With all the media attention focused on the upcoming Royal Wedding, I find it interesting that the style trendsetters are giving a big nod towards hats. My grandmother always wore a hat to church (and had a coat pocket full of lemon drops for antsy granddaughters), so it feels like life has come full circle. Grandmother’s hats were fairly small and often had a short veil that could be lowered or pushed up. I wonder what happened to her hats? Did they get thrown away when she moved to the nursing home? I wish I had them, because I would wear them with pride.
I’ve been wearing assorted hats for years now. Some are cowboy hats, some are fedora’s, and some are rather 1930 retro. What I find fascinating is how people respond to them. I’ve had complete strangers approach me to talk about the hat. Lots of women say, “You look so pretty in that hat. I wish I could wear one, but I feel I can’t pull it off.” I’ve even had the guy behind the grocery store meat counter tell me how great my hats are. It’s a weird power I don’t understand. The irony is that I don’t like being the center of attention, yet wearing a hat elevates me to something…or someone…beyond my control.
As with any fashion trend, hats will probably come and go with a moody impatience. I, however, will keep wearing my hats,and keep thinking about my grandmother’s spirit. From time to time I may even pop a lemon drop in my mouth. I still get antsy.
