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Hats and Horse Racing - When High Fashion Turns Ugly!
The Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot Ladies' Day celebrations have changed and reshaped celebrity fashions as we know it. However, it is important to remember that the classy hats of the Kentucky Derby’s upper crust are a much different style statement than the bizarre interpretations we see on the heads of celebrities.
The hat culture of the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot Ladies' Day has deep roots in British and European cultural traditions, where stylish hats are seen as a statement of grace and wealth. In contrast, hats worn to the Kentucky Derby by celebrities like Jessica Simpson or the Girls Next Door cast are simply loose interpretations of the original styles, interpretations that happen to be pink and sparkly.
The classic celebrity styles of iconic socialites like Grace Kelly have not been well interpreted by modern day starlets like Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan. To better acquaint ourselves with these celebrity styles gone wrong, let us look at some of the “dos” and don’ts” of high-society inspired hat fashions.
DO Wear Understated Hats in Informal Gatherings
Adorable fedoras or bucket hats can be a great day-to-day accessory, especially when you need to conceal a bad hair day or beat the hot sun. However, fedoras should never be worn to formal events, as stars like Justin Timberlake tend to avoid.
DON'T Wear Trucker Hats (unless you are, in fact, a trucker)
Stars like Lindsay Lohan and Ashton Kutcher somehow managed to make trucker hats popular. Not only are they unattractive, even when worn by actual truckers, but they certainly do not cover any bald spots well. Would Jackie O ever wear a trucker hat? No. Thus, you should avoid them as well.
DO Let a Nice Hat Be
If you are wearing a trendy fedora or cap, let the hat simply be. First of all, don't feel the need to add any sparkles or feathers to it. Not only is this cheesy, but you are ruining a perfectly nice and simple hat. Secondly, please do not accessorize flashy hats with flashy outfits. And for the love of celebrity fashion, avoid matching your denim fedoras to your denim ensembles. Actually, just avoid denim fedoras all together.
DON'T Rely on Bucket Hats To Conceal a Lack of Effort
Stars like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton frequently rely on bucket hats to conceal a lack of effort on days they do not choose to wear makeup or do their hair. Avoid the trend of using hats to conceal the fact that you look like pond scum. A hat should be the cherry on top of a beautiful wardrobe and fantastic hair.
DO Stay True to the Classic Styles
The classic styles of the Kentucky Derby are timeless. If you want to embrace classic celebrity fashion a la Audrey Hepburn, seek out hats that exhibit classic grace. Embrace your inner jet setting billionaire by donning one of these amazing wide brimmed straw hats at your next beach side social gathering.
The styles of the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot Ladies' Day are classic, European, and refined. These dignified hats need to be worn with taste and attention to detail to ensure you don’t look like a starlet gone wrong. Celebrity fashion can indeed be elegant and stylish, when done right. When done wrong...then you're Lindsay Lohan. |
