Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Real Estate's "Hat Lady"


Why We Wear Hats

Humans have covered their heads since...forever, I believe. Initially, head wear offered protection from the elements and from injury from falling rocks, weapons and masonry. Later, head coverings became symbols of status or authority. Soon after, hats progressed to become not only a uniform, but also an art form.

In fashion terms, hats are a very noticeable accessory because the onlooker's attention is first drawn to the face. A hat is the most noticeable fashion item anyone can wear. The old saying goes, “If you want to get ahead and get noticed, then get a hat”.

Since some body heat is lost through the head, in inclement conditions it is important to cover the head. Babies in particular lose heat rapidly through the head, thus ensuring a baby or toddler has a warm covered head in winter is important.

Today, technically a hat-maker makes hats for men whilst a milliner makes hats for women.

Running parallel to these hat making arts were workshops or more correctly, workshops called plumassiers where feathers were dyed and made into arrangements for both the worlds of fashion and interiors. Plumes have always been a status symbol and sign of economic stability. Fortunes were paid by rich individuals for exotic feathered hats. Gorgeous feathered hats could command as much as “100 pounds” in the early Edwardian era. The Edwardians were masters in the art of excess and the flamboyant hats of the era are a clear example of this.

Etiquette and formality have played their part in hat wearing. At the turn of the 20th century in 1900, both men and women changed their hats dependent on their activity, but for many ladies of some social standing, it would be several times a day. Etiquette articles suggest that it would be a disgraceful act to venture out of the house without a hat or even gloves. In the Edwardian age, it did not matter if you were poor or rich, old or a child... whatever the status, a person wore a hat.

As children, I comment, we were taught to always wear hats and gloves for Sunday church services or on special occasions...weddings, graduations and funerals (which today are referred to as “Celebrations” of the individual's life).

My Hats”

When I returned to the “work force” following several years of teaching and the raising of two young children, it was to Real Estate Sales that I ventured. Tuesdays and Thursdays were two-hour Open Houses for Realtors to view newly listed properties promoted by local offices. On one such day, the weather was inclement...windy and storm threatening. To keep my longish hair in place, I wore a hat. The following week, the mirror told me, “Your hair is a mess.” So, I donned a hat for disguise!

Soon, Open House Realtors were asking, “Merle, where's your hat?” WOW! If “they” noticed my hat, perhaps I should “trademark” this accessory!

At Overell Real Estate, it was a requirement to have an”official photo”, arranged at office cost. Here was my opportunity! Denise, my hair dresser at that time, gave me a spectacular hat (indicating she would never wear it!) ...brushed felt of brownish taupe and oyster, it had a brim that could be partially tipped up; surrounding the dark section of the hat was a long curving off-white ostrich plume. I Stunning! This became my “advertisement” for several years.

In the meantime, whenever I discovered a “hat of interest” and envisioning its colour and style co-ordinating with my wardrobe, I bought it. A hat rack in my hallway “housed” all these hats (often stacked 2 or 3 on a brass hook). Whenever I left home, it was to “select a hat”. Any chapeau I wore, looked great...seemed, I had the face for it!

Of course, I had the casual hats (like most people)...rain hats, sun hats, sport caps, party hats, black patent top hats for costumes, a silver rhinestone studded tiara, a New Year's feather hat, white fox ear muffs mounted on a velvet band, a black motorcycle helmet and a pink “Harley Honey” peak cap with royal blue flowers on it (the latter I wear even today at my computer, to keep sun out of my eyes).

When I moved to a small apartment, it dictated I had to part with several of my hats. Stored today in hat boxes, I have 20 or more. Please permit me to introduce you to a few of my business and special events hats. Occasionally I felt inspired to accessorize with co-ordinating scarves, decorative pins, artificial flowers or feathers...in this fashion, the hat became distinctive.

BLACK HATS: combinations of felts and suedes. One hat is bowler-styled with a large front brim turning upwards and studded with multi-coloured stones. Very Unique!

LACY PICTURE HATS: one a white wide-brimmed straw and a similar one in teal blue.

HOT PINK FEDORA: a gift from my daughter on Mother's Day.

SILVER-GRAY hard-coated Western style with attached horse pin.

SANDY BEIGE suede hat with gold studs and narrow leather trim

PURPLE and GOLD: My son was “Best Man” at Craig's wedding. For this event, I purchased a gold outfit (short lapel jacket with a matching “shell” plus culottes). I loved the style, but not the colour, especially. I trotted over to Madame Angelo at Burlington Mall...purchased unique purple jewellery from Italy and a hat that, I'm sure was “made just for me”! Purple felt with a large upturned curved brim at the front...trimmed in various gold braids. It looked Turkish!

PALE PINK: for a Spring wedding I was to attend, it was very feminine...a brushed felt hat with a wide brim...decorated with brown, taupe and pink feathers on the side and a small flower cluster. Accenting the hat was a face veil.

