How To Wear A Hat

The cloche enjoyed wide popularity between 1900-1930, during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras. It is characterized by its close fitting crown, which covers the whole head, and beautifully frames the face, especially bringing attention to the eyes. Depending on the materials and trimmings, cloches can be worn for both day and evening wear.

This style can be worn by people with smaller faces, and is great for the petite figure, because it is not overpowering. It's best to arrange to wear it all day (or evening) , as it really does a number on your hair!

Popular in France, the wearing of berets was banned by the Nazis during the French Occupation in WWII. The shape of the beret is basically like a bag, and can be made of anything from straw to felt to satin. A beret can be blocked into shape or soft. The beret can vary in size, with or without a brim, and can have simple or elaborate trimmings. (I love to wear brooches on mine).

Berets can be worn by all facial shapes. It is usually worn on the back of the head and pulled to one side. It can be dressy or casual, depending on the style, materials and trimmings.

This small hat is mainly designed for formal and evening wear. It can be made of almost anything from varnished straw to felt. Elaborate trimmings and veiling characterize this popular style.

This style can be worn by everyone, but it looks best with an up 'do, angled and high on the head, so the back of the hat is as high as possible. Keep the dress or suit simple, and go with simple accessories. Let the hat be the center of attention!

Veils are worn over the face only in the afternoon, and are folded under when eating or drinking or after evening has begun.

This hat is charcterized by the small crown, short brim, and simple trimmings. It is mainly for day wear, especially with tailored dresses or suits. It is worn close to the face at an extreme angle.

This is a good style for petite figures. Keep your wardrobe simple and tailored, with minimal accessories.

Sometimes called 'picture hats', wide brim hats are best for everyone, due to the varying sizes of brims available. They can be simple or very fancy, but are best for day wear. They are worn down on the head at an angle. The front brim sometimes dips slighly at the left, middle or right side of the face.

Small women should not choose too large a brim, as it will overpower them and make them look dowdy.

This hat is called a 'padre' because it is evocative of the hats worn by the Spanish missionaries. Like its wide brim counterpart, it can be worn by everyone, but is best for a classy, tailored look.

This high crowned hat can be designed with or without a brim. Trimmings are usually quite simple, being wrapped with veiling, or adorned with a single brooch. Like the Cocktail Hat, it is mainly reserved for formal and evening wear, and is usually made of felt, satin, taffeta or other formal wear fabric. Worn forward on the head at an angle, this style is best for taller women.

This hat makes a statement, so it's not a good choice for the faint of heart. You WILL be noticed, so keep the wardrobe simple and tailored, with exquisite make up and minimal accessories. A fantastic example of the correct way to wear stovepipe hat is worn by Grace Jones' character May Fly in "A View To A Kill".

A shorter version of the Stovepipe Hat, the Pillbox can be worn day into evening, with tailored clothing. It is worn almost down on the forehead at an angle, so the back is highest, similar to the Cocktail Hat. Trimmings can go from simple to highly decorative.

Pillbox hats can be worn by most women. Best worn with tailored suits and dresses, or cocktail dresses, it looks great with an up 'do.

Hats should fit down on your forehead NOT on the back of your head. No one should look like a country bumpkin! Hats should always be worn forward, either tilted to one side or square on the head. Here is how you do it--

Look straight into the mirror, head erect.
Hold the front brim with your left hand and the back brim with your right. (hands are front and back, not right and left on hat)

Place the inside front edge of the hat on your forehead--tuck your bangs up. Bangs should not hang out from under your hat.

Gently pull the hat down and back until it fits snugly.

If the hat is too far forward, now is the time to adjust it.

If your jaw is square or full, tilt the hat to the left or right. The angle will help minimize the squareness or fullness!

Now, tuck your hair behind your ears!
Use bigger than usual earrings for balance.

If you have long sleeves on, push them up to 3/4 length. Use arm bands to hold them (or big rubber bands).

P.S. The bigger the hat, the smaller your hips look

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