How to Make a Bold Statement by Wearing the Perfect Hat

There was a time, not so long ago, when everybody wore hats. Both women and men wore them to go shopping, to church, or to go on a walk. People, in general, made more of an effort with their appearance. Showing up at the grocery store in pajama pants in those days might have gotten you a ride in an ambulance wearing a straight jacket!

Just as today, certain hats were part of an official uniform like a firefighter's helmet or a chef's toque, or they might be a religious observance. Still, people who worked in offices wouldn't dream of arriving at work without one, even though men were expected to remove them as soon as they walked in the door.

When I was growing up, all the women and girls in my family bought new outfits for Easter that were not complete without an "Easter bonnet" to show off at church. It was such a big deal that Irving Berlin wrote a song about it that was the inspiration for a popular movie musical.

Although many of the outmoded traditions surrounding hats (like being required to wear one) would be unduly burdensome for us today, there are advantages to wearing a hat that we're missing out on.

Why wear a hat?

In days gone by, there were hats for every occasion, especially for women. A well-to-do matron of the 1940s might own a dozen or more. A lady may have worn a sunhat to the beach, but she wouldn't be caught dead shopping in one. She was also expected to make sure her hat matched everything else she was wearing, right down to her shoes.

The right hat makes a fashion statement as nothing else can. It can express your mood, personality, social standing, and even your plans for the day. In some ways, we have more choices in hats than our great-grandparents did. The rules are no longer so strict about hats being gender-specific, for instance.

"Cock your hat. Attitudes are angles."--Frank Sinatra

A hat can make you memorable; wear one, and you'll stand out from the crowd. On the flip side, pulled low over your face, it can make you anonymous. That's why hats are still popular with movie stars.

Choosing the right hat

One of the most important things about choosing a hat is that it's not going to look good if it's the wrong shape for your face. It may take a lot of trial and error if you approach this process by trying on a lot of hats, something that isn't possible if you try to buy a hat online.

You can get some great vintage hats on eBay and Etsy but, you want to know whether the hat will work for you before you buy. Luckily, there are lots of great videos online that can help you narrow it down a bit.

Other considerations in buying a hat are as follows:

1. Is the color flattering? A hat is right next to your face so that the color will impact the appearance of your skin tone.
2. What is your body type? Certain hats are more flattering on one body type than on another.
3. Does the hat have to serve a practical purpose? Does it have to keep you warm, dry, or shade you from intense sunlight?

Pulling it off

Some people are shy about wearing hats because they are afraid people will think they look ridiculous. They believe people who wear hats are obnoxious show-offs. I suppose some of them are, but most people who wear hats do so because they like the way they look in them, and they have the self-confidence to carry it off.

Attitude is everything, so once you find the right hat for you, put it on, stand tall, and work it, baby! You'll be glad you did. It may put a smile on someone's face, and it might be yours.