Everyone, it seems, was wearing a hat last weekend – at the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky and on the opposite side of the pond in England, and all points in between at those smaller parties the commonfolk threw to celebrate these events. I chose a sun hat purchased at Marshall’s for $16.99, designed by the swank San Diego Hat Company to go with my no-frills weekend, just in case anyone is wondering, and although it was tempting, I didn’t adorn it with little hot glued horses running around the brim – or oversized flowers or bows.
It got me thinking about all the hats we wear. Last summer, I sent adventure hats to the coastal grandkids – to wear on the boat, at the beach, in the kayaks – anywhere adventure calls! I got the kind with a chin strap so they wouldn’t lose them.
Ironically, I lost my son’s borrowed boating hat when my cap caught a breeze on a fishing trip in April. I’d needed my own chin strap.
I recently bought a new sun hat for kayaking and camping to replace the monogrammed one that a student gave me back in 2010 as a teacher gift – I’d given it a hard look and realized its age, like a teacher ready for retirement who has been worn slap down through the years. It was time for a new one!
Bartholomew Cubbins knew a thing or two about hats. Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses know that head pieces such as crowns, tiaras, and hats make statements. The most famous crown of all time hung on a cross as a place in Heaven was built for us.
I shared a recent post where my dad entered a synagogue in Capernaum and he and his friend had forgotten to remove their Atlanta Braves caps (the monitor smiled and tactfully gestured for them to remove them), and it got me thinking about all our hats. With all the hats we wear, literally and metaphorically, what are your favorite hats? Please share your best hats and hat stories in the comments, and if you have any great hiking hat suggestions, I beg your secrets!
Common Threads 
Kim,
This is such a fun post. I’d say you’re really into hats! I wore a hat for my first wedging but don’t wear hats often. However, the past few years I’ve begun wearing a cap to help shade my eyes in summer. My favorite one says DOG MOM on the front. I love seeing the Brits in their fascinators, and calling a crown a hat made me chuckle. I think Camilla and Charles look ridiculous. Ken loves horse racing, and I’d love to attend the Derby maybe next year. I’ll wear a hat!
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Glenda, sounds like a trip south needs to go on the list to see the Derby! I spent the first few years of my life in Louisville, KY as my dad finished seminary there, but I don’t remember much about it. I’d love to go see the races! Thanks for reading today. I need a dog mom hat!!
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Love the focus on hats! This line had me chortling, “like a teacher ready for retirement who has been worn slap down ” – and I think my favorite of your photos is the ‘stick out your tongue’ hat. My favorite hiking hat was an expensive one bought out of necessity from an outfitter near Zion National Park a couple summers ago – I was unprepared for the temperatures of 100+, the sun shining so bright and hot, my pale skin frying…I swear by that hat now. The brand is Outdoor Research, it has a wide brim, and it is a rare good fit for my big ol’ head. I wear it on walks, gardening, hikes. Love it!
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Maureen, thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing about your hat. I’m getting ready for some hikes through the state parks, and I need a hat more for hiking, especially one with a neck flap that’s breathe-able. I’m going to check out your Outdoor Research suggestions. I have to stay covered since I have already had one basal cell removed and the one yesterday might be one too (awaiting the biopsy). I didn’t listen when everyone told me to make sure I stayed covered in sunscreen when I was younger. Oh no – – what did we do? Baby Oil and Iodine, full sun. Burnt to a crisp so it would turn dark. We were clueless. Thanks so much for sharing!
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I’m with you on the hat front! I only wear baseball caps and ridiculous hats that keep the sun off of my face and neck. I’ve been dealing with melasma since my second child was born. Those big hats help keep it at bay.
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Stacey, you taught me something – – melasma. I had no idea what this was, but I looked it up. I, too, have to be extremely careful in the sun. I just had a spot removed from my right hand yesterday, and as I age I notice the spots of my years on an island are now taking their toll. Hats are a must for me just for that reason. I’m needing the neck flap these days, so that will be one of my next criteria for hat shopping. Thanks for commenting today!
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If you need a good one with a neck flap, check out UVSkinz!
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Kim, what a delightful post. I absolutely adore your photos of all the different hats your family wear and the royalty, of course, are most divine. I love a hat that has a big brim around it with the chin strap for boating and lying on the beach. What water are you boating on in the photo that shows that information? I actually rarely wear hats. I always look like some kind of pinhead when I do and my hair is so fine that it tends to become quite staticky when I do try to wear one. Oh well, but you definitely look cute in a hat!
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Thank you, Barb! We are actually fishing in the river just off Beaufort, SC in that picture. If you followed any of the Murdaugh trials where Mallory Beach was killed when the boat slammed into a bridge piling, we are a mile from that bridge. My son lives right there, and the guy taking us out on his boat, my son’s longtime friend, is one who does the tagging of Great White Sharks for Ocearch. He does the underwater photography – – you can see his documentary on You Tube called Passion Led Me Here. He is fascinating to go fishing with! Thanks so much for the hat comments — – I hate I lost that hat!
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Wow! I will check out the video. The river is a great place to be but definitely has its share of tragedies!
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Such a fun exploration of all things hat! I love all the creative names. I rarely think about hats except for feeling thankful when I have one to keep my head warm or to keep the sun off. Perhaps I’ll be a bit more aware now…fun post!
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Thank you! I had no idea until I looked back through pictures what a “hatty” crowd we are!
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WOW!! At first I just enjoyed reading about hats. Then I felt like I was treated to an entire fashion show of hats!! You must have had fun searching through your photos! Your clan has a great collection! My youngest just bought a sewing machine and used