Even if your budget belt has been tightened recently, there can still be room for fashion in it. When it comes to updating your winter wardrobe: think accessories.

Hats, which can set the tone for your outwear look this season, are colorful, feminine and a lot less expensive than a new coat.

"Hats are a really fun fashion accessory this year," said Sonya Cosentini, a spokeswoman for TJ Maxx. "Buying a couple of cute hats to go with your coat from last year is an easy and quick way to update the look. It just adds that little extra something."

A fun hat is an instant fashion statement, said Heidi Frank, spokeswoman for Boston Store. "In winter here, (your outerwear) is the first thing people see," she said. "A hat is an easy, pretty and inexpensive way to dress up your look."

Key styles

Some of the most popular hat styles for the winter season are fedoras, chunky knit beanies or berets and newsboy style caps, Frank and Cosentini said.

"The fedoras are really hot this season," Cosentini said. "They kind of have this fairy tail look to them with fun, feminine details on them."

Those details could include a colored band around the hat, floral or leaf ornaments or embellishments, leather trim, ribbons or even patent leather accents.

"They are very striking," Cosentini said.

Chunky knit berets in fun colors are also a great trend this season, Frank said. "It's a stylish, younger look. It's a great way to incorporate color if you have a black or gray coat.

The loose knit berets and beanies can be paired with sweaters of similar texture. "We're seeing the same chunky knit sweaters," Cosentini said. "Pair it with a beret or knit cap to match. It's very cute."

Finally, newsboy caps are also a hot trend in winter hats. Frank said the style is youthful and cute.

Menswear inspired

Hat styles this winter are definitely inspired by menswear, from the fabrics being used to the styles.

But these fedoras and newsboy caps, traditionally worn by men, have been updated and femmed-up for a sophisticated and fresh look.

Women's fedoras are available in blacks and browns, but Cosentini said they are also being shown in the seasons' hottest colors: jewel tones. Eggplants, blues, deep reds and orange add whimsy to the traditional men's hat.

Newsboy caps and other winter hats are being shown in houndstooth, checks and plaids, also menswear inspired. "They are really a stylish accent to any outfit," Cosentini said.

They work well with the hottest types of outerwear being shown this winter, which includes military style coats and biker jackets, Frank said.

The exciting thing about the menswear inspired hat styles and fabrics is that they are being dressed up for women. Gold studs, floral details, patent leather trim, buttons, are all some of the embellishments that set a feminine tone on the traditionally male shapes.

A spectrum of color

When it comes to hats, anything knit is flying off the shelves, said Audrey Shapiro, the public relations director for Burlington Coat Factory.

And the color palate ranges from winter white to gray to traditional black to bold jewel tones.

"The fun thing about the knits is you see the weaves of different colors," Cosentini said. A deep plum yarn mixed with a bright blue makes a beautiful weave of texture and color in a knit beret.

Jewel tones and berry tones, very popular this season, are great for the holidays, Frank said.

But you can also go traditional and sophisticated with winter white, gray and black. Shapiro said neutral colors in winter hats are still a strong trend, because they go with everything.

Cosentini said winter white is especially great, not only because it can go with all your coats, but it's also very upscale and rich looking.

Winter warmth

Aside from the fashion statement they make, hats for the season are also functional, the fashion experts say, especially the oversized heavy-knit beanies and berets. "You can pull it down to cover your ears if it's really cold out," Cosentini said.

And unlike the wool stocking caps of the past, these hats are worn more loosely said Frank. "It doesn't ruin your hairstyle."