Animal magic for followers of hat fashion

Animal hats in all shapes and sizes are the hot fashion hit this winter.

checks them out.

Furry or knitted, stripey or spotty, smiling or snarling - if you want to get ahead in the style stakes this winter, get a hat.

Loved by the likes of Lady Gaga, Jessie J, Fearne Cotton and rapper Nicki Minaj, the high street has become a virtual zoo of frogs, pandas, teddy bears and donkeys thanks to fashion-savvy shoppers.

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Ron Bradshaw, aged 53, from Wednesfield, set up the Hippy Christmas Bugz Flower Power stall at the Wolverhampton Christmas Market on Tuesday.

Among his wares was a selection of more than 10 different animal-themed hats, including a donkey, a tiger, and various bears. He said the trend had taken off in recent weeks, with hats priced from £5.

"I've been selling the animal hats for about two years, but until recently it was usually only at festivals," he said.

"I have definitely noticed them getting more popular. They also seem to have got a bit wilder than when they first came out. It's just a bit of fun.

"I think it kind of cheers people up during the recession. We get all sorts of people buying them - people you normally see in suits have suddenly started wearing these crazy hats."

Naming her hat Nellie, dental nurse Nicola Bell, of Deans Road, East Park, Wolverhampton, said she "absolutely loved" her elephant creation bought at the German market in Birmingham two weeks ago.

The 37-year-old said: "I paid £10 for it and it was totally worth it.

"I got it from a hat stall where they were selling loads of animal hats like tigers, donkeys and pandas.

"I love it. It has fleece on the inside and keeps my head really warm. My mum hates it, she tried to hide it from me."

First year Birmingham University student Holly Browncell picked up her bear hat from River Island in Dudley Street for £10.

The 18-year-old, from Codsall, said: "I bought the hat because I thought it was really cute.

"My sister bought one weeks ago and once I saw hers I had to get one. It keeps my ears really warm."

Little Joseph Chapman, aged two, from Tettenhall, was sporting a fluffy Rudolf hat, with a red flashing nose.

The youngster, who was given the hat as a gift from his grandmother, said it was comfy and warm.

Sisters Davinder, 23, and Manvinder Kaur, 24, who both work in a city nightclub, said they loved wearing their top-of-the-range SpiritHoods, which are delivered from America.

Davinder got hers for £99 from Diffusion in Victoria Street, Wolverhampton, while Manvinder ordered hers from the official SpiritHoods website for a whopping £110.

She said: "I see lots of people walking around with fake ones but mine is the real deal. It's lush. It keeps me so warm "

Davinder Kaur, who lives with her sister in Warstones Road, Penn, added: "People keep saying how much they like my hat."

Unemployed Jade Longmoore, 26, from Willenhall, was given her teddy bear hat as a gift last Christmas. She said: "I love wearing it. It's cute and keeps my head warm. Plus I am ahead of the recent trend because I've had my hat since last year."

Volunteer Nick Granger said he didn't feel too trendy in his reindeer hat as he carried out charity work in Dudley Street.

The 29-year-old, from Guildford, Surrey, said: "It's quite a thin hat so it's not keeping my head very warm.

"But it's Christmas so it's just a bit of a laugh."

Chloe Shorthouse, 10, from Wales, picked a cat hat from Birmingham outdoor market for £12 during a visit.

The schoolgirl said: "It's very warm. I saw it at the market and thought it looked really cool."

Mother-of-two Sarah Price, 40, from Wednesfield, bought her polar bear hat from Sports Direct in Queen Street, Wolverhampton. Prices start from £8. She said she liked it as it was "a bit different."

"I just like unusual things like this, which stand out a bit," she said. "I think the whole trend is really interesting. It makes going out shopping a bit more fun. I hope it continues,"she added.

Meanwhile, Rachel Oliver, 24, of Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, bought her penguin hat as part of the merchandise from internet game Angry Birds. She said: "It seemed like something a bit different. I have seen a lot of animal hats around, I think they're really cute."

Hong Zou, 24, of Whitmore Reans, bought his 'shark attack' hat from River Island, which costs just £7. He said: "It's a funny design - quite unique, it's not like hats that other people wear. I haven't seen another one like it."

Opting for an expensive SpiritHood was Jayne Brookes, aged 41, who hails from Wednesfield. She opted for the leopard print version, channelling the likes of Jessie J .

"I think every girl needs a bit of leopard print in her life," she smiled.