Tuesday, April 1, 2008

The Ubiquitous Straw Fedora


I tried to resist for a while, and I know this trend has been lingering on for longer than it should (see my "resistance" face above. That's serious focus). I finally caved this past weekend and bought one. The omnipresent fedora/trilby (not quite sure of the difference between the two). Here is my assuage-my-guilt reasoning for said purchase:

1) I love hats in the summer and I don't think I can get away with a cowgirl hat one more year (talk about beating a dead horse- sheesh! Honestly, I'll probably slip it on in the privacy of my own home every once in a while. I did love that trend. When was it? 2002?).

2) It goes with any kind of boho chic revival you have going on in your closet (not sure if I have yet re-embraced boho ... that's why I said "you." I'm being non-committal. Is it a bit too soon?)

3) I feel ever so slightly like Audrey Hepburn when she first met Givenchy, with a gondolier hat perched at a jaunty angle on her head. Except I'm not meeting a world-class designer, and I'm being trendy instead of classic/eccentric/paving my own road. Still... a girl can pretend.

4) I didn't buy an overpriced Urban Outfitters cap... I scored one for just $9.99 at the local Walgreens! Tell me that's not a deal! The hats a Walgreens are meant for dapper men heading to church on Sundays (they also had a gray felt hat with magenta band if you are over straw and like something warm on your head in the summer). I have to say I do like a man in a fedora. My boyfriend looks gooood in one, and so do these gentlemen below:

Left: Guess? model. Right: Terrance Howard. Photos courtesy of Guess? and photolava.com.

I'm loving that this is a unisex trend at the moment, though probably a bit more omnipresent on the ladies:
CW from top left: Sienna Miller, Rupert Friend and Kiera Knightly, Mischa Barton, Nicole Richie, Cameron Diaz. Photos courtesy of: The Daily Mirror, Photolava, Celebrity Style.

If you don't live by a Walgreens or would prefer to buy your millinery where they don't also sell toilet paper and allergy pills, see below for other fairly wallet-friendly sellers:

23 comments:

tam pham said...

I really love your blog! Asian bloggers are the best :-)! Let me know if you'd like to do a link exchange! Take care!

June Shin said...

I love forever21! I wish there was one intown. :( I tried on a Fedora from Urban and my fiance told me to stop trying to be Alicia Keys. What does he know?

Romany said...

Hmm... I'm not huge on the whole fedora trend, but I can definitely see why they appeal to some. A lot of those who don the fedora look positively trendy (Kate Moss etc - it even looks great on you so good job!), but I just know if I tried this I'd looks ridiculous. Lol.
Romany
xx

Chic Closet said...

I like hats in general, but they never seem to look good on me. I have a big head! lol

Mare said...

I know, I know, the whole trend thang issue, and the fedora thing can be iffy...but if it looks good on you, wear it. And it looks great on you! Frankly, it looks better on you than the celebs you posted (although I do like it on Mischa [sp?] Burton as well). Your expression in your photo is great, although I'm not implying that you have to perpeutally wear it while wearing the hat). :-)

Anonymous said...

I got sold on the straw fedora when I saw Melvin Poupard in his in "Broken English" (also starring Parker Posey). You should try it with a pair of perfectly tailored pants (pref. pinstriped) and a linen/oxford button down. Androgyny and understated French chic - how perfect!

dance with me forever said...

reminds me of alicia keys..it looks good on you :)

Tabitha said...

We're on the same wave length. A straw fedora is one my new must haves for the summer! So cute on you!

L.I.N said...

yikes. i have been eyeing the urban outfitters want for ages.

now that you posted the picture, im remembered of it again. im potentially psycho-ed to buy it!

Clare said...

I love my straw fedora! It is amazing!!!!! Mine came from Target the French boutique and cost $12! YAY!

Unknown said...

Walgreens? Wow! It looks great on you, so it's a good thing you caved. :)

Anonymous said...

I've been meaning to ask you guys, but I keep forgetting. What salon do you guys go to? I'm dying to get my hair into a bob (think VB), but I haven't gotten my hair done in Atlanta for years (been going to Korea at least once a year and go to v. experienced and v. trusted hairdresser there). And I'm freaked out about someone messing it up because you know short hair is SO hard to fix once it's messed up. Thanks!!

AsianCajuns said...

tam pham, thank you thank you! We should definitely do a link exchange!

june shin, forever21 is also online so that's where I usually cave! Also, I bet you looked super-cute in the fedora and does the bf know his reference is kinda dated ;)

romany, it would look great on you! Thanks for the compliment ;)

chic closet, I have a huge head and I wear hats alllll the time... I just can't resist!

Mare, thanky thanky–I'm blushing! I like Mischa's look too, and I do love the facially expression... I'll wear that more often ;)

miss atl, didn't you love the fashion in that movie? And, as you know, I am a fan of a man in a hat.

helvetica, merci beaucoup!

fashion therapist, thank you! Definitely pick one up. $10 for a lot-a happy.

eleh, seriously, I loooove this hat. You should definitely go to Urban!

clare, my favorite french boutique ;) I bet you look super-cute in yours!

Natasha, thank you thank you! I'm still marveling that Walgreens had them too.

Miss ATL, we go to Grow (East Decatur Station in Decatur). We've been going there for about 5 years, and I luurrrrve it. I see Robin. She gives the most amazing cuts ever.... they grow out beautifully, but she is a bit pricey (I get my hair cut sporadically). Cath goes to Marcus who is also amazing and slightly cheaper than Robin. It's a really fun salon and looks like one of those very chic places (you can ask for wine or a beer or coffee while you wait), but they are never pretentious or snooty. I highly recommend it!

J said...

Go with the hat; It looks V cute.

ediot said...

thanks for the comment! yes. hats can sure look great. i have one but feel i can't wear it well..
wish u a perfect week/and weekend

Ane said...

I love the hat!

geri hirsch said...

fedoras are the best! looks adorable on you!

Candice DeVille said...

Yep I love the straw Fedora, I've been wearing mine for four years now. I do think it looks better on you than on any of the celebs pictured. They all look a bit sad to me really. BTW a Fedora has a larger crown and brim than a Trilby, but they are very similar in shape. I think Trilbys' look better on women because the proportions are better.
Love the blog, check me out and let me know if you are interested in a link exchange.

Anonymous said...

Seriously adorable. I try to get into hats, but my hair freaks out if anything touches it so I don't know if I'll be sporting a fedora any time soon.

Miss T said...

triby's rock, i want one, if only i dint have so much hair on my head, i might try the mens section, might have better luck

Sally Jane Vintage said...

Pulling off wearing a hat just takes loads of confidence. Just won the look and you'll look amazing!

faithsalutes said...

I have 2 hats in this genre. I wear them ALL THE TIME. So worth the investment. It makes me feel like I am on a cruise all the time.

Anonymous said...

I love hats! Too bad i can't wear them because of my big head.