Tea Hats, Cocktail Hats - how to select the one that fits your style and face.

Charity Tea season is upon us.  As author and professor Grace Margaret Morton put it in 1943, "So when the mood of today's hats seem frivolous it may be a kind of singing in the dark, the expression of an effort to put a bit of gaiety into a world burdened with problems."  I feel this holds true today.

(Hat at left by Louise Green from her Spring 2012 Collections.)

Consider the "total effect" when selecting a hat. Look at yourself close up to make sure the hat is flattering to the face. You may want a bit more brim if you have a bit more width in your face. How does it work with your hair? Do you have a fuller style or something close to your head or pulled back? Bangs or no bangs? You should also look at yourself in a full length mirror, as most people will see your figure standing. You should also keep your body size in mind. A huge hat can overpower a small framed wearer, just as a tiny doll hat might look silly on a queen-sized lady.