Summer Hats Tout Fashion Statement
Hats are usually worn for sun protection or decoration ... or to get attention.
Regardless of the wearer’s intention, however, hats always send a message, says Annie Goodman, owner of Village Hatter in Fashion Island Newport Beach. “The hat you choose tells others if you’re outgoing or introverted, mischievous or moody,” she says.
A hat also tips people off to the wearer’s self-esteem, says Goodman, who has been a milliner for the past decade. “We have to muster the self-confidence to don a new style without becoming paralyzed by ‘what will people think?’ self-judgments,” she says.
To encourage women to experiment with new styles, Goodman reminds them that “hats will always be an important element of wardrobe accessorizing.”
For that reason, hat makers keep shelves racked with different designs--from low-rise berets to towering “Cat in the Hat”-types, from brim-less pillboxes to wide-brimmed boaters--all in a variety of colors and fabrics.
Too often, Goodman laments, head coverings are relegated to practical use. “Hats have a reputation of being worn only on bad hair days,” she says. “The worse the hair day, the broader the hat brim. Unfortunately, not every brim is for every face shape.
“A hat can be stunning only if a woman can wear it well.”
What are the right choices for you? Match your face to one of these face shapes to discover the hat style most flattering to you.
Hats and Shapes “The broader the face--the broader the rim,” is the milliner’s rule of thumb. Labels : Pinch, Crown, Brim, Sweatband Handling: Pick hat up by brim; lifting by pinch may cause cracking Storing: Prevent dents and dust by packing hat upside down in hat box or plastic bag Shaping: Hold over steaming pot of water; form brim as desired Cleaning: Sweep straw and felt hats with soft bristle brush; steam out stains Drying: Turn sweatband inside out to dry perspiration inside crown Other hints: Protect from stains by applying Scotchgard to straw, felt or canvas hats
How the Hat Habit Starts Goodman suggests beginning with a hat you feel comfortable in, then experimenting with others. Some women start out with the basic baseball cap, move up to simple straw hats and then to the more flamboyant styles. “I see it happen all the time,” she said. “One day these women are too shy to try on a cap. The next thing you know, they’re buying gorgeous, sexy hats and they look--and feel--fabulous in them.”
Vive Le Beret The beret dates back to about 1500, making it possibly the most enduring unisex chapeau to grace les tetes de la monde. While the classic black wool beret remains a popular seller, Goodman is finding that 100% cotton is the blend preferred by Southern Californians. Berets woven from hemp are tres chic in Europe, but expect to see them everywhere; they’ve just recently hit the West Coast stores.
Wear your beret tilted to the side or to the back, or tug the hat on straight. Anyway you wear it, a beret says, “I’m so hip, I’m transcontinental.”
Mad Hatters According to 17-year-old Natalie Gardner, a sales clerk at the Village Hatter, these oversized, often reversible print hats are the rage of meticulously grungy teen-agers. And, along with jester-style hats and huge top hats, known as Mad Hatters, these grunge hats are worn at rave parties.
“Look for grunge hats at grad night parties, too,” says Gardner. “Lots of guys are planning on wearing them.” But teens dig deep into their pockets for these outrageous chapeaus--the cost for a Mad Hatter is about $80. Sources: Village Hatter, Encyclopaedia Britannica
