Exciting Fashion Challenge: Hats!

So, in exciting non-recessionary news, my husband just got a freelance job doing graphic design for a polo event on Governor's Island, which means an opportunity to a) look at fancy people dressed up fancy, and b) dress up faux-fancy myself (it's free to the public unless you want to pay for a VIP picnic ticket). The "polo style tips" page emphasizes "hat first; outfit second" and advises a large brim and some sort of flair that "amuses" (yay!). And so, here is a short list of hats I am considering for either buying or inspiration: I may just MacGyver my existing H&M floppy straw hat with some fun gussying-up materials. Any hat I buy has to be extremely cheap, of course, because that's how I roll, i.e. not in hats, unless it's a costuming situation. Which I consider a polo match to be, or, really, any event involving horses. And so, perhaps:


So here's your basic fedora with a cute colored ribbon: French Connection Shamble Hat, $39.99. Of course, this is easily customizable if you DIY it. Colored ribbon plus cheap hat = done.



Sundried hat from Anthropologie, $128. This is one hundred percent DIY-able; just get some raffia and start tying. The only question is where does it fall on the cuteness scale?



You could probably just go to the dollar store and wild out, too, as demonstrated by this Juicy Couture "Pompom Tassels" hat, $88.



Pansy field fedora from Anthropologie, THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT DOLLARS. Seriously. Again, dollar-store doable. And cute!




A white hat would also be cute for summer. Here's a really basic white straw fedora from Tilly's, $12.99. Ribbon and done.



Or...handy with a grommet gun? Try to re-create this seriously cute Eugenia Kim grommeted fedora, $297.



Or add some sparkle with a sequined scarf, like Eugenia Kim did with this "Craig" sequined straw fedora, $315. I don't have to say that you could DIY this, right? Cough cough.

If you don't feel like doing any work and just want to spend a few bucks on a hat, here are some nice inexpensive options:



Forever 21 two-tone fedora, $8.80. (I'd probably still switch out the ribbon though...maybe?)


Aeropostale plaid-print fedora, $7. So sweetly preppy! I might just get this just because. It's seven bucks!



Torrid silver straw fedora, $18. Bling it out!



Tarnish floral overlay fedora, $38. Actually classy. I could totally see my friend Michelle T. rocking this.



Eugenia Kim for Target fedora, $16.99.

Now for the ridiculous:


ASOS bunny-ears fascinator, $33.82. This exists.

Finally, I am all for Betsy's tiny hat idea, which she executed wonderfully. I'd even go so far as to suggest pinning this item to your head if you really hate hats:


Blue and white straw hat, $2.50. (OMG.)

I would not, however, recommend bringing your, um, rat to this event, as the seller notes: "Never leave your rat unattended while dressed. While they can slip out of the outfit if needed, harm could still come to them if you are not there to watch them. Please note that it sometimes takes a few tries before some rats will keep their clothing on." Ain't that the truth!

I'll leave you with this fun fact: Carl will be taking direction at times from a star polo player named Nacho who also models for Polo. His assistant is also named Nacho and will also be contacting Carl. This is not going to lead to any hilarity at all!

Sandals, Sales, Steals & Stuff

Ok. First of all, I've been reading about French Connection's leather leaf sandals:

($75.08, French Connection, Asos.com)
Whereas I hate all feet, I'm definitely not much of a thong fan. I don't want to see your feet, I don't want to expose my own, and I don't wanna see the black nastiness you're walking around in in the smelly dead heat of July. But, if I HAD to wear such shoes, I don't think I'd be super adverse to these. I can't STAND the ridiculousness of the Greek goddess sandal, so this is a decent happy medium.



($48, French Connection, fcusbuymail.com)
This is the Serin sandal, and I actually don't hate this either, but this is far as I'll go, y'all. Now keep your feets to yourself!!!



($350, Davis By Ruthie Davis, CoutureCandy.com)
These are absolutely atrocious, which is so unfortunate because I love the Davis By Ruthie Davis D'Orsay heels that are totally the hotness. These are totes the notness. She needs to stick to the fuck-me heels. Flat Mary Janes are NOT the way to go. These look like Little Orphan Annie Goes To The Spearmint Rhino or something. Ew.



($165, What Comes Around Goes Around, Shopbop.com)
Again, totally out of season, but What Comes Around Goes Around is one of my favorite brands, and this dress looks like it'd be even more amazing in person. Gogiter!



($52.80, Wrangler, Shopbop.com)
These looks super comfy AND slimming, and the ass is really cute. Tee!



($66, Seven Jeans, Shopbop.com)
An insane deal for Sevens. Plus, it's totes a wardrobe staple.



($110, Eugenia Kim, Shopbop.com)
Speaking of staples, I want to love and wear this Eugenia Kim dress forever and ever and ever, amen.



($55, Shopintuition.com)
Lovely AND even cheaper with this 25% off promo code: HANDPICKED



($168, Jessica Elliot, CoutureCandy.com)
This handcuff necklace is suh-weeeet, BUT, who's got it for waaaaay less? Oh yeah. That'd be me. It's sold out, but I got more where that came from, so holla at me.