“Oh, I’m just not a … ‘hat person,’” I hear out the mouths of far too many people! What defines a ‘hat person’ anyway?

There are so many types of hats out there to play with after all. What about a straw boater for a picnic in your local park? Or a big floppy I-am-as-amazing-and-as-groovy-as-Farah-Fawcett-back-in-the-day number for a Sunday roast (I mean, come on that’s sass personified)? A peaked cap with banging, gigantic hooped earrings? A vintage Forties veiled and dramatic small hat, perched carefully on the side of your chignon for a wedding? Or what about my favourite: a beret. There are many great things about a beret, but the greatest thing of all is that they keep your head nice and toasty in cold weather!

Hats are both practical, and transformative. They are also a joy to display in your bedroom on hooks, they can make the plainest outfit become as chic and avant garde as poetry AND a hat means that you might not have to do anything to your hair that day.

Ah, so this brings me onto another ‘hat-myth’ – you don’t have to have long hair coming out the bottom for them to look good. If you have short hair, just make sure some is visible and that it’s poking out the front. Play with your hat, try it in different ways, and no head is ‘too big’ for the right one.

If you’re looking for hat-spiration, then Google the late, but incredible fashion forward icon, Isabella Blow.

Don’t be afraid, catapult your fear into intrigue and go and try a load on, you’ll soon see you start to sashay as you meander around the shop during a trying on session.

Here are some of Gemma’s favourite go-to brands.

5 statement-making hats to add to your autumnal wardrobe