HOW TO WEAR BIG HATS?

HATS, HATS, HATS 

I’ve loved hats since I was a little girl.  One of my favorite people in the world was a very elegant friend of my grandmother’s, who created gorgeous hats; her trade name was Madame Chapeau. Her business funded a charity which supported the local hospital.

The Kentucky Derby is in a week and a half.  To those of us who love fashion, the essential thing which sets the Kentucky Derby apart from other sports and entertainment events is THE HATS!!  Large or small, contemporary or old-fashioned, big brimmed, feathered, flowery, furry or just plain fascinating, the women in attendance top off their Derby attire with a variety of ostentatious head wear.

Part Southern tradition, part spectacle, the Kentucky Derby hat parade is much of what makes “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” one of the greatest people-watching events in the world. From the fantastic to the sublime, there are no rules or limits when it comes to choosing your Derby hat.

Whether to make a statement or just keep the sun at bay, Kentucky Derby hats are part of the tradition.

                                         

Even if you won’t be going to the Derby, you might benefit from some great advice on wearing hats from fashion journalist Cynthia Nellis.

                                      

How to Wear A Big Hat?

Big hats may be the hottest look in fashion now but this doesn't mean that just any size will do, there is such a thing as having a hat that's just entirely too big.

Wear an Oversized Hat in Proportion to Your Body

Wear a hat that’s in balance with your body.  Keep the outfit neutral and close to the body to make the hat stand out. Consider your height and shoulder width to carry off a big hat without looking like the

hat is wearing you.

Wear a Big Hat to Ground a Print. 

 Use an oversized hat to ground a print outfit.  It will work if the base colors of everything are monochromatic so the effect is sleek.

Don't Overdo Your Outfit

Keep the outfit simple and sleek, to focus attention on the dramatic element of the hat.  Skip the statement jewelry, print shoes, large handbags, etc.  

Don't Be Too Matchy-Matchy with A Big Hat

While head-to-toe black can work with a big hat, almost every other color looks like too much of a good thing when you add a matching hat.  You certainly don’t want to appear as if you’re wearing a costume. If you like a tonal look, try mixing different hues of the same color toether, like different shades of brown (chocolate, taupe and cream)    
           
   
Wear a Casual Floppy Hat

Skinny jeans, casual tee or sweater and a floppy hat is a terrific look for hat wearers.

Go Ladylike with a Big Hat

A big floppy hat is a great casual look, but more structured styles can also look amazingly ladylike. Complete your ladylike big hat look by pairing it with something distinctly feminine.

COLOR, COLOR & MORE COLOR

This season is all about COLOR! 

Wondering how to pull it off in real life?

Here are some suggestions and recent photos from Spring 2012 to consider.

Wear Bright Pants with Something Classic

Steal a page from Kate Middleton's style book; pair your brightly colored pants with  a classic like a navy blazer.  Orange and coral pants go beautifully with dark neutrals like navy, white, denim and other brights like yellow or cobalt.

Wear Red Pants with Pink

Match the intensity of red pants with another bright, like hot pink, the effect is a hip color-block effect that would also work well with another bright such as yellow or orange (or bring it in the form of bright shows or handbag).

 

  

Pair yellow pants with white

You can't go wrong wearing any brightly colored pants with white. Paired with a classic white shirt, yellow pants look high fashion and professional at the same time. Or add other white pieces like a white leather jacket to tone down bright jeans.

Wear Bright Pants with Black.

Not too long ago, brights with black was considered too '80s, but not anymore! Pair your brights with a black leather jacket, or a simple black cardigan to let the brightly colored pants take center stage. 

  

 Mix Bright Bottoms with Neutrals.

      Another way to let the brightly colored jeans or pants take center stage is to pair them with neutrals. Worn with neutrals, they look polished enough for the office; worn with white you look vacation ready.

 Pair Bright Pants with More Brights.

      Brightly colored pants pair nicely with more brights. Orange and pink, cobalt and yellow, coral and cobalt: you get the idea.  Adding a bright top in the same intensity (like hot pink and bright orange) is a more flattering look because it doesn’t chop up your silhouette as colorblocking would.

Wear Red Pants (and other brights) with Black and White.

     The perfect partner for bright pants is black and white, of course. The pairing of almost any bright -- lime, coral, cobalt, red, hot pink -- with black and white (including stripes, which take on bright pants well) is a classic.  (This is my personal favorite.)

Doncaster has infinite choices this season to freshen up your wardrobe with color: www.doncaster.com/mlvanderpoel



Pair Brightly Colored Pants with Prints

Try a bold print that contains the color so it holds it's own and really pops.

Wear Brights with Yellow

Yellow goes well with every bright, from hot pink to cobalt to red. Use it as a top for a colorblock effect or just as a pop of color (wear it in shoes or a bag).