Today, as I reviewed the hats worn by the ladies in attendance at the Kentucky Derby, I felt a pang of nostalgia. MSN presented their selection of the top ten. I could but wish for more.
Names of hats like Witchy Woman, a stunning black wide brimmed number, Flip Floppy, the brim doing just that, Share Blue, a dramatic creation in blue, and more captured my attention for several minutes admixed with memories of my own hat collection in the 50's and 60's.
Among my small collection was my favorite, a wide brimmed manila colored stiffly woven/crocheted straw,the rounded rib woven crown banded with wide black velvet ribbon one and one-half inches terminating into a lovely simple cross-over bow. The bow's tails crossed the brim and peered slightly over the edge. It was truly a stunning creation, one hat of all that I never minded wearing when an occasion called for same.
Another I had made by Margaret Rooney, the single milliner of "Hats by Margaret". She was a talented and skillful milliner in Holyoke, Massachusetts. It was a five inch high drum style with narrow brim, (without the brim it would be called a Pill Box). The entire creation was covered with pheasant feathers while strutting a couple feathers reaching heavenward on the right side! It was a magnificent hat of a more modest style than my look of the south in my wide brimmed number.
For the perfect summer wedding, my bridesmaids and maid of honor had similar wide brimmed hats designed by the same milliner. These were in layers of sheer fabrics in pastel shades matching the gowns.(Fortunately, Margaret worked for reasonable wages!!!)
However, given my limited hat history while delightful for me to ponder, on a more serious note, I wondered if we may one day revert to this elegant fashion. I see sun hats imitating my wide brimmed straw and since I have to be cautious in the sun, I just may buy me the inferior copy of the one I loved in my past.
Summer catalogs once showed a few dresses but offered vast numbers of shorts,capris, slacks, etc. Today, I am seeing more summer dresses in our catalogs so it seems we are retro in 2010. Even the styles bring back memories of the designs of the "halter dress" that we wore. There is nothing like a free flowing A-line halter dress for cool comfort!
If we have style/trend setters out there, I'd like to ask about this retro look? What are you gals seeing?
Do you see hats making a comeback in fashion? If so, do you see a comeback of hats only as part of sophisticated fashion or for all women for special occasions? I wonder if men like women wearing hats as part of the "gussied up" look.
(I pose this question keeping in mind it is tough to steal a kiss underneath that brim!)
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