Dolly Does Hats

Several women fainted at the unusual sight, while children screamed, dogs yelped.” *

This is the description of the reaction to John Hetherington, a haberdasher who dared to appear on the streets of London wearing the first top hat in 1797. 
The poor, audacious soul was promptly arrested! Ridiculous huh? 

Well actually, upon reading this I found that it resonated with me. So many people find hats a mystery: an excessive adornment which is not for them. How many times have you heard someone claim hats just don’t suit them? Or say they are “not a hat person”?  Maybe you have uttered these words yourself. 
Personally, I think if you feel hats aren’t for you: maybe you just haven’t found the right hat yet.  Homburg, trilby, pork pie, beret, fedora, Panama, boater, bowler, top, Cordoba: the options are endless and it doesn’t just have to be the paper hat from your Christmas cracker that takes pride of place on your head.
Historically hats signified importance and the type of hat worn was often a symbol of the occupation of the wearer.  Some of the first depictions of hats date back as far as Ancient Egypt. So why do so many people seem to avoid wearing hats? Is it confidence? Practicalities? Are there too many rules about wearing them? (NB. Please take them off if you’re sitting in front of me at the cinema or theatre!!!!)

It is true, the first time you wear a hat in public you can feel like the whole world is staring at you.

DOLLY

It is true, the first time you wear a hat in public you can feel like the whole world is staring at you. But a hat can, quite literally, top off your look. For me, it adds personality and fun to my style. It also solves a hair problem in my case: as I have documented regularly, after washing and styling my hair, it behaves itself for approximately 8 minutes and then descends into something that resembles a bird’s nest. A hat disguises that really well. REALLY WELL. Added to this, in winter hats keep me warm. In summer hats protect my hair and scalp.

​There is also an element of mystery when you add a piece of millinery to your outfit: I mean, who does she think she is? It does take an air of confidence to enter a scene donning your hat. There are rules to help find hats that suit the shape of your face, but I won’t have it. I’d recommend just trying as many different styles and shapes. Some will look ridiculous, some will make you laugh but you might just come across one you could rock.

My current favourites include my Yardie Crown by fantastic designer @uptownyardie and my Panic Crown by @panicthemother They both offer stand-out style. If you prefer something more subtle, try a fedora or beret (although I can’t shake the Frank Spencer connotation when I wear a beret!)  I have made some mistakes with hats and have ended up looking like the mother-of-the-bride at a dictator’s wedding! If the day is windy, I will stick to a beanie as no-one needs to be chasing a hat down a dual carriageway!

So take a deep breath and understand NO ONE IS LOOKING AT YOU! Well they might be, but who cares? Hopefully the response won’t be as extreme as in poor John Hetherington’s case (it should be noted that a young boy also broke his arm in the ensuing melee!)
*Thank you to @thehatterysquash for reposting the article from the Hatter’s Gazette in 1797.

FASHION & STYLE