You probably have a lovely new hat that you have just been dying to wear. You have been saving it for just the right occasion, and an opportunity presents itself as a wedding. However, you wonder, can you wear a hat to a wedding?
Is it the proper thing to do? While donning a hat can do wonders for your whole outfit, you would want to avoid being singled out as the odd lady with a hat. So here is a detailed guide of places you can or cannot wear a hat to.
Source: Heidi Dulebohn
When To – Hat Edition
Good news! You can wear your hats or fascinators almost everywhere. Your decision to wear them all depends on you. Are you wearing it for function or fashion? Is the purpose to protect yourself from natural elements like the sun, or are you making a fashion statement?
Be it a funeral, a church service, a sporting event, and yes, even weddings, you can wear your hats anywhere you please. In some cases, it all depends on the culture or environment. Most cultures have traditional hats for occasions and festivities, for example, the Gele hats of the Yoruba and the Isicholos of the Zulu.
The Western Culture is not a stranger to hats either. You can often see pictures of celebrities wearing hats to weddings. Mind you, depending on circumstances or place, certain etiquette comes with wearing a hat and instances where hats are not allowed, and these rules must be followed to the letter.
When Not To – Hat Edition
One thing you must do when wearing a hat is to ensure you are wearing the right hat or one most suited for the dress or occasion. Specific hats cannot be worn with certain outfits. For instance, it is basic lady etiquette not to wear fashion hats with cocktail dresses or evening gowns.
These dresses should be worn with specific cocktail hats, veils, or headbands; those are the preferred headwear for such occasions. As mentioned earlier, there are instances when hats are not allowed. Baseball hats cannot be worn in certain government houses, which is considered rude.
Sometimes, wearing a hat when dining with someone is improper, especially if you are a guest in their home. It is also advisable to refrain from wearing hats at concerts, cinemas, or any public gathering where your hat could become an obstruction.
The last rule goes without saying, but make sure your chosen hat is secure and fits the shape of your face. No one wants a flying hat mishap, and indeed, you must want to look your best.
From the Cultural Gele to Western fascinators, hats are powerful fashion statements. They accentuate your outfits, giving them just the right amount of class and pizzazz.
What makes hats so great is that you can wear them anywhere, so long as you follow the proper etiquette and wear them with the right attire. If you do not own a hat, this is a sign to add them to your wardrobe.