MEXICAN STRAW: Along a Yucatan beach one February afternoon, Eleanor and I were enjoying cold Corona beers with lime slices. One of the local craftsmen was selling straw hats. For a few pesos, I owned a crushable natural straw with a long multi-coloured woven cotton ribbon, tied around the hat, knotted at the back and hanging below the shoulders. Could be folded in my suitcase.

FOREST GREEN HUNTER (my Robin Hood styled hat) with a long tapering pheasant feather, black and tan striped.

AUSTRALIAN BLUE-GRASS: A local boutique had imported several of these hats with an invitation to attend a soiree (wine and cheese); a representative displayed them...where else would I find one?
It was hardened felt, the colour of Kentucky Blue Grass...feather trimmed ...had so much “character”.

SECOND BUSINESS PHOTO: Through Montreal Trust sales, I earned a weekend trip to Las Vegas (Thursday to Sunday). For one-half price, I took my son, Andrew, with me. The Flamingo Hotel was very impressive...I noted that when guests left their rooms, it was designed that they walk through the casino to exit the hotel. Along the route were a few shops...one featuring clothing and accessories for women. In the window was a red felt hat with a two-inch fine grain ribbon banding it. Very attractive ~ probably expensive! My resistance was good...so I thought. When Sunday arrived, I yielded to temptation, set it upon my blonde hair and Voila! A decision was made between the hat and me! Within a couple years, I transferred to Royal Lepage Real Estate Services. Their colours were red and black on a white background. “Time for a New Photo” to profile the Flamingo Hotel hat! My photo against a night time view of Burlington's waterfront and midnight sky... placed on my business card... was Magnificent!

SHELLAC WHITE HAT: Travelling with my Harley Davidson motorcyclist friend, we rode northwest to the Bruce Peninsula en route to Elliot Lake in northern Ontario. We boarded a ferry at Tobermory (at the northern tip of the Peninsula) to Manitoulin Island. We picked up a fast food lunch and with fresh strawberries we bought, lounged for a rest on the beach. Bob left a few minutes... to a shop across the road. He returned with a gift for me...a wide brimmed white hat with a large gold-tone buckle on the front of the band. He agreed...it looked great! How to carry it on the bike??? I wondered. Simply...put my arm through the plastic handholds of the bag...we mounted the Harley, circled the island, then a bridge over to Espanola and north to Elliot Lake. The hat bag swayed continually as we cycled.

FUR HATS: For many years I've worn fur coats on cold winter days. It was “a given” that I must have a fur hat! One is either Jaguar or Leopard in tans and blacks with narrow black leather trim; another is unshorn beaver in a light beige; 2 or 3 brushed felt hats have fur trim. Then there is “busbie” style hat of long fur in shades of grays and oyster shell. A white mink tam was a “surprise find” one day.

FLOWER POWER: My first California foray in the mid 1990's was a thrill! A friend met me in Los Angeles. In a gold MG, we first travelled to Palm Springs, then along the Mojave Desert to Reno and over to San Francisco; lastly along the dramatic coastal highway south. Near Santa Cruz, we discovered a Redwood Forest. A small train toured us among the mighty trees to a glade where we stopped. Seemed very spiritual there...a clearing open to the summer blue sky and surrounded by tall protective redwoods. Our last stop was a cafe and gift shop. So many beautiful crafted hats...each “an original”.

Which Hat Wants Me?” Each seemed to have a soul...like trying to choose a puppy! It was a shellac light tan straw...wide pink lace of 2 1/2 inches encircled the hat...tied in a large bow at the back and hanging loosely another foot below the hat; fastened along the side were delicate pink flowers, combined with feathers of browns and pinks. Truly a “work of art”...it talked the money right out of my wallet. This creation could be worn to a wedding or other special event.

Hats for Occasions

As the years have passed, hats have slowly lost favour, even for weddings and worship with only a proportion of the congregations donning them. They have never been worn universally since the 1920's. They were popular again in the 1980's for weddings and special occasions after Princess of Wales, Diana used them to add a sense of sophistication to her persona. At the recent wedding of William and Kate, female guests wore outlandishly designed hats...several with feathers. It is unlikely that the hat will ever die as an accessory as it offers far too much potential for drawing attention to the face. Fashion designers are aware of this and every so often exploit this fact in the hope that fashion followers will adopt the hat.

Major Horse Race Events almost dictate that women wear creatively designed hats...it's the thing to do! And no woman is going to miss this opportunity to “grandiose”!
Have you observed the races at the Triple Crown beginning with the Kentucky Derby in United States?
The Royal Ascot in England? The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival in Australia? The Dubai World Cup? The Queen's Plate in Toronto, Canada? Hats are part of Horse Racing Tradition!

JEAN'S REQUEST: Over a year ago, prior to Mother's Day, this long-time Bridge Friend called asking about certain style of hats which she needed for possible walk-on roles in movies being filmed in our locale. For her, I chose a few and delivered them in hat boxes for her selection. She was most delighted.

My Philosophy re Hats...and other wardrobe:
Wear what is comfortable...
Wear what you like...
regardless of the month of the year!
Our seasons have no restrictions on colours!

White in winter-time? It's called Winter-White.

Merle Baird-Kerr
June 6, 2011



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