Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Last Day of Summer Hat

For about five years now I've have had an orange "hood" at the ready for when millinery inspiration might strike. 
To be honest...I've been a bit intimidated by the bright orange color.

Was afraid the orange would be "too much".

Then two days ago...I just decided I needed an orange hat for summer-into-fall.
 
The hat shaping was a cinch: after sizing the hood with a gelatin mix, I ironed the hood flat in an accordion manner.
Then I dug around in my trim materials, dithering between using a lime ribbon printed with white script in the folds as a hat band, using some rust french veiling with a cluster of vintage circa 1920 flowers above one eye, or a pheasant feather pad.

Since my glasses have a band of orange, lime and purple, I knew I would use a hat pin with those colors to pin on the hat.
Is the orange too much? 


I wore it to Bible Study this morning. 
Everyone really liked the orange color...
Said I looked good in orange.
(Actually I don't but I like the color so much I just ignore that fact....)

This hat surprised me, as most hats tend to do.
I was expecting to wear it as I have worn all my other accordion hats:  tilted to the side, with the layers at a side angle.
For some reason, this hat only worked worn straight on.
Millinery really is an art and not a science.
I did go with the rust french veiling and the feather pad in the back.
I used one of the vintage velvet flowers to anchor the pad.
Next spring I may re-trim the hat.
The lime ribbon looked pretty cool too, and I have other trims that could be used for a different less autumnal look.

9 comments:

Vicki said...

I really, really like that hat, Jill! Perhaps you don't look good in orange, but you do look good in that hat in that shade of orange! :)

Dolores said...

I'm not keen on either orange or red but I do think this looks good on you. I really like the accordion style and the full on way it's worn.

Vee said...

You made that? Wow. I am truly impressed. You don't think that you look good in orange? I think your coloring is perfect for carrying orange. Can you also wear yellow?

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

Vee...yellow is tough to wear. I keep trying to, but one look in the mirror and the yellow garment is gone. Sad.

Lovella ♥ said...

What a perfect hat to leave summer and head into Fall. I like your lip colour that you matched with it. Spunky!

ellen b. said...

Well hello there! It's nice to see you and the orange hat is just great! Enjoy...

Judy said...

I'm whistling! Yup...it looks great on you.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Wow, how could I have missed your beautiful orange hat. It does look wonderful on you. Not too much at all. I like the feather detail too...makes it perfect for autumn.

Kori Emerson said...

I was wondering if one could learn some millinery from a wonder Woman such as yourself