Bringing back the Hat!

Last week, Min from Write of the Middle launched her Wednesday Words & Whimsey a weekly link up. I love the word Whimsey. It is a light-hearted word, a word that makes you want to step out of the ordinary and do something different. I’ve been stepping our of my comfort zone lately and trying new things, including modelling lingerie!!

Another blogging friend, Gail from Is This Mutton? hosts her WOW on Wednesday each week.

So adding Whimsey and WOW together I decided to write about hats because hats can be whimisical and certainly have a WOW factor.

Am I a hat person or not?

I have always thought that I’m not a hat person and never thought they suited me. I remember growing up and we had to wear hats to church. It was in the late 60s/early 70s and big floppy hats were in fashion along with flowing floral dresses.

My Mum, before she married, was a Milliner and this became a handy skill when my sister and I started dancing. Not only did Mum sew all of our costumes but she came up with some pretty creative hats, fascinators (before they were called that) and headdresses to complement the outfit. She was very talented but alas like many women of her time, she put her career aside, married and became a stay-at-home Mum. At least, I suppose, she was able to use her creativity through our dance recitals.

I said ‘I’m not a hat person’, yet as I was writing this post I was reminded of many times I have worn a hat of some description. This is an example of the stories we tell ourselves and let the limiting beliefs kick in. I tell myself ‘hats don’t look good on me’, ‘I’m not a hat person’, you know what I’m talking about – lacking self-confidence and pulling ourselves down by listening the the Mean Girl in our head. It’s a bit like telling ourselves ‘I’m not creative’ yet we are all creative in our on way as I discussed in a Women Living Well After 50 Podcast interview, Reigniting your creativity – even if you can’t draw

Fashion Over 50 – Bringing back the Hat

Hats for Fashion

Of course, hats have been a fashion statement over the years. No self -respecting woman in the 40s & 50s would be seen without a hat and gloves. The Roaring 20s had the headband with feather and elbow length gloves which always looked glamourous, especially with the addition of a cigarette holder. As society became less formal the accessories such as hats and gloves became a thing of the past apart from those who could pull off a jaunty cap or hat or wear a beanie for the cold weather.

Finding the right hat or fascinator to wear to Horse racing events such as The Melbourne Cup in Australia and Ascot in the UK is as important as the dress. Most of us in Australia have attended Melbourne Cup parties and managed to find a fascinator at the last moment – because a Race Day without a hat is just not on! There have been some very creative, albeit impractical hats and headwear over the years.

Hats can bring out the fun side to your personality

Lately, I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone, updated my wardrobe and on a whim purchased a cap in a menswear store. I felt a different person when I put it on and wondered why I had been so reluctant to don a cap or hat and wear it as part of my wardrobe.

For Mike’s 60th we became The Don and a Flapper

Themed Hats

For our family Christmas get-together, we always don our Santa & Mrs Claus hats for Festive fun when handing out the gifts to our grandchildren.

Hats for Sun Protection

Over the years, I’ve avoided hats although living in Australia and running as a form of exercise, I should be wearing caps to protect my skin from the sun and do try to remember to wear a running cap which definitely isn’t a fashion statement. The old advertising campaign as the core message of the Cancer Council’s SunSmart program for skin cancer awareness of Slip, Slop, Slap comes to mind. ‘Slip on a top, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat’ became the catch cry especially at sporting events and during Summer. In 2017 this was extended to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide to reflect the importance of seeking shade and sliding on wraparound sunglasses to prevent sun damage.

My grandsons are always reminding me about wearing a hat ‘where is your hat, Nan?’ is always the cry as we leave their house. With their fair skin they never go out without a hat and their Mum and Dad have taught them the Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide message well.

Hats for All Seasons

Heading to Europe for a River Cruise in November means warm clothes. I love this Red Beanie with matching scarf to keep me warm.

Do you wear a hat? What is your favourite style? I’m open to new suggestions.