Why Singer Gregory Porter Always Wears a Balaclava Hat

Grammy Award-winning jazz musician and actor Gregory Porter, known for his song "Liquid Spirit" on the Avengers: Age Of Ultron soundtrack, is currently promoting his new album Christmas Wish. Porter recently appeared on This Morning, The One Show, and BBC Breakfast to discuss the album and its personal significance.

The album holds a special place in Porter's heart, with the title track serving as a tribute to his mother and her kindness. Reflecting on his childhood, Porter shared on X (formerly Twitter): "Christmas Wish is a tribute song to my mother... she would cook the most fabulous dinner for the holidays, we would pray over the food, then she would give it away and we would eat leftovers."

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Receiving early positive reviews, Porter's album is being described as a "soulful, festive gift." However, fans can't help but wonder about one thing during his interviews: the story behind his iconic balaclava hat.

Porter's signature balaclava hat, specifically a Kangol Summer Spitfire, has been a constant throughout his career. In an interview with Jazz Weekly, Porter revealed that it initially served a practical purpose: "I've had some surgery on my skin, so this has been my look for a little while and will continue to be for a while longer. It is what it is."

In another interview with The Metro, Porter explained how the hat became part of his style: "I was in Denver, and it was cold. I was wearing five layers of clothing and I wore a hat. It warmed up, and I thought, 'Actually, this is comfortable, this is a look.' So it became a thing."

Despite having a variety of hats to choose from, Porter's balaclava hat with the modified strap remains his trademark accessory.