Boston - March 19, 2008

Cat in the Hat

Albertus Hats

A worn-out sweater. Two pencils and a paper clip. The newspaper.

You’ve tried just about everything to keep the do from getting undid while fighting the Back Bay winds.

Put a lid on it, literally, with Albertus Swanepoel’s spring-inspired hats. The South African milliner is considered the designers’ darling: When it comes to topping off their runway shows, Zac Posen and Proenza Schouler like to call on him.

The women’s hats are flouncy and wide brimmed, but it’s the more masculine styles that really do a hat trick. Pin up locks under the stretchy brim of a Waimea, play up the color of the vintage-ribboned Sahara, or block out the sun under the Chad.

Lightweight and easy to clutch in wind-whipping emergencies, they’re prettier to look at than Tuesday’s sports section.

And bound to top things off nicely.

Available at Louis Boston, 234 Berkeley Street, Back Bay (800-225-5135 or louisboston.com).