BALANCING HAT WITH OTHER FEATURES

Hair

There is no feature more important than your hair when it comes to hat wearing.  Your hat should compliment, not compete, with your hair.  While you should never be talked into hiding your hair under your hat, give serious consideration to minimizing your hair vs. your hat.  (H)AfTer all, why bother to wear a hat if you want to emphasize your hair style? Let the shape of your  hat determine whether or not, or how much, to let your hair show..  Then follow these guidelines:

1.  Hats worn all day SOLVE problems; they don't create them (i.e. hat hair). Think about it Ladies: your hair doesn't look the same ("perfect") from dawn to dusk. If you're wearing a hat (and don't take it off 'til you get home), you WILL look "perfect" from dawn to dusk!

2.  If you're still concerned about "hat hair," here are two solutions:

If your hair is long enough, clip it up with a barrette or spring clip, then put on your hat.  When you take off your hat, release the clip.  Voila!  There is still fullness in your hair.

If your hair is shorter, it can be lifted with hair spray or gel.

3.  Hair tucked behind your ears and/or put up into the hat will look the most flattering. "Clean" your hair off your face. 

4.  Hair longer than chin length should be styled into a chignon or simple knot at the nape of the neck.

5. Hair that is a "fringe" (e.g. bangs, "sideburns") can be seen if you choose a hat you can wear across your hairline or hats with a short back brim.  But do NOT let the bangs conflict with the design of the hat.

6.  The SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT tip regarding hair and hats is:  We don't want to look like "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm."  You should all have an image of wHAT tHAT means: your hat should not be placed in the middle of your head so tHAT only the underside of the hat is seen.  Pull it down!  Think intriguing Ingrid Bergman in "Casablanca," not sweet Rebecca.

7. When the weather outside is frightful, you can still look delightful by simply selecting hats tHAT are stylish as well as practical. Wear your hat all day long and enjoy the compliments. Better yet, start a fashion trend tHAT lasts all year long.

8. Hats for Ladies who have suffered hair loss can be turned into something a bit more positive.  There is a big difference between "having" to do something and "wanting" to do something.  Given the fact tHAT there are so many lovely hats out there...and so many lovely Ladies now wearing them...., perhaps "wanting" to wear them will begin to outweigh "having" to.  In any case, here is a website for women with hair loss searching for suitable head coverings, www.headcovers.com

Glasses

1.  Wear your hat with the brim turned up.

2.  Choose brims that swoop up on one side as well as asymmetrical shapes.

3.  Avoid hats tHAT just sit there!

Prominent Nose/Ears/Etc.

You are in luck:  Wearing a hat can be the perfect means to draw attention away from these features!  Your hat becomes the focal point.  Best suggestion: buy hats with a forward movement to them as well as ones with brims and peaks.

Jewelry

Once again, nothing should compete with your hat.  wHATever the item, strive for the  balance tHAT compliments your hat.  If it has to be one or the other, forget the earrings and/or necklace...or at least choose smaller pieces. Hats are wear it's at!