By the time senior year rolled around, however, draft card/bra burning bonfires prevailed and a new extremely casual way of dressing emerged. It was simultaneously the dawning of the Age of Aquarius and the Hippie Dippy Fashion Movement.
We went from lady-like high heels to Birkenstocks with socks; from darling Oscar de la Renta pillbox hats to long limp hair adorned with gypsy style bandanas; from glamorous elbow length gloves to short unpolished fingernails.
I participated, of course, but not with great enthusiasm. I still loved that retro look . . . the gloves, the pretty high-heeled shoes, and most of all, the hats. But I rarely wore them lest I appear uncool.
Unfortunately, I see the very same problem today. Most women I know love hats . . . on other women, that is. As one friend recently admitted, she won't wear one for fear she will look dorky. She also complained about the dreaded hat-head condition one potentially suffers upon hat removal. Much like bed-head, hat-head creates a dull, drab and deflated look. Definitely not cool, said she.
What a shame. Hats are so stylish looking, so practical in colder climes and sometimes, truly beautiful!
Take Princess Kate, for example. She wears hats unabashedly and looks quite stunning in them. Then of course, there's the Queen herself, who looks . . . well, let's just say her look is unmistakable.
But the point is this: hats are back and hats are cool once more. And please note: hat-head is not fatal. Stash a comb, a mirror and a dash of really good hair product in your handbag. Take just two minutes to refresh and voila! Your hair will miraculously come back to life.
Perhaps the younger generation needs to lead the charge of the hat brigade. I fear we baby boomers are pretty much a lost cause. We will wear baseball caps, sad to say, and the occasional big brimmed straw hats of summer (they hide a multitude of sins), but that's about it.
Therefore, I hereby pass the baton on to you, my dear twenty and thirty something readers.
Meanwhile, I'm hoping the photos on the right will inspire the rest of us.
After all, it's never too late to try something new.
Never.
Okay then, it's settled. I'm shopping for a new hat next week. I'll probably come home with a new pair of gloves, but at least I can say I tried.
Nancy
PS.
If you enjoy reading my Style File, and if you know any fashion-forward young women, would you be so kind as to send this issue on to them? I'm betting they will come home with a hat.
Thank you!
