The Message Beneath Your Hat: The Transformative Powers of Headwear with Rosegal
There is power in a hat. It creates a sense of mystery. A sense of style. It gives the vibe of confidence. And strength. It makes people notice. And wonder. And even question. Who is that under that hat? Are they hiding from something? From someone? Or are they just hiding something?
*This is a sponsored post. I was given this hat in exchange for a blog post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
“I have a hat. It is graceful and feminine and gives me a certain dignity, as if I were attending a state funeral or something. Someday I may get up enough courage to wear it, instead of carrying it.” -Erma Bombeck
It does take courage to wear certain hats. You can transform your entire persona just by adding that extra little piece of headwear. Become someone else for a day. Or be authentically you. And that takes a certain amount of bravery. Or maybe you just need to hide some bad hair. Or protect your face from the sun. Or keep your head warm. Whatever the reason for adding a hat, it draws attention. People will look at you. And that can be a bit daunting.
Why? Because it is different. Because hat-wearing folks are the minority. Because your head is probably the most visible part of your body when standing in a crowd of people. So when you adorn that part of yourself, it draws even more attention.
I am not talking about baseball caps or winter beanies…those are much too mainstream. And I am not talking about hats that are part of a uniform. Although those types of hats speak volumes, too, don’t they? I am talking about unique, creative, attention-grabbing chapeaus that reach out and catch the eyes of bystanders. Hats that stand out in a crowd. Hats like wide brimmed straw hats. Cowboy hats. Fascinators. Bucket hats. Cloche hats. Fedoras. Turbans. Pillbox hats. Rastacaps. Gatsby hats. Bucket hats and berets. What effect do these hats have on an outfit? What message do they convey? What do they say about the wearer?
What I like about a hat is that it often creates an air of mystery. But it also gives a vibe of confidence. People will look at you for a brief moment longer if you are sporting a bold hat. I know my attention is drawn to a person wearing a hat. And I often think, “That takes self-confidence to rock that cheeky topper.” (No, I don’t actually talk like that. But it sure sounded fun for that moment while I imagined myself using words like “cheeky” and “topper”!) I also like the flirty effect created by a hat that can be drawn down over one’s eyes. Creating mystical shadows over one’s face that seem to hide cryptic secrets. A hat can leave people wondering who is that fascinating person under there?
My hat choices vary from wide brimmed to cloche hats made of straw for the warmer seasons. I hate having to constantly switch from sunglasses to my indoor spectacles and a hat that shades my face eases this task as I can leave off the sunnies while outdoors. During the colder months (and it gets darn cold where I live), I opt for wool hats that have wide brims or cloche wool hats to keep the cold and sun out. But often it is too windy and not wanting to lose my hat, I will go for a heavy knit cap that fits snugly on my head for security and warmth’s sake. One that won’t be stolen by the harsh north country winds. So my hat choices stem from both practical purposes and sartorial reasons.
So what message lies beneath your hat? If you dare to wear a hat, what does your headwear say about you? I found some cute posts on this very topic. You can check them out below.
What Does Your Hat Say About You? by Janea of The Styletti.
What Your Favorite Hat Style Says About You-From The Traditional Baseball Cap to The Floppy by Christie Drozdowski published on Bustle.com.
Outfit Details
Hat: Crocheting Wide Brim Folded Straw Hat c/o Rosegal (Currently on sale for $5.99).
Tee: Old Navy (A few years old. Shop all Old Navy tees here).
Shorts: Torrid Skinny Shorts – Medium Wash from Torrid Salmon Run Mall.
Kimono: Women’s Duster Kimono – Xhilaration™ (Juniors’) Green from Target (Currently on clearance for $13.98).
Sandals: Payless (No longer available online, but check your local store for availability).
Jewelry: All Old.
“And all your future lies beneath your hat.” -John Oldham
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.
33 Comments
jodie filogomo
They really do add more attention to you, Shelbee!! I never though about why, but you hit the nail on the head!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ha, Jodie! Great pun! Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
Shorts look damn good on you! And I like the kimono over it. Fantastic Summer outfit, bit boho, very relaxed! And the hat looks good too!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I am wearing shorts much more often this summer. I used to despise shorts so much until I started loving my legs! Have a great week, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
miri
First, I truly love your kimono. It looks so elegant and cosy. And the hat is so cute. I wear hat all the time in summer. It is perfect if you want to look polished or elevate the howl look.
X
Miri
http://currentlywearing.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Miri! I agree with you completely. A hat definitely does elevate an outfit! It is a fabulous accessory. I hope you have a wonderful week.
xoxo
Shelbee
jacqui
You look fab Shelbee, you look like you could fit in on our 5Over50 Challenge that I’m sharing today – hope you can pop across to see it http://www.mummabstylish.com/2017/08/5-over-50-orange-is-new-black.html Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jacqui! Popping over now!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kris
I love hats for exactly the same reasons! Yours looks great!
Have an awesome day!
xx Kris
https://dreamingofpink.wordpress.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kris! Hats are such a fun way to change your persona and add a little mystery (and hide my gray roots!). Have a fabulous week.
xoxo
Shelbee
anne m bray
Hat connections:
Let me introduce you to Style Crone: http://stylecrone.com/
She has a monthly “Hat Attack” linkup that is open all month. She has THE MOST AMAZING hat collection!
Then there’s milliner Louise Green. Her Instagram is really fun! @louisegreenmillinery
I had a very brief phase of making hats in the late ’70s – early ’80s.
I even got into the window at Fiorucci on E59th in NYC!
I still have to scan the really funny set of selfies that I took of my collection.
http://spygirl-amb.blogspot.com/2013/02/crazy-quilt-leopard-print-qiana.html
anne m bray
Gawd, so wrapped up in myself — forgot to mention, you look GREAT in a hat! Again, you look “festival ready”. Anything going on in Rome? They did a Woodstock revival there a few years back…
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much! I like the boldness that a hat affords, for sure! And the drama and mystery. I haven’t looked into any festivals lately…because kids. And Army. And money. Ugh. Life. Love it. Live it. Dream it. Wear hats.
xoxo
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Where are these amazing leopard hats, Anne?! And why did you to take photos of that accomplishment!? I have been a subscriber to Style Crone’s blog for quite awhile now (hers one of the first blogs I followed and subscribed to!) and I just wish I had half her pizazz! I used to own quite an extensive collection of vintage hats (most were acquired from grandmother and others were purchased at antique shops)…I seem to have lost them all in my divorce many years ago…they were left behind in the attic as I ran screaming! Oh well. Hats lost. Self saved. I just followed Louise on IG as well. What fun! It is time I start to up my hat game, I suppose! Because it takes a special person to rock a hat, no?! Thanks for stopping by and sharing all of this fabulous information!
xoxo
Shelbee
Elizabeth Ramsey
How awesome is that! I dragged my mom around NYC one summer because I *HAD* to have something from Fiorucci for back to school. She was and is such a good sport! Congrats to you for making their window!
Elizabeth | NattyGal.com
Elizabeth Ramsey
So true! Have just gotten comfortable with hats in the last two years. Natty Guy is into convertibles and my baby fine hair is definitely not convertible friendly. So it was either learn to embrace hats or continue my weekend’s in the perma-pony i sport during the week. And that’s no fun! Weekend’s are my time to put on an honest-to-goodness outfit! You seem to have a nice collection underway!
Elizabeth | NattyGal.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Elizabeth! I remember my days in a convertible and the terrible mess that resulted on top of my head! I wore lots of scarves on my head back then, pretending I was some kind of Hollywood glamor girl! Enjoy the hats, my friend. You rock everything you wear!
xoxo
Shelbee
Trina Morgan
Cute hat and outfit Shelbee! and I like the meaning behind wearing a hat. I rarely wear them, but when I do, I like feeling of being mysterious and sexy. Thanks for sharing hon
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Trina! I do love the statement a hat can make! And mystery is definitely a good one.
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail
I love your hat, it’s a hat with character! I’ve recently started to love hats. Judith Boyd’s blog Style Crone kicked it off because she looks so amazing in hats, and the hats she wears are divine. Just wish that type of hat wasn’t so expensive!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Gail! I am only recently adoring the way a hat can jazz up an outfit and add a little mystery. Yes, Judith’s hats are so divine! I only wish I had a fraction of her hat game and could rock that look the way she does!
xoxo
Shelbee
Claire
Such a lovely look Shelbee. I have a long kimono but never know how to style it as it does not look right with my trousers. Shorts look great. I need to copy this look 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Claire! I look forward to seeing how you style your long kimono! I am glad that I could give you some ideas. Or maybe try the long kimono over a fitted bodycon style dress?
xoxo
Shelbee
jess jannenga
Hi Shelbee, I have a clothe hat that takes me back to the 1920s-30s. Love it, Your floppy hat looks so good with this look and I mentioned on facebook how these orange rust colors looks so pretty, a great transition to fall as well!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jess, thanks so much for stopping by! Oh, I love a good vintage feel in a hat especially from that era! Have a fabulous week, my friend. I hope you are feeling much better.
xoxo
Shelbee
Alicia O'Brien
I could totally see myself wearing THAT hat down the beach in summer! A bargain at that price too 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Such a great price, for sure, Alicia! I need to add some different summer hats to my collection…I guess now is the time since they are all on sale! Thanks for stopping by.
xoxo
Shelbee
nicole
Thanks for joining the Top of the World Style linkup party with your awesome outfit.This kimono is a great find.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nicole! Thanks for stopping by!
xoxo
Shelbee
Liz
I love the thoughtful reflection behind the post and how you played with the mystery behind hats. Yours is the perfect finishing touch for this relaxed kimono look. I have pretty bold tastes when it comes to clothing, and I sometimes forget how other people perceive a garment as being so bold or “brave” until I go out in public and catch people staring. I feel like, with a hat, there’s mystery there, like you said. But a pink tulle skirt? No mystery there. Obviously this lady thinks she’s a princess. Haha!
Liz
http://withwonderandwhimsy.com/2017/08/11/new-curvy-petites-collections-catherines/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Liz, I love everything in this comment! I often am completely oblivious when I go out in public, too, until the few occasions when I actually catch people staring at me! Then I just own it! Fabulous style, bold style, daring style commands attention! You go rock your pink tulle skirt, my friend! Thanks so much for stopping by and have a magnificent weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Judith
Great combination of hat and kimono. You are so right that headwear sends so many messages and we all wear our hats with our own personal flair and intention. Thank you for participating in Hat Attack!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Judith, thank you so much for such a lovely comment! I do love the personal message conveyed by a hat.
xoxo
Shelbee