Le Chapeau: A Chi Chi Alternative to the Veil
If Breakfast at Tiffany’s had a sequel, we’d probably find Holly Golightly sporting a hat on her wedding day. A hat bride is a bit Golightlyesque in the sense, once she makes her entrance; the hat is something unexpected and unique. Worn imaginatively, hats do make style-savvy statements. Did you know Rita Hayworth wore a cartwheel when she married Ali Kahn? And Bianca Jagger a picture hat when she married Mick? Celebrities and second-time brides aren’t the only ones opting for a hat on their wedding day; a few first-time brides are bypassing the veil in favor of a hat. Ball gowns, A-lines, evening gowns, and sheaths all look fantastic paired up with the right hat. Today, topping off your gown has more to do with choice and whatever makes you look and feel your best.
Styles
Once upon a time about three generations back, the rule was whenever you went out the door, you had to cover your head. Better to have forgotten your purse than the hat, since getting caught bare-headed in public was considered a disgrace. Luckily times have changed and the decades have left behind a wealth of memorable head-chic. Below are a few of the best styles that survived. I just wish we could cover them all.
Pillbox
Round and brimless, it is worn either centered or back on the head. Though this style was introduced in the 1930s, Jackie Kennedy revived the look. And guess what? Martha Stewart wore a pillbox when she got married in the early sixties. Her version had a wisp of dotted nose veil across the front. Generally, this hat looks best with suits and fitted sheath designs, super with most other silhouettes.
Cocktail Hats
This category includes toques, pancakes, and beanies, to name just a few. Small and brimless, these hats sit tilted or perched atop the head, usually accented with flowers or a spray of long feathers; a cover of net or nose veil typically wraps all or part of the face. To add a touch of fun to a simple gown, cover a cocktail hat fully in marabou or ostrich feathers. All cocktail hats look great with upswept hair and most silhouettes. They are also ideal as a headpiece attached to any length veil.
Turban
Adapted from Eastern headdress, the classic turban is a piece of fabric that wraps around the head. Trendy in the late thirties, the forties ushered in some interesting variations on turban dressing, mixing functionality with chic. Factory workers wore scarves tied up turban style to keep hair in place while working machinery. Consequently, designers went on to glamorize this style in satin and velvet so it also complimented eveningwear. Tulle and net turban head wraps topped off with bows or florals became quickly assembled head adornments for wartime brides. So if you think a ball gown and turban might look a bit odd, check out a Joan Crawford flick called, The Women (1939). Adrian, a Hollywood designer, does some incredible things with headwear, especially turbans. Unfortunately, you won’t see or get to try on too many turbans these days unless you check into a spa and have a facial. They aren’t really trendy right now. If you love this look, you’ll be better off visiting a milliner and having one custom made. For example, one was styled for a client out of ivory tulle and clipped closed with an antique brooch.
Cloche
The cloche is a close fitting helmet-like hat worn low on the forehead with or without a brim. This was all the rage in the 1920s. Today’s versions are mostly felt and straw, complimenting vintage dresses and suits. It looks best worn with a bob or other short hairstyles.
Picture Hat
This is the most classic hat for daytime formals. Wide-brimmed and typically constructed out of straw or horsehair, they are sometimes swathed in netting and organza. Picture hats conjure up images of croquet parties at Jay Gatsby’s and all those 1930s movies situated in garden party chic. Evoking an edgier image is the wool-felt picture hat synonymous with women in Irving Penn photos of the 1950s. Whatever look you want to create with this style, here are some things to consider when wearing it. Go ahead and put on your picture hat for the ceremony. Just do yourself a favor at the reception and take it off when you’re receiving guests. Unless your hat is made out of that bendy sort of horsehair with lots of give, when you reach out to hug and kiss people the hat will either fall off or scrape someone. Picture hats go great with most silhouettes, especially ball gowns. The wide brim balances the volume in the skirt.
