"A hat should never be too serious, it should always have a touch of playfulness and fun."
— Philip Treacy
Thank you, Philip. This is so important. Hats should be joyful. They should make you smile. They should make the person sitting next to you at the races turn and say: "I love your hat."
Too many women approach hat-wearing with anxiety. Will people stare? Is it too much? What if it is wrong? But Treacy is reminding us that hats are fundamentally about pleasure and play. They are the most fun part of getting dressed, and they should feel that way.
In my studio, trying on hats always involves laughter. Always. That moment when a client puts on something unexpected and lights up, that is what this is all about.
"If you are not smiling when you put on your hat, it might be the wrong hat. The right one always makes you grin."
— Kathryn Lee
Fun Fact
Sarah Jessica Parker wore a Philip Treacy headpiece to the 2014 Met Gala that became one of the most photographed hats of the decade. The dramatic black and gold creation perfectly captured Treacy's philosophy: bold, playful, and utterly unforgettable. Parker later said she felt "invincible" wearing it.
