Regardless of where you live, the weather forecast says temperatures are going to continue to soar from now until fall. In addition to always carrying a full bottle of water, we need to wear something lightweight and cool, plus what about a hat and a hand fan?
May I make some suggestions?
On my way to see Diana Ross last month a woman at the airport was wearing a breezy kaftan, with tassels on the end. I meant to ask her where she got it, but with the hassles of boarding, I lost sight of her and then forgot, but this week I found something similar online. Imagine either of these pretty kaftans over a pair of white pants and a white camisole… or a white tee… with a great pair of sandals, a hat to keep the sun off your face and a hand fan tucked in your straw bag for those beastly summer moments when we feel those “little drops of dew” come trickling down the side of our face.
Many women say they don’t look good in hats, but I think it’s because no one’s ever taught them how to wear a hat. I’ve seen women, who, when trying on hats, just “sit” the hat on top of their head and leave it there. And they’re right… They won’t look good in any hat.
Even a cherry on top of a sundae needs to be placed there with a certain panache.
The best way to wear a hat is to pull it down onto your forehead with the front tilted down slightly toward your eyes. This way you’re wearing the hat. The hat isn’t wearing you.
I LOVE THIS HAT and the way the model is wearing it is perfect! The brim width and the crown height are just the right size, and it will look great on almost every woman.
If a hat is too big, you’re going to be uncomfortable because you know the least little breeze will send it sailing down the road. So what do you do? I have a small head, but that doesn’t stop me from buying a hat I like. I’ve always added a few inches of sticky, weather stripping foam to the inside front and back of my hats… or wherever it’s needed. Add or remove strips until the hat fits. Easy Peasy!
This video will show you how.
Now let’s talk about styles of hats. I’d suggest a medium-brimmed, medium-height fedora, like the one I LOVE. They’re flattering on most everyone, and they help protect your skin from the sun.
STYLES NOT TO WEAR: The style now for Millennials is big-brimmed fedoras that sit on the back of the head. Personally I’ll pass on this trend because it makes me look like I’m trying too hard to look younger… Like I’m on my way to Coachella!
That said, big-brimmed straw hats are my favorites. All those years I spent digging for crystals and Mayan artifacts… This is the style hat I wore BUT… I pulled them down and slightly forward on my forehead. They offer THE BEST sun protection.
Sorry this isn’t a bigger image, but this photo of me was taken in 1985, outside the opening to an abandoned silver mine in New Mexico. I’m wearing my favorite Frank Olive wide-brimmed straw hat, a long-sleeved poets blouse, a grey, snakeskin, Barry Kieselstein-Cord belt with a silver buckle, blue jeans and a pair of Lucchese boots that, by then, needed to be resoled. About an hour after this was taken I took off on my own–without telling my first husband or our friend–SO STUPID… I KNEW BETTER–and almost passed out from the heat. I took refuge in the cool shade of a mine shaft, but didn’t stay there long because I knew if I did pass out, they’d never find me. At least I would have been a fashionable skeleton!
Another style I’d suggest staying away from are fedoras with small brims. Fortunately these Frank Sinatra “Rat Pack” hats are phasing out, because… and this is just my personal opinion…
They look dumb on everyone, male and female, plus they don’t protect the skin.
Stay cool honey bunnies!
14 thoughts on “SUMMER CHIC AND HOW TO WEAR A HAT OVER 50”
I have a sisal hat with a wide brim that’s great because it folds up and because it has a little tie that lets me tighten it, keeping it from flying off.
I have a whole stack of hats, and which one I choose depends on how windy it is.
Another thing is hair–sometimes it looks better tucked behind your ears or put up (helps fill the hat) and sometimes it looks better pushed forward to frame your face. Experiment.
My mom collected fans and I kept a few. I have one in my bag now, but haven’t needed it. We are supposed to get another heat wave next week, but for now it’s heavenly out.
