Monday 16 May 2011

Hey, nice hat - plus, the importance of sizing

People are always nice about headwear - there's something about a good hat that just makes them smile. So I couldn't resist naming this post after the three words I nearly always hear when I'm wearing headwear from one particular company: Suburban Turban

In the interests of full disclosure, I should say I'm fortunate enough to now know their supremely talented head honcho Nicky, who's become a dear friend of mine through her work in UK hospitals*. But really, these hand-finished caps, hats and scarves speak for themselves.

Especially designed with 'us' in mind, there's a distinct 1920s/30s vibe to these pieces, and the materials are beautifully soft and comfy. Best of all, from my own standpoint, they provide the kind of head coverage we need: no more tugging your cap down to give the nape of your neck some warmth. There's a large range of designs that definitely suit different ages, but for me, the winning style is this 20s-esque cap in three different shades. It's a veritable compliment-magnet!


(* That's also my grinning mug you can see on the site. Nicky likes her models to be drawn from the 'hair-free community' and is always looking for ladies to smile for her camera in the Surrey, UK area. If you're in her area and fancy a go, hit her up!)

A short word on sizing: you'll find a handy how-to on the Suburban Turban site on the importance of hat sizing, which is a key lesson regardless of where you buy your headwear. So often I've tried on a 'non-specialised' hat in a shop only to find what looked fab on the plastic head looks ridiculous on mine. It took a while to realise that it's not always a matter of a bad hat (or bad head, for that matter), but merely a too-small or too-big one. So ladies: get measuring and refuse to settle for a wrong-sized hat.



28 comments:

  1. Hello Carly, first, THANKS for your blog. I was just diagnosed with alopecia areata, am totally frustrated and you are so positive!!! That really helps me in dealing with this. Anyway, suburban turban has wonderful hats/scarves and I would love to order a couple but shipping to Germany is quite expensive. Do you know of any similar German online shop? Thanks again and keep up your great attitude! Carolin

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  2. Hi Caro - really glad you've found the blog! I was in exactly your situation not too long ago, and I wish I'd known this stuff then, so consider yourself 'well armed' :) I'm afraid I'm not aware of any German online shop, however, why don't you give Nicky at Suburban Turban an email and explain your situation and what you're looking for? (nicky at suburbanturban.co.uk) She is a lovely person, and even if she can't solve your shipping issues she may know of a shop over there that she can recommend. It's certainly worth a try.

    Keep in touch! Carly x

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  3. Hey Carly, how can we get in touch a little more privately? :-) Carolin

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  4. You're welcome to send me a message via my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/eyelineherblog

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  5. Carly,

    I love your how to videos and can't thank you enough for them! I'm curious to know where you get your little black caps that you wear under scarves, buffs, etc?

    Thanks again!
    Julie

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  6. Hi Julie, the little cap I wear under the scarves etc is from Suburban Turban, and the style is called 'Kimmy'! You can find it here: http://www.suburbanturban.co.uk/women-hair-loss/hats/kimmy/

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  7. Thanks so much, Carly! I'm thrilled - I just received my order from suburban turban and Kimmy was one of the ones I ordered. What a perfect co-incidence. Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge. I just started chemo and feel better having some tools in my arsenal to help me when I start to lose my hair.

    Take care.

    Julie :)

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  8. Carly,
    You are a wonderful inspiration to me. I have been diagnosed with SLE Lupus and am suffering with the effects of alopecia. I was on You Tube searching for ways to tie scarves and came across your videos. You truly made me smile with you positive attitude and wonderful tips. I really need that today. Then this website for hats and scarves to boot...Guess it was just meant to be...Thank you so very much! You truly were a God send today.

    Kimberly

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  9. Hi Kimberly, you are SO welcome and I'm thrilled to be of help. If you have any specific questions about scarf tying etc that you'd prefer to ask privately, you can message me via my YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/eyelineherblog) - I'm always happy to help.

