Ladies Wear Hats

It's amazing to think that less than 70 years ago hats were a staple and today they are not.  Up until the 1950s everyone wore one.  Hats were both functional for keeping one's head warm in winter and cool in summer, but they were more than that.  They were a part of a stylish and classy attire and it was considered indecent to leave home without your hat.  Every elegant gentleman and lady had a hat and likely several hats for different occasions and seasons.  

That all began to change in the 1960s.  A lot of good things came to an end in the 60s. Apart from making progress on civil rights, I've never understood why it's so heavily celebrated. Now hats rarely make an appearance in any other form than winter beanies, but I think that is a crying shame.  Hats are still so elegant that I still have hope they will make a comeback.

Before I go any further, I'd like to give a little style inspo credit to Rachel Jensen for her stunning rendition of this Pinup Couture dress complete with hat.  She inspired me to try a gold hat and a rather bouffant one at that, but I think it makes the outfit.

I was having a conversation with a friend a while back and she mentioned that she wears a hat with a small veil each Sunday.  She's a stylish woman, so it didn't surprise me, but her reasons went beyond couture. Her husband is often away on business and in her faith a covering is a symbol of God's love and protection and a husband's love and protection of his wife.  It brought her comfort to have that reminder while he is away and I love that added element of symbolism and meaning to the things we wear.

What we wear has so much more meaning than just I look good.  What we wear should have function and purpose and tell the world who we are and how we feel about ourselves.  And it does do those things whether we know it or not.  So, it's worth the time to take a few moments to make sure you're sending exactly the message you intend to send.

A gorgeous dress is a gorgeous dress and it will turn heads.  But, add a hat and, you make a statement posh and fearless statement.  With just the dress, you're a knock-out.  With a hat you're still a knock-out, but you are a lady of means and refinement.  Rachel knows it, I know it, my very dear friend knows it, and now you know it too.

Shopping Info:  Dress by Tatyana, Chelsea Crew Heels, Hat from Amazon