"I Just Don't Look Good in Hats"

I love boater hats. I love their straight, precise lines and the drama you can create with them.  They can be styled in so many ways. But whenever I put on a boater and look in the mirror, I take it off. They just don’t look good on me. If the only style I tried is a boater, I would be one of those people who say, “I just don’t look good in hats.”  You see, I have a square face. The straight lines around my face just don’t look good with the straight lines of a boater. I need something rounder, softer, asymmetrical. If you have a round or oval face, wear a boater!  It’ll look great on you. 

So what’s my point?  If you keep trying on hats and you never like the way they look, maybe you’re always gravitating toward a similar style that isn’t right for your face shape.  Try something totally different from what you think you like, or ask your favorite milliner for a suggestion. Or just try on everything and see what works. 

Don’t know what your face shape is? Pull your hair back and look straight into the mirror. It’s often quite clear then. I’ve heard of a trick of tracing the outline of your face onto the mirror with a lipstick so you can clearly see the shape in your outline. I’ve never tried it, but it sounds kind of fun. 

Oval shaped faces can pretty much wear any hat style and look good. You know that friend who looks good in every hat? Probably has an oval face. Heart shaped faces can look good in most styles, too, but if your forehead is wide, a sloping brim will be better than a straight across brim. For any other shape, you want to balance your face with the opposite shape in your hat. Have a long face?  A tall crown is probably not the best option; go for something lower. Round face - look for straight edges on a hat; square shaped face, go for curves and asymmetry. Actually, asymmetry is pretty universally flattering, so if all else fails, cock your hat and see what you think. 

But remember, sometimes it’s ok to break the rules. Go ahead and try on that hat that grabbed your attention. It might be fantastic. But if it doesn’t work for you, don’t be discouraged, just try a different shape. You'll find the right hat for you.