It's funny that women in Singapore don't wear hats more often, considering how damaging the sun's rays can be to our hair and scalp in our sunny climate.
And you don't have to limit yourself to wearing those visors or caps that you often see on women golfers or teens who are into the the punk movement. Perching a hat on your head can be a fun fashion statement.
Shai Tabassi, an Australian milliner and fashion consultant who creates lovely headpieces for ladies of leisure, gives some tips on choosing the best-looking headpiece for yourself. She was here recently to showcase her silk, feathered and velveted creations at the 14th Emirates Singapore Derby Media conference.
Hats dos and don'ts
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Make sure your hat suits
the occasion
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- The most important consideration for someone who has yet to find a style of hat that suits her features and personality is to visit a qualified milliner. It is essential to keep in mind the occasion & the style of the outfit when choosing a hat.
For example, if you're attending an outdoor garden wedding, look for something that spells elegance, but make sure your head accessory doesn't steal the limelight from the bride. A brimmed hat in a neutral shade may be just the thing you're looking for, not feathers or oversized floral pieces, unless that's the dress code.
- If you have gotten yourself a hand-made, delicate hat, handle it correctly to ensure that it can last a long time. Never hold your hat by the edge of the brim. Always support the hat around the head band.
Consider your face shape when choosing a hat
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A hat with a wide, upturned brim
will suit long faces
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Oval faces take well to streamlined shapes. Hat brims can be swept up on the sides or the back.
If your face is rounded, a hat with a medium or small brim in a neat style will look good. Asymmetrical brims will de-emphasise the roundness. Wear your hat forward on your head, or with a slant.
Long faces can take medium to wide brims. Worn straight, your hat can "shorten" the length of your face.
If your face is squarish, large or upturned brims, or round crowns will suit you.
Heart-shaped faces will suit asymmetrical designs, or square or round crowns worn slanted to one side.
Keep in mind though, it is not just the shape of the face that will determine your style of hat. Your height height, hair style, and even whether you wear spectacles will affect your choice of hats.
Hats and outfits don't have to be colour-matched
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Your hat should complement
your outfit, not match its colour
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- Complementary, rather than matching, colours make for a more stronger statement and is more fashionable than desperately trying to match colours.
Hats can go with pantsuits
- A tailored pantsuit with an elegant fedora or a top hat with tuxedo style suit would make a stunning strong, yet feminine impression.
