Hats - find the right carriage driving hat for you

If you're connected with me on Facebook then you've heard about my hat drama.  Simply put I was having trouble finding a hat that I liked and then, when I found it, having trouble getting it in time for the recent show.  To help eliminate hat drama in your life I'm going to share some of the websites that I have found helpful.

What is your hat style? http://www.hat-a-tude.com/whatsMyHatStyle.ivnu  This website doesn't necessarily have driving hats but they do share how to find the best hat for your face.  They also offer the advice "A hat should be no wider than the width of your shoulders. Broad shoulders...wide brim hat; narrow shoulders...short brim hat.  A tall or larger lady can wear a lot of hat. A petite lady will find a smaller hat more flattering. This refers to the overall size of the hat not just the inside diameter.  They also have some excellent advice on hat care and traveling with a hat.

How to wear your hat - A hat is meant to frame your face. The brim should be parallel to your eyebrows and a finger's width above them. Holding your hat, look inside the hat and line the label up so it will be centered at the back of your head when you wear it. Place the inside front edge of the hat on your forehead and put the hat down and back setting it down ON your head firmly.  It's very important when driving to make sure that your hat does not affect your vision or obscure your face.  Be careful with brims with an edge that drops down or brims that are too droopy.

Where to buy a hat? Tough question. Hats by Katie and DD Rapps are popular places to get carriage driving hats.  If you're showing at ADS shows then that may be the best option for you.  If you're showing at local shows or someplace that allows for a bit more individuality then Google 'church hats' to find a smorgasbord of options.  I've had good luck with DivineFashions.com and ElegantFamilyFashions.com (update as of 01/2013 this site appears to be out of business). One of the cool things about these sites is that they change seasonally.  If you don't see the color or style you like check back in a few months and they will have an entirely different selection.  By the same token, if you see something you like then you'd better buy it because they may not have it for long.

Colors - Your hat color should complement your vehicle and horse.  Green and browns go good with chestnut horses, etc.  HobbyHorse.com has a wonderful color wheel for matching horse colors with fabric colors. It is good to be aware that may judges still prefer a more conservative color. Some people suggest staying away from black but with the right hat I think it is fine.  Just make sure you don't look like a funeral.

I hope this helps you find the right hat for you without drama.