MATCHING FACE AND BODY SHAPES WITH HAT

All of these guidelines have a logical basis;  Select a hat with a shape other than tHAT of your jawline.  Think of it this way:  If your face is round and you have a round crown, you will look like a ball.  If your face is oval and you have an oval crown, you will look like an egg.  If your face is square and you have a square crown, you will look like a box.

There is no "good or bad" shape to one's face.  It is wHAT it is.  Select your crown accordingly!

Oval:
 You can wear most any hat shape. However, hats with large brims are the most flattering. If you're short or petite,  narrow or proportioned brims look best. Wear them straight across the brow or across your hairline.
Round:
 Slim your face with broad or angled (asymmetrical) brims and a wide, square-shaped crown. Set the brim at an angle to add length to your face. The crown should not be narrower than your face unless it is balanced by the trim. Avoid hats with rounded crowns.
Square:
 Lengthen and narrow your face with tall or rounded crowns, circular or asymmetrical brims.  Slant the brim or simply tilt your hat to soften square edges. Experiment with adding earrings.
Oblong:
You will be hatpiest with a full brim. Look for trim tHAT lifts the eye or a brim that sweeps the sides or the back. Avoid tall, narrow shapes. Your hat should bring balance to your shoulders and the rest of your body.
Triangular:
 Emphasize your eyes and draw focus away from your strong jaw line. Find a hat with a short, uneven brim and a lofty crown. You can also wear a rolled or upswept brim, but wear it straight across the brow or across the hairline.  Steer clear of hats with pointed crowns or sharp angles.
Heart-Shaped:
 You'll want to draw attention upwards. Wear a small hat high on your head or something with eye-catching trim. Avoid large, heavy shapes.
Rectangle: Add width with wide, low styles or flared crowns.

In ALL cases, the crown should NEVER be narrower than your cheekbones!

Color of Skin:

Because a hat is worn so closely to your face, it is important tHAT the color of the hat flatters your skin tone.  If you have a pale skin, a warm color such as pink or rust is a good choice.  Darker skin is easier to choose for.  However, if it is very dark, black is best avoided. 

Height of Lady:  The shorter a woman, the narrower her hat brim should be.  A short woman wearing a broad-brimmed hat can look like a mushroom.  Tall women look better with flatter crowns, while a higher crown can make a short woman appear taller.

Height of Hat:  The height of a hat should be proportionate to the body; its width shouldn't be wider than the shoulders...unless it's an Easter bonnet:>)

Don't forget to take your overall physique into account: A tall/big woman should wear a wide brim, since a small brim might make her look larger. A tiny woman should wear a narrow, upturned brim, or no brim at all, to get the illusion of height.

THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH SUPERCEDES ALL THE RULES ABOVE, IS TO WEAR A HAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT IN, IN A STYLE WHICH SUITS THE OCCASION.  If YOU feel you look good wearing a certain hat, then you probably do!

Contents Brimming with Ideas