Mad as a Hatter
Anyone remember Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll? Of all the characters in book world, I have never forgotten the Mad Hatter. And he was a hit at The Mad Tea Party and I really really do believe it was bcoz of his sexy top hat. I distinctly remember the illustration which showed "In this style" and the 'unreasonable' 10/6, the price on the label inscribed on the hatband. And if that ain’t enough, he’s also appeared in film by Edward Everett Horton, Martin Short, and Ed Wynn, DC comics as foe of Batman and in a music video by Tom Petty. Well, I can safely say that the Mad Hatter made my fashion life a quest for the most bizarre hats.
It’s funny I think how no one can tell you for certain if hats are in or out. Hmmm, they are definitely acceptable winter wear. But seriously how many people do you know who can actually take head gear from utilitarian to fashion status. Now J Lo definitely, mmm….hmm!…she’s one lady who made a floppy hat with a wide brim a.k.a the Panama hat a must have for America’s women, doesn’t matter if most looked like fools wearing them in the streets. Now, Jamiroquai, aptly called “cat in the hat” obviously because of his strange choice of head gear has even launched his brand of headgear. Some other celebrities that come to mind are pretty Jessica Simpson, oomphy Janet Jackson, Wyclef Jean (definitely yummy in Shakira’s latest video), the eternal Bob Marley, Missy Elliot, Eva Longoria, Steve Harvey, the eternal Bob Marley…the list goes on. Of course on the desi scene lately apna desi heart throb Abhishek Bachchan in a fedora hat, Prahlad Kakkar, Feroz Khan and Mahima among the women.
So, we ordinary mortals still stick to baseball hats during summer and a knit hat during winter. Men have gradually accepted the beanie (knit hat that hugs the top of the head) into their lives. Most men I noticed treat head gear like a wig in an attempt to hide a receding hair line. But, whatever the reason, the dude does look hip. Beanies are available with all sports brands in fleece or durable cotton in a range of colors.
Women…well why don’t they wear hats? There are coy versions of hats that are available and are very common like the fleece, canvas or corduroy styled hats with a jaunty brim. But, c’mon women there is so much more to explore. Personally I love the rasta hats and berets… they look great if you have the attitude to carry it off. Then there are the kangol flat hats, the bucket hats / fishing hats, cowboy, tuques or knits or beanies.
Now, I know what many out there think when they see a jaunty teen wearing a hat walking out there. But lets face it, we aren’t doing much for the environment and with all that jazz about skin cancer and UV rays, would you rather you carry an umbrella! I didn’t think so.
Accessories that go with hats:
Sandals, Sunglasses and hats make for strange bed fellows but just imagine a crisp white shirt, brown pants, a beige hat and sandals. The image is of cool and confidence.
So choose your perfect pair well. Now, any one who has gone out there to look for a perfect pair of sunglasses that also look cool knows that this is an urban legend. This is a brave attempt to guide you to buy that perfect pair of sunglasses that also makes you look like a movie star. Oversized, colorful and glitzy is the way to go this summer. Remember the primary reason you want to buy glares…yes…looking cool being one of them. But also look for 100% UV PROTECTION. If your sales guy tells you that they are POLARIZED, it means zero. It really doesn’t block out UV rays. Just sock him in the eye and tell him that polarized glasses just cut down on the glare.
Wrap around glasses do give you extra zing in look and protection so the huge retro bee-eyed look is good for your eyes too. Dark colored glares with no UV are like umbrella spokes with no cloth covering them, so don’t even think of scrimping on cost, because that’s another myth that UV sunglasses cost more.
So think huge, huge glasses peppered with 80’s glamour, vintage, square and classic aviators. Just remember whatever looks good on you is what is in vogue this season.
Sandals
Those of you, who are sweating it out in closed shoes or uncomfortable smelly socks, break free now! Get yourself some platforms, wedges are really happening right now. Sometimes raiding your granny’s wardrobe seems more sensible and cheaper than a trip to the mall.
So, stop whining about the heat and give your self a reason to beat the heat. Get out there and look super cool.
