Millinery Myths

As promised from my post on Monday, I'd like to take the opportunity to dispell a few myths that may make you a little apprehensive about joining the hat wave. Let's just jump right in... head first... pun intended.

MYTH 1: "I'm not a hat person."

Au contraire my friend, EVERYONE can be a hat person, just not everyone can wear every hat. You don't have to be Audrey Hepburn to pull of a great headpiece (though she could rock a hat like no other).

Just like anything else in fashion, there are shapes, sizes, fits, and colors that are meant for you, and a lot that are not- you just have to find your perfect match.  I think of wearing hats much like buying sunglasses. Different proportions, different colors, and different shapes suit different faces. When buying sunglasses, the general rule of thumb is to go for styles that are the opposite of your face shape. The same thing goes for hats. Round and square face shapes are slimmed down by wide brims that add both width and height to the top of the head. Asymmetrical styles also break up the continuity of perfect circles and squares by dipping into the frame of the face.

Longer faces tend to look best in the clean lines of a flat brimmed hat.

Taryn from Life of a Paperdoll

This may sound like I completely contradicted myself, but you'll notice the lines the brim creates when you put the hat on. The wide brim of a floppy hat ends up reading more like a thin wavy line from straight on, while the flat brim of a fedora ends up looking like a wider circle... hence the opposition of the face.

No matter what face shape you have there are some important things to remember when picking out a hat. First, the crown of the hat should never be narrower than your cheek bones. If you're wondering why the picture of Molly Sims below looks a little off- that's why.

Molly Simms at the Kentucky Derby
The crown that is more narrow than her cheekbones
makes for a not so flattering hat.

Secondly, The brim of your hat should be proportionate to your shoulders. Broader shoulders can handle wider brims, tiny petite frames should refrain from getting swallowed by over the top styles. Lastly, it goes without saying- fit is key! It shouldn't be so tight where your head is squished into it (this can damage your hair!) but snug enough so that it won't blow away at the slightest hint of wind.

My best point of advice- You have to try them on! Even if you make a huge joke out of it with your friends at the department store, try on every style (and there are hundreds!) and see what suits you. I'm sure you'll fall in love with one... or several.

MYTH 2: Hats are meant for hiding.

This one, in case you haven't noticed from the previous pictures, debunks itself.  Hats (baseball caps excluded), add mystery to your look. They definitely don't make you disappear. Hats on women in the U.S. have become so far and few between in everyday life that while you may feel incognito beneath the brim of a floppy hat, I guarantee everyone else notices you- but in a good way. The hat, especially now, is making a resurgence as the young fashionista's greatest accessory. It's a piece that says you're not afraid to step outside of the box, and get noticed for it. They can actually make you look more confident, flirty, and polished.  Wearing a hat can be a bold move, but if done right one you won’t regret.  Jeanine Larmoth (former copy editor at Harpers Bazaar) put it best:

"A hat is a shameless flatterer, calling attention to an escaping curl, a tawny braid, a sprinkling of freckles over a pert nose, directing the eye to what is most unique about a face.  Its curves emphasize a shining pair of eyes, a lofty forehead; its deep brim accentuates the pale tint of a cheek, creates an aura of prettiness, and suggests a mystery that awakens curiosity in the onlooker. "

Now, I should point out, that wearing a hat that is fresh, young, and fashion forward does not mean you need a headpiece worthy of Lady Gaga attention. I can't stress enough, that for your everyday trend-setter this couldn't be further from the truth.  While the songstress' works of art are breath taking, they are showpieces, not every day wear. And, while we've all been fascinated by the fascinators that debuted at the Royal Wedding, most of those are best reserved for fanciful fetes (how’s that for alliteration).

Myth 3:  Actual Hats are the only items that can appropriately cover your head.

As you may have noticed, my most favorite accessory actually happens to be the scarf.  One of the many reasons (that is a whole post for a later time) this simple piece of fabric is my fashion best friend is its versatility. Not only does it look great draped around your neck, it also does wonders wrapped around your head. Giorgio Armani's Spring 2011 runway show was a perfect example of just how many ways there are to use a scarf as a head covering, and look totally chic while doing it.

The headscarf has its place beyond the runway as well, and can be the perfect solution to those humid summer days when it's simply too hot to wear a hat, and your hair just cannot be tamed (which is often the case with my uncontrollable lion's mane). Again, if you're face is a perfect circle like mine, wrap the scarf around your head and tie it off to the side with a little bow or knot. Don't forget to add a large pair of dark rectangular sunglasses. Not only will you look like a 1950’s starlet on her way to/from the beach, but the whole look will actually make your jaw line appear narrower than your brow.

A leopard printed scarf to tame my lion's mane

The turban look is a great way to go if you have a longer, narrow, more oblong shaped face. Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe has often been spotted in this look, as has Sarah Jessica Parker. 

Rachel Zoe in a turban

Sarah Jessica Parker wearing a turban

And for anyone with any face shape, if you're having one of those hair days for which there is absolutely no help, you can always use your scarf to pull off the "old Hollywood Barbie running off to her convertable" look.

Hopefully now I’ve changed your mind about decking out your dome, and you aren't even reading this last part because you're grabbing your purse and car keys (or more likely beginning a rampant online search) to make the hat your newest favorite accessory.

Still not convinced? Let me know, I'll find a way to make a believer of you yet.