Thanks again, Solanah - and enjoy the post, everyone!
Andrea xx
Buying a hat for the first time can be almost as daunting as wearing it for the first time. Hats tend to lie on that thin line between "stylish" and "ridiculous", but with a little help you can choose just the right one to fit exactly who you are.
Buying a hat
The same rules apply to buying vintage hats as with buying vintage clothing. If you find one ask yourself these questions:
"Do I like how I look in the hat?"
Perhaps you find a beautiful hat you love sitting on a shelf, but once you put it on it does not love you back. Play around with the placement, tilt it to the side, back, front. Try your hair up, down, or imagine different makeup (I can never wear a hat without red lipstick). If after all that you don't love how you look, put it back and move on, there are other hats to try in the world!
"What condition is it in?"
If the hat has wire sticking out, holes in the felt, stains, glue globs, or brittle trimmings, don't buy it, unless you feel like taking on a hat restoring project. However, dents or bends can be easily fixed; just hold the hat over a steamer or tea kettle and shape it back with your hands.
"How much is it?"
Because there's not much of a demand for hats, you can generally find them at an affordable price. There are those hats that hold designer labels or incredible trimmings that are worth a pretty penny, but truth be told the most I've paid for a hat was $40, and some of my favorites cost less than $20! Once you familiarize yourself with hats, and explore the costs, you'll know what is a fair price and what is not. Of course age has a lot to do with price, the older it is the more expensive it will be.
Displaying hats
Hats make such pretty decoration, on or off your head! Most can be hung on hooks or knobs on the wall, mannequin heads, hat stands, or better yet a hat rack! Just make sure they are out of direct sunlight, and overly damp or dry rooms.
Storing hats
If you need to store your hats, invest in some hat boxes and store the hats upside down stuffed with acid free tissue paper to keep shape. Some of the less delicate ones can be stacked in each other. Again make sure they are not stored in damp or dry rooms.
Traveling with hats
Taking hats on vacation requires a traveling hat box that is large enough to fit multiple hats. Just make sure you carry it on a plane instead of checking it, and don't bang it around a bunch. And you'll look super chic walking around with a pretty hat box!
Caring for hats
If a hat sits in one place a while it will probably collect a bit of dust. Take a soft bristle brush and lightly sweep the surface every once in a while to prevent dust from settling.
Don't wear your hat out in the rain - the structure will be compromised. Berets make good light rain hats, or if you must wear a hat, carry an umbrella! As for washing, if a stain does not come out with a lightly dampened cloth, take your hat to a professional (or cover the stain with a flower or ribbon!).
Buying online vs. buying in person
For your first few hats go with buying in person so you get a feel for what you like and what looks good on you. Once you know which shapes, details, and colors are most flattering it becomes easier to buy online. Perhaps your local vintage shop has some great hats, but don't work for your budget. Try on different styles, then look for a good deal online for similar hats. Always pay attention to the size; women's hats (if labeled at all) have the size in inches or centimeters. To find your size measure around your forehead at the widest part, with hair down.
Hats for your lovely face shape
Here is an incredibly helpful post on finding a hat for your face shape.
Photo credits: 1940s hat, Little girl in hat, Hat rack, Hat boxes,, Hatbox for traveling, Head measurements
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