    All the best, Carly x

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  10. Kim,
    I am USA resident, 37 and mother of 10 month old and 4 year old. You are beautiful and I can tell you have a wonderful soul. I also just love your accent! I will be starting chemo soon and grateful I happened to find your site. Thank you. Do you know where I could buy the Rimmel liquid eyeliner? I can not find it anywhere. Also was just interested in your feedback on wigs. Do you ever where one? Thanks! Marcy Riley

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  11. Hi Marcy, so glad you're finding the blog helpful! Really hope these tips are helpful as you embark on your chemo. Re: the Rimmel eyeliner, I am actually trying to find a US equivalent myself right now since no stores out here seem to stock it (I actually get my mother to send me it from the UK--thanks Mum!). BUT it seems you can order it online from ASOS, hurrah! Click hereto check it out. Also, re: wigs--I wore one for about three months when I first lost my hair aged 19 and it was totally wonderful for getting me through that transitional phase. I got it cut at a hair salon to take the extra volume off; a crucial thing to do, trust me. After that time, I realized that as helpful as it had been, I felt more like 'me' wearing scarves and hats, so my wig lives in the closet for now. It's a totally personal choice, and only you can make that decision. Whatever you choose, I wish you the very best!

    Carly xo

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  12. Hello,
    in your eyebrow video (which I'm still watching religiously, desperately trying to perfect my own eyebrow drawing skills) you're wearing a super cap with flowers on, where's it from? :D

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  13. Hi Carly!

    My mom has recently started chemo so we're new to scarves and hats but I love the Suburban Turban hat. We live in the states - do you know if we can get them here? They are really cute and look super easy to use/wear. Thanks Carly!

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! I'm pleased to report that yes, SubTub DOES ship to the US--just shoot Nicki (the owner) an email at the contact address listed on the Suburban Turban website and I'm sure she'll confirm that for sure. I think your mum will love the hat! My best to you both x

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  14. Hello. I have lichen planopilaris, a scaring alopecia. I was terrified about losing my eyebrows which, unlike my hair, I didn't know how to hide properly. I lost a portion of an eyebrow recently and felt like a 6 year old with a crayon trying to fill it in. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This site is amazing. I have shared the site with my LPP support group. Can't really thank you enough. All the best, Tara (http://oblivionseekers.blogspot.com)

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    Replies
    1. Hey Tara -- sorry it's taken me so long to reply and say THANK YOU for your lovely comment! So happy my site is proving helpful to you. If you have any specific questions or requests, don't hesitate to comment again -- I see all the comments and (usually) reply very quickly! xo

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  15. hello carly im really trying to comment or get in touch with u trough youtube but it dosent allow me too !! i dont know y?! :S
    i love ur scarf videos! <3

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    Replies
    1. Hey! I'm worried YouTube has stopped people being able to send private messages... very strange! If you'd like to leave me a comment here I can try to answer you? xo

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  16. Dear Carly,
    I may have missed it, but I would really like to know where you got your little black cap that you wear under every scarf, buff, etc.
    nmudrd(at)gmail.com
    Thank you! Jo

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    Replies
    1. Hey Jo, I'm so sorry -- this is probably WAY too late but I missed your comment back in April! The hat is a "Kimmy" from SuburbanTurban: http://www.suburbanturban.co.uk/women-hair-loss/hats/womens-hair-loss-fashionable-turban-kimmy/

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  17. Hi Carly, I have lichen planopilaris which causes scarring alopecia. Whilst searching for tutorials on scarf tying I luckily stumbled across your youtube channel and was chuffed to bits when I also found your tutorial on eyebrows. As I have only partial eyebrows I found your tutorial really helpful and my eyebrows now look less wacky than they did :O) Thank you x

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    Replies
    1. Hey Deborah, thanks for commenting! So happy to hear these tips are proving helpful for you. Getting the eyebrows right for the first time feels getting to the top of a mountain! Or at least a really big hill ;) Let me know if there's any other tips or tutorials you'd like me to cover! xo

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  18. Hello! I'm so glad I found this blog because I was thinking of ditching the wig and I was searching for tips, this has saved me, many thanks!!

    I was just wondering how could I, as a girl who weats glasses because of bad eyesight, wear this head scarfs or the hats or if you could recommend other posibilities...

    Thanks in advance!

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