Almost everyone knows that you lose heat from the top of your head, so what better way to stay warm this winter than with a woolly hat. Woolly hats have been around for centuries and they still remain a piece of classic winter outerwear. To help keep you snug as a bug this winter, here is a guide to the top 5 woolly hats.

The bobble hat

The bobble hat is a classic piece of winter head gear that can be worn year after year. Thick knit cardigans and jumpers are big this winter, so stick with the trend and go for a thick knit bobble hat. Bobble hats come in almost every colour; however, to avoid looking ridiculous it's best to stick to no more than two colours as multi-coloured bobble hats look really silly. For a more subtle bobble hat make sure that the bobble matches the colour of the main hat. Greys, creams, and navy colours look great on bobble hats as they tie in with a fisherman/ merchant navy style.

Earflap

The earflap hat looks a bit like a bobble hat but with (yes you've guessed it!) earflaps. This type of hat is incredibly warm as it protects your ears from the biting cold and strong winds. These hats are available in lots of different alpine patterns and are often lined with fleece for extra warmth. The earflap hat looks particularly cute on children as is sure to keep them nice and warm.

Beanie

The beanie hat is a particularly masculine take on the woolly hat. Thinner and more subtle than the bobble hat, the beanie is very versatile and its light weight means it easily fits into a bag or pocket when not in use. The beanie looks particularly good in shades of green, grey or blue and in a thinner, less chunky knit.

Winter beret

The oversized fit and chunky knit of a winter beret makes it look really cosy and warm. This style of woolly hat is very feminine and flattering and can be worn loosely over almost any hair style. For extra detail why not go for a beret with a bobble or one with chunky buttons. Thick cable knits work best for the winter beret as do rich autumnal colours like mustard, red, or brown.

Trapper hat

The trapper hat is a lot like the ear flap hat; however, it has a more distinctively masculine and rural style.  Woollen trapper hats often have a single plain colour on the outside of the hat and a pattern for the flap or vice versa. Trapper hats can also have fur detailing with the combination of the wool and the fur making them particularly warm. Like with the earflap hat, it's best not to have more than two different colours on your trapper hat as if you have more than two colours it starts to look silly.

Jake Reacher thinks that accessories and jumpsuits for women from Matalan are quirky and in style.