TOF, I had one of those packable sisal hats as well. Funny you mentioned what to do with your hair when wearing a hat. I started to write about that, and you’re right… Experiment. Don’t always just leave your regular hairstyle the way it is and put a hat over it. Styling your hair is another part of the “panache.” xoxox, Brenda
I love hats! My favorite in the summer is a Panama hat that I bought years ago from Madewell because it is simple and goes with everything (I customized the hat band and added an antique silver pin). Because I live in Southern California, I seldom leave the house without one all year long unless it is raining because sunblock wears off and you don’t always cover everything. I am 70 and I swear that the minute I turned 50 I started to get some dark spots, never skin cancer, but so many little weird things that my Dermotologist blames on the sun. It is never too late to protect your skin. Plus, I look chic in hats and a little jaunty–very Diane Keatonish.
Madeline, You and I would have fun playing with hats!! I’d love to find one of Diane Keaton’s bowler hats to take to England with me in September. I’ve looked but haven’t found the right one. Any suggestions? xoxox, Brenda
I love my hat – it’s woven of palm leaves, in a cowboy… or should I say Cowgirl, style! I added a beaded hatband and feel stylish, protected from the sun, and from squinting, when I wear it! There’s a wonderful shop, Paris Hatters, in San Antonio, which I look forward to visiting this fall for a wool hat. I wear kid’s sizes, and they can fit me with a hat that won’t look childish!
XO
Donna, Paris Hatters has always been one of my favorite places. When you’re there, checkout the old Art Deco poster they have on the wall. It’s not in a frame and is a little tattered, but splendid! I tried to buy it from them 30 years ago, but they weren’t interested in selling it. What a great place to find a hat, or get a custom hat or a hat sized. Like stepping into another world there. xoxox, Brenda
I love hats! I didn’t wear them very much for a while but, NOW I’m back into it. We have several stores here in Cape May that sell great hats. I have to do what you do with the brim. It’s the only way to adjust to your own head.
xob
Barbara, I’m going on a garden tour in England in a few months and would love a great fall hat to take with me. Found just the hat, but it’s $1,300 Gulp!! Don’t think so, but I can dream. xoxox, Brenda
How helpful this is! I’ve shied away from summer hats because they seemed for younger women, and because it’s always breezy here in southwest Michigan. Love The sticky tape idea, going to get some for the hats I have so they’ll stay on! Agreed about the short brimmed ones, they do look dumb!
Great to see you here, Joan!! Thanks for leaving me a comment. Hats are for everyone! You just have to know how to wear a hat and make sure it stays on your head. xoxox, Brenda
Oooooooo poppies and hats ,,,,, couldn’t get any better than that !!!!! Add Julie Vos jewelry and I’m a happy gal LOL
Another great post Brenda ,,,, thanks for sharing and taking the time to do so. Xo
Hi Shawnee, Yes, the kaftan with the beautiful red poppies made me think of you!! Happy to see you hear!! xoxox, Brenda
I have always loved hats but I would buy them once or twice and then not wear them again. I am talking about every day hats, not specialty hats for Ascot, the Kentucky Derby or High Teas and weddings.
Recently, I have started buying hats again and love them, felt and straw, fedoras and panamas! Mostly on penalty of death from my hairdresser! I have a convertible, never put the top up and have red/auburn hair which fades worse than any other hair color!
I love the hat adjuster tape and really need to get some. And I love the ones that fold up for travel. I recently discovered a very chic product, Top Tote, by a local California gal, Lindsay Albanese. She created a product that attaches to the handle of your handbag or tote, made of leather in several colors and shapes that have a magnet on both sides and keep your hat attached to your bag so your hands are free. Such a great idea! Check it out. I would love to hear your feedback. Maybe you can share if with your followers.
Thanks again for a great article Brenda.
Hi Michaele, Love seeing you here, again! I checked out Lindsay Albanese’s Top Tote. What a brilliant concept, plus it’s really pretty!! If my hair didn’t look so awful… even after a little while of wearing a hat… I would get one. It’s because my hair is so thin now. Not the Diana Ross mane that withstood wars and windstorms. That said, I’ve begun looking for a hat to take with me to England this fall. Maybe a wool fedora with a medium width brim. I tracked down Diane Keaton’s hat maker… $$$$$ Ouch!! Like you my original hair color is auburn, but now I have the same problem with fading since I color my hair. Thanks for the awesome tip! xoxox, Brenda
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