Shop with mother
Two generations, one problem solved: this week, high-summer hats
Charlie Gowans-Eglinton, 31
I’m not much of a hat person, usually. I always feel a bit of a wally and prefer to stick to the shade. But there are certain occasions when a hat really is necessary, and I seem to have come across all of them this summer.
The first occasion was sightseeing in full sun (the Acropolis at midday). The only shaded spots – a few patches under some olive trees – were already harbouring tourists wielding selfie sticks. I wasn’t wearing a hat, and was soon looking longingly at the elegant straw styles on the heads around me.
The second was a speedboat day trip
– hours of full sun, strong winds. Ties under the chin can be useful, but are a bit too “Easter bonnet” for my taste. Smaller brims (less for the wind to flip up) are the solution – try Maison Michel (michel-paris.com), or Toast has a lovely Panama in the sale for £55 (toa.st).
The third was Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot. I wore Lock & Co’s Henley Boater (£395, lockhatters. co.uk), a smart, black riff on that classic shape to suit the Royal Enclosure’s strict dress code – but the hat that I really fell for when trying pieces on was a headband, called the Boudoir (£455).
The pale pink moire band was padded (like those the Duchess of Cambridge has preferred of late) and topped with a spotted black veil, which does a flattering
bit of light-diffusing magic to the face. I didn’t have the occasion for it, but showed a selfie to Lisa Armstrong, who wore it to a wedding the following weekend.
If you’re looking for an all-rounder, navy or black straw is particularly versatile: easier to dress up or down for occasions or holidays. I’m in the market for a classic holiday hat, so natural straw is perfect.
All that remains, then, is to pack it carefully – stuff the dome with anything soft – and you needn’t even brave the Heathrow hatwalk of shame.
Geri Gowans, 62
It’s been very hot, periodically, this summer, and when the winds blow from Africa and a distinctly tropical sun beats down on my face, I find myself in urgent need of a city hat.
Not a dress hat to flatter me or a couture hat to start a conversation with, but a
hat to carry with me for the daily walks, bites, sips and sits in the sun.
I haven’t had a reliable, stylish, squash-and-springback hat in my tote – next to the brolly – for years. I’ve been depending on a morning slather of SPF to protect me from the short bursts of gentle sun that wax and wane throughout a typical English summer’s day. This summer, though, I’ve really needed cover at some point on most days. Twenty years ago, living in Australia, I always had a hat in my bag. I had several cotton and linen cloches made by the same local milliner, which I adored. I’d find myself poolside, shake out my hat, completely shade my face and actually improve my outfit.
Since then, I’ve bought a selection of gorgeous sun hats with large or larger brims, which I can’t keep on in any level of breeze and so just carry about all summer. I still love the hat that Charlie bought me at the V&A shop, but you can’t walk in London with a 10-inch brim.
So I’m excited to have found a Brighton company – homegrownhats.com – that promises more covetable cloth cloches! I measured my head this week – they sell by general size, but they will make to order if you send your head size. I’m ordering an inkyblue dyed linen hat, which looks fab. It’s very well structured and quietly chic, not fussy, naturally breathable, throw-in-tote-tolerant and very attractive. Perfect, since I’m tired of chasing lovely straw hats that seem to be auditioning for the red balloon role whenever there’s a breeze.