Wednesday, May 16, 2012

HFP: Hat Friendly Profile


I met Karen at a Bible Study I've been attending.
We hit it off.
One day she tried on one of the hats I was wearing and I quickly realized that she had a HFP.
HFP= Hat Friendly Profile.

The two very minor downsides of owning a lot of hats are:

1. Not having enough time/places to wear them.
2. Not getting to see how they look on other people.

So I invited Karen to come over and try on some of my hats for fun.

I asked her if she would be willing to let me photograph my hats on her when she came over; she agreed.
I suggested wearing a simple solid color top...she chose a black tank top.
You tell me...what hat doesn't work with a simple black top?
Black slacks or a skirt, or another basic color combo works
with wearing a hat.
No fuss...no muss!

She's got a couple of kids in college/grad school.
And no, she didn't have her kids as a teen!
Funny how people say only the very young look good in hats.

Young at heart...yes...the young at heart DO look good in hats!

She probably tried on thirty plus hats; only one decidedly didn't flatter her.
(A fact that earned her immediate HFP status!)
Isn't that turban cool???
We discussed Dolly Madison's turban preference, and the time periods when they were popular.
Making a well draped turban takes considerable skills. 
No wonder the rich and famous were the ones to sport the look.
 

This is a more daring hat, by modern views.
Karen rocked the look without a single moment of hesitation.

Dang...she wears that hat SO much better than I ever have.

We are both chatter boxes about history and faith and politics.
This woman knows her stuff!

And yet look how elegant she looks...

The lace on this hat is from the 1800's.

I used a Frank Olive straw hat that had no trim and beaded it, added the vintage lace, then added fine black veiling under the brim.

We both agreed...black top, skirt, jeans and off  you go to do your errands.
No biggie.
(I have worn this hat grocery shopping. The only downside was getting stopped in each aisle by people wanting to discuss my hat.)

This hat belonged originally to my "Belle of Memphis" grandmother, a society lady who probably had a lovely navy suit to match.

Basically it is a beret, kicked up a notch.

An Italian straw that I shaped and trimmed and never have worn as it is too small for my head.
I imagined only a very young girl, school age, could make it work.

Guess I don't know everything.
Cute, huh?
Can totally picture it with a pink sundress.

We discussed what made a hat a fascinator vs. a "hat".
(Fascinators are one size fits all...hats have to fit one's head size, the same way shoes have to fit your feet size.)

One of the very first hats I ever made...back when I really didn't know what I was doing.
I made it to match a suit.
It is a blocked buckram shape covered with a silk, then trimmed.

With the exception of the turban and my grandmother's navy hat, each of the hats are ones that I personally made or trimmed.
Karen...she made them all look wonderful.

14 comments:

Kathie said...

Wow - she makes a great model for your gorgeous hats!! And I learned something - the difference between a fascinator and a hat. Thanks Jill! Did I tell you that the fascinators that my dil had at her wedding were called "Dorothy" fascinators? Which is her name. They were perfect for her dresses!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Yes, she does really have that HFP! Wow. Very lovely.

Vee said...

When I first saw Karen, I thought she had to be your sister! She makes a wonderful hat model. My favorite is the Italian pink straw hat with the rose. Sweet...

(When I wear hats, I look silly, but my daughter just bought the most beautiful large brimmed sun bonnet. It looks great on her!)

ellen b. said...

She truly is a hat person! Fabulous!

Judy said...

You found the perfect hat model. One with lovely eyes!

irene said...

Wow, I luv all those hats.Yes, Karen was the perfect model.

Lovella ♥ said...

Jill, It makes me smile to imagine how much fun you had with Karen! I wonder how often she'll pop by to borrow a hat. I still loved the hat I borrowed from you when you visited.
Great photos and a beautiful model.

Pondside said...

I enjoyed seeing your friend, Karen, in all those gorgeous hats. I have a fascinator for my daughter's wedding,and can't wait to wear it!

Kathleen said...

These are all lovely hats. Having a 'hat party' is a fun idea to catch up with a girlfriend or two. I would have liked to see her in a summery blue or other pastel top as well. She has a very noble profile.

Vicki said...

You're right - she rocks the hats! Do the hats set off her lovely eyes or do her eyes make everything look so stunning? :)

Marg said...

Oh, yes, you found a perfect match for your hats. I agree...she has a beautiful smile and I love her face and complexion. She looks stunning and I just love to see that smile and hear the history of your hats.
I can see shy you hit if off.

Suzanne said...

Karen is a terrific hat model. How lucky she is that she looks good in hats.

I LOVE hats and for good reason - my grandmother was a milliner, back in the day when you didn't leave the house without a hat and men never went bare headed. But, having said that I must admit that I look awful in hats..... I mean really, really goofy and wierd. Even my mother laughs when she sees me in a hat. Maybe I just haven't found the right style.

BTW, I actually like Karen best in that white fascinator and the large pink hat with the black lace. Lovely.... and what a collection you have.

Cheryl said...

Wow. I've never seen a woman look so lovely in a hat!

Anneliese said...

Aw.... that must have been so much fun! She is a beautiful model! And the photographer is very good!