Wendy, designer at Rosette la Vedette: “I’m a go-getter — which also means I can be pretty stubborn. When I lost my hair during chemo, I wanted to find stylish headwear my own way. The result? I bought a whole stack of scarves and hats, and more than half ended up forgotten in a drawer: too warm, too rough, too dull… To help you avoid the same mistakes, I’m sharing my own beginner’s errors with you.”

Mistake 1: I stubbornly refused to visit a specialist shop

I didn’t dare step into a specialised wig or headwear shop. I was afraid I’d be plunged into a full-on “cancer universe.” So, in full “I’ll do it my way” mode, I went to regular fashion stores. But all I found were outdoor hats — made of fabrics that were far too warm to wear indoors for hours. And they didn’t cover my neck deeply either, while you actually need that extra coverage to camouflage baldness.

Moral of the story: don’t let fear stop you from trying specialised chemo scarves and chemo hats, even if you want to feel like “your normal self.” Luckily, the choice online has grown hugely these past years — and the threshold (and price!) is much lower now.

Mistake 2: I bought scarves and hats with itchy seams and inner stitching

Another downside of those “regular-store hats”: they weren’t made for bald, sensitive heads. They had ordinary inner seams that rubbed and irritated my skin after a while. And when you’re on chemo, you really want to avoid any irritation or tiny wounds.

Even some “chemo scarves” I bought later weren’t finished softly enough. So when I started dreaming of creating my own collection of chemo hats and scarves, one thing was clear: no scratchy seams, no elastics, no velcro — ever. Today, that’s exactly what has become the hallmark of Rosette la Vedette.

Mistake 3: I went for bamboo and silk

Everyone kept telling me: wear bamboo, it’s soft, breathable, natural. True! But I quickly discovered a big downside: bamboo hats stretch out when you wear them often. After washing, they fit snugly again — but only for a few days. A shame, because bamboo hats are expensive…

Silk wasn’t a good idea either. I liked experimenting with long scarves, but my beautiful silk wraps kept slipping — far too smooth to stay in place on a bald head.

Read more about the disadvantages of bamboo chemo hats >>

So for my own chemo scarves and chemo hats, I chose stretchy viscose: a very soft, breathable fibre that keeps its elasticity beautifully. “But viscose is synthetic — does it breathe enough?” Misconception! Viscose is semi-synthetic: a man-made fibre based on a natural raw material, and it feels just as comfortable as cotton. And why not pure cotton? Because viscose stays soft for much longer, even after repeated washing!

Mistake 4: I played it safe and started with black and grey

Before chemo, I wore mostly black. So it seemed logical to choose neutral basics: scarves and hats in black and grey. They’d match everything and wouldn’t attract attention, right? But soon fatigue crept in, my complexion turned pale, and the dark colours only emphasised the shadows under my eyes. Until I tried fuchsia and aqua green. In the hospital, the compliments just kept coming!

Conclusion: don’t be afraid to step away from your usual muted colours during chemo. Bright colours lift not only your complexion, but your mood too. You don’t just look better — you feel more energised.
Prefer neutral basics? Brighten them with the right earrings or a colourful scarf.

Feeling inspired to treat yourself to a new chemo hat or scarf? Browse our wide collection of chemo headwear and enjoy soft, breathable fabrics and flattering fits. Have fun styling!