Hats Off to Summer!

By Pam Blair

Iam not sure when my obsession with hats first began, but I know that for many years it has been hard to walk by a display of hats in a store and not halt in my tracks. “Look at that cute hat with the wide brim!” or, “I love that color!” Hats are functional and have a long history of not only covering our heads, but also serving as an adornment to make a fashion statement. Just think about the towering hats the royals wear when we see them pictured on formal occasions. Their style has traveled across the pond to the U.S., where fascinators are considered very vogue and can be spotted at weddings, horse races, and other dressy events.

I love hats, but the real reason I wear them is to protect myself from the sun. After experiencing facial skin cancer years ago, I vowed not to let that happen again and I also apply sunscreen to my face and neck every day. I have several hats for gardening, boating, or taking a walk, all with ultraviolet (UPF) protection. Some of my hats have a wide brim, but that can be tricky as they limit your peripheral vision, or you might bump into someone without realizing it. Now I look for hats that are not so wide, but still offer more sun protection than a ball cap or a visor.

Other hats in my collection have been around for years, especially if they are dressy or worn for a specific occasion. I keep those loosely wrapped in plastic to keep the dust off, and they rest on a high shelf in the closet. Several hats are unique enough to reside in my antique French bathtub which has also been used to hold potted plants, or on other occasions, filled with ice for bottled drinks at parties. Now I enjoy seeing the hats lounging in the bathtub, like they are sunbathing and having a great time.

At a recent Mountain View Garden Club luncheon in Johnson City, members were asked by the hostess to wear a hat, with the added incentive of winning a gorgeously decorated watering can for the hat voted “Best in Show.” Penny Heydt was the hands-down winner with a straw boater decorated with flowers and a pair of colorful garden gloves hanging off the brim. She glued the gloves to the hat and then added a bird’s nest with a blue robin’s egg for the final touch. All the hat lacked was a price tag hanging from it, like the one Minnie Pearl used to wear.

What kind of hats do you prefer? I hope that whatever style you choose, it is one that is fun to wear. A great hat is the perfect summer accessory, sometimes even a winner, and wearing it can make you feel like you have it made in the shade!