"A woman is not really dressed unless she is wearing a hat."
— Virginia Graham
Bold claim. But Graham had a point that still resonates. There is a completeness that a hat adds to an outfit, a sense that every detail has been considered and nothing has been left to chance.
This does not mean you need a hat for every occasion. But for the occasions that call for one, the races, weddings, garden parties, special events, the hat is what takes you from dressed to fully dressed.
It is the difference between a painting without a frame and one that is beautifully mounted and displayed. The content might be the same, but the presentation tells a completely different story.
"I think of a hat as the frame around a beautiful face. Without it, you are still beautiful. With it, you are a masterpiece."
— Kathryn Lee
Worth Knowing
Virginia Graham (1912-1998) was an American television personality, author, and radio host known for her sharp wit and impeccable style. She hosted popular talk shows throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, always appearing in elegant hats and structured ensembles. Her observation about hats and being "really dressed" reflects an era when stepping out without a hat was genuinely considered incomplete.