Fashion Risks
Mad Hatter is not just a myth. There was a time when hatters really did go mad. The chemicals used in hat-making included mercurous nitrate, used in curing felt. Prolonged exposure to the mercury vapors caused mercury poisoning. Victims developed severe and uncontrollable muscular tremors and twitching limbs, called "hatter's shakes".
Baseball hats do not really protect you from UV rays. Your neck and ears remain exposed. Hats with brims of 2 inches make more sense.
It’s funny I think how no one can tell you for certain if hats are in or out. Hmmm, they are definitely acceptable winter wear. But seriously how many people do you know who can actually take head gear from utilitarian to fashion status. Now J Lo definitely, mmm….hmm!…she’s one lady who made a floppy hat with a wide brim a.k.a the Panama hat a must have for America’s women, doesn’t matter if most looked like fools wearing them in the streets. Now, Jamiroquai, aptly called “cat in the hat” obviously because of his strange choice of head gear has even launched his brand of headgear. Some other celebrities that come to mind are pretty Jessica Simpson, oomphy Janet Jackson, Wyclef Jean (definitely yummy in Shakira’s latest video), the eternal Bob Marley, Missy Elliot, Eva Longoria, Steve Harvey, the eternal Bob Marley…the list goes on. Of course on the desi scene lately apna desi heart throb Abhishek Bachchan in a fedora hat, Prahlad Kakkar, Feroz Khan and Mahima among the women.
So, we ordinary mortals still stick to baseball hats during summer and a knit hat during winter. Men have gradually accepted the beanie (knit hat that hugs the top of the head) into their lives. Most men I noticed treat head gear like a wig in an attempt to hide a receding hair line. But, whatever the reason, the dude does look hip. Beanies are available with all sports brands in fleece or durable cotton in a range of colors.
Women…well why don’t they wear hats? There are coy versions of hats that are available and are very common like the fleece, canvas or corduroy styled hats with a jaunty brim. But, c’mon women there is so much more to explore. Personally I love the rasta hats and berets… they look great if you have the attitude to carry it off. Then there are the kangol flat hats, the bucket hats / fishing hats, cowboy, tuques or knits or beanies.
Now, I know what many out there think when they see a jaunty teen wearing a hat walking out there. But lets face it, we aren’t doing much for the environment and with all that jazz about skin cancer and UV rays, would you rather you carry an umbrella! I didn’t think so.
Accessories that go with hats:
Sandals, Sunglasses and hats make for strange bed fellows but just imagine a crisp white shirt, brown pants, a beige hat and sandals. The image is of cool and confidence.
So choose your perfect pair well. Now, any one who has gone out there to look for a perfect pair of sunglasses that also look cool knows that this is an urban legend. This is a brave attempt to guide you to buy that perfect pair of sunglasses that also makes you look like a movie star. Oversized, colorful and glitzy is the way to go this summer. Remember the primary reason you want to buy glares…yes…looking cool being one of them. But also look for 100% UV PROTECTION. If your sales guy tells you that they are POLARIZED, it means zero. It really doesn’t block out UV rays. Just sock him in the eye and tell him that polarized glasses just cut down on the glare.
Wrap around glasses do give you extra zing in look and protection so the huge retro bee-eyed look is good for your eyes too. Dark colored glares with no UV are like umbrella spokes with no cloth covering them, so don’t even think of scrimping on cost, because that’s another myth that UV sunglasses cost more.
So think huge, huge glasses peppered with 80’s glamour, vintage, square and classic aviators. Just remember whatever looks good on you is what is in vogue this season.
Sandals
Those of you, who are sweating it out in closed shoes or uncomfortable smelly socks, break free now! Get yourself some platforms, wedges are really happening right now. Sometimes raiding your granny’s wardrobe seems more sensible and cheaper than a trip to the mall.
So, stop whining about the heat and give your self a reason to beat the heat. Get out there and look super cool.
Fashion Risks
Mad Hatter is not just a myth. There was a time when hatters really did go mad. The chemicals used in hat-making included mercurous nitrate, used in curing felt. Prolonged exposure to the mercury vapors caused mercury poisoning. Victims developed severe and uncontrollable muscular tremors and twitching limbs, called "hatter's shakes".
Baseball hats do not really protect you from UV rays. Your neck and ears remain exposed. Hats with brims of 2 inches make more sense.
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