I have to say, this advice sounds a bit unsound.

"Unconventional accessories are always a good pick" is playing with fire, as is recommending tuxedo pants, a button down, and a hat or scarf.

Have you seen what nerds do when told it's okay to wear hats?

Agreed. As someone who wears a fedora regularly (actually a black Akubra Hampton), it gets a very different reaction depending on the context. I've been stopped on the street once by someone who said "Cool hat! So you're a Bronie right?" You don't want that.

But when I'm travelling overseas, it gets a much more positive and inquisitive reaction. Many times people have used the hat as an ice-breaker to start an interesting conversation with me. And if you're the only person with a hat in a group, it can be helpful branding so people recognize & remember you.

Interesting. My experience in the US has very much been the latter. What do you typically wear with it? I definitely think it says different things with slacks and a sport coat then jeans and a hoodie.

Fedoras, fedoras everywhere...

Nothing wrong with a (real) fedora...

I should add... "if it matches your outfit."

Dunno man, everyone tells me I have an awesome hat ;)

With that kind of getup, I'd suppose the wearer to be trying way too hard to be a hipster. None of those articles go together...

Depends on how you pull it off. You'd be surprised what manner of weird combinations can go together well.

This is beyond the capability and competency of any decent engineer.