know the hatband design is a Quechua compass motif from CTTC (Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco)
In embracing authenticity, you have to forfeit a huge color variety. The hat only comes in one color - Cocoa, and two sizes - S/M and L/XL ($175, pakaapparel.com).
Are you a hats on or hats off kind of person? Let’s meet in the comments to discuss!
Rachel, Your beauty concierge 💋
Quick note: I included some affiliate links which means I might earn a small commission on sales made through these links, but I also throw in stuff I love just because. Prices are current at publish time.
The Hat People vs No Hat People distinction is spot on. That Alpaquero crown fitment point is key tho, most cowboy hats have a weird fit that makes them sit too high or too low. The traceable alpaca fiber thing from the Andean farmers is a nice touch for sustainablity but honestly the real value is finding something comfy enough to wear all day without thinking about it. Beth Dutton vibes are definitley a plus.