Tea Party Hats {Fashion}

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1950's ad photo via Pinterest

From the time tea was first imported into England, sharing tea with a group was an excuse for good food and conversation for both men and women.  Afternoon Tea as a social event was introduced by English Royalty in the 1800's.  This formal "break" in their day soon became a very fashionable and social event.  During the 1880's, these high society women would wear gowns, gloves and especially hats for afternoon tea.  This is a tradition that continues throughout the world today, though not as formal in many places.  Common sense will tell you what type of dress to wear to your tea party.  Whether it is an afternoon at a friends house or it is formal, informal, business, outdoor, or for a wedding/baby shower, it is always best to check with the host if your invitation does not specify. 

A formal tea, usually in a designated tea room, would be best suited for dressier clothes.  A suit for men and a dressy suit or dress for women.  It is not usually appropriate for any daytime tea to show cleavage or wear cocktail attire, or jeans and a t-shirt.  Many classic tea party styles from the past, which are fun to dress up in even today, highlight accessories such as gloves and pearls and especially hats!  Even if you don't normally wear a hat, a tea party is the perfect time to do it just for fun.  Many people say they don't look good in a hat and that is because they haven't found one that suits their face shape yet. 

FASHIONABLE FACE SHAPE HAT TIPS~{these are only guide lines because there are always exceptions to rules}

OVAL~
Lucky you can wear many styles but, one of your best are large brimmed hats that are either floppy or straight and no wider than your shoulders. Looks very classy on your nicely proportioned face shape.

ROUND~
Your goal is to make your face longer and  more like an oval, as well as give it some definition.  So look for an irregular brim, a taller crown, and vertical design features like feathers.

RECTANGLE~
Your focus is to soften your jawline.  You are looking for a hat with a full or uplifted brim.  You also want to avoid high crowns and small brims that make your face look longer.

SQUARE~
You want to soften your jawline and elongate & slim your face shape.   An irregular brim and a prominent crown will make your face appear longer.  You can wear it at an angle to soften your face's squareness.

OBLONG~
Your styling focus is to shorten your face shape and add some width.  Try wearing full or upturned brims.  Try to avoid too much height in the crown.

TRIANGULAR~
You're trying to add width at the forehead.  So wear any hat style that adds width to your forehead like asymmetric brims and crowns with some height because they help to draw attention upwards.

DIAMOND~
You really want to widen the look of your forehead.  Try a hat with a  medium brim to avoid making your forehead or chin thinner.  Hats with side bands to help visually widen your forehead look great too.

HEART~
You'll want to find a hat that narrows your forehead.  One with a tall crown and a medium brim so your forehead appears slimmer.  Wearing your hat tipped to an angle is a great look for you as well.

Stunning Carol Bader Design via Del Mar Hat Co.

There are many stores and online sites that carry hats today.  You can find them in all shapes, colors, designs and sizes.  Many places will also create custom designs just for you. 

Garden Party Hat via Emily Way Hats

Another fun option is finding a plain hat, (which is usually a lot more cost effective) and then embellishing it yourself.  You can do this with costume jewelry, pins, silk flowers, ribbons, lace, feathers, buttons and other trims.  Let your imagination take you away and get creative with your own personal Tea Party Hat style!

Olive Green Tea Party/Church Hat via Garden Party Teas

Hats done all in one color, but using different materials and textures, are very stylish and will make it easier to match more outfits.  I would also add that you can never have a flower or bow too large for a Tea Party Hat!

Classic Stripes for Spring via Jill Henning Hats

By adding a bright or bold ribbon you can really add drama to an otherwise simple straw hat.  Another cost effective trick is to look for end of season clearance hats.  This is also a great idea since so many people like their Tea Party Hats to be made of straw and other light materials, and they are harder to find when not in season.

Dressy Hat by August Hats via Macy's

Not all hats have to be adorned with flowers and feathers and lace ribbons.  For a classic chic style you can find one in which the ribbon is made from the same straw material that the hat is.  Two toned hats are always in style.

Kate Middleton wearing a Fascinator via Cupcake MAG

If you think that a hat might be too big or not quit your style then try a perky little Fascinator.  These have really made a come back since Kate Middleton stepped into the recent spotlight.

Custom Order Fascinator via NataliLouise/Etsy

Fascinators either have a small base to hold the designs on and are then pinned on your hair to hold them on, or the base of the design is actually on a thin headband, which makes it easier to wear.  They typically are adorned with feathers, flowers, or other small jeweled accessories.

French Hat with Bow via The Alternative Wife

I believe that every girl needs to have at least one great GO-TO fabulous looking hat that she can feel great in, since you never know when that Tea Party invitation will be coming in the mail!  Whatever your HAT style is have fun with it.  It is only a tea party after all and they are meant to be fun!   If you're not used to wearing a hat and don't "think" you look good in one you probably won't like it.  To that I would say... Who really cares what anyone else thinks because when it comes to wearing a hat it's all about the HATTITUDE!  So do whatever you want but most of all have fun.  So tell me, if you could design the perfect Tea Party Hat what would it look like?