Martha Sliter once said: “A hat is a flag, a shield, a bit of armor and the badge of femininity. A hat is the difference between wearing clothes and wearing a costume; it’s the difference between being dressed and being dressed up; it’s the difference between looking adequate and looking your best. A hat is to be stylish in, to glow under, to flirt beneath, to make all others seem jealous over, and to make all men feel masculine about. A piece of magic is a hat.”
Whether or not you agree with Martha Sliter regarding the power and poise that comes with wearing a hat, one thing is irrefutable: hats are back! It is true that in recent American culture, straw hats have often been categorized as strictly beach wear and used primarily for functionality. This is no longer the case. Although straw hats are indeed very functional in providing shade and protection for your face, they are also now considered a staple accessory in the fashion world, especially for the summer season. Straw hats come in many different shapes and styles and are the perfect piece to spice up any outfit.
This Fashionista chose a flimsy brim straw hat for a more feminine appeal. This particular style hat is the perfect touch for exuding the preppy, girly vibe created by her crisp white T-shirt, simple gold jewelry, boxy messenger bag, simple strappy sandals and flowy patterned shorts. Accessories are what really drive this look home. They can essentially make or break an outfit, and can completely transform your look. This Fashionista’s look is great without the hat, however, adding the hat creates an edge which makes the entire outfit appear more put together and bold. This added accessory creates a fabulously fierce look—one that is sure to catch the attention of everyone around her.
How To: Are you unsure of what style straw hat is best for you? Nervous that you will feel silly wearing the hat out and about? Well, my advice to you is this: go test out some straw hats. Now is the perfect time to go shopping and test drive a few different styles and colors. Try on a style and walk around the store in it. If you are not comfortable doing that, then that particular hat is not right for you. It is important to feel comfortable wearing the hat in front of other people to make sure you will use it, so grab a friend or two and let the hunt for the perfect straw hat begin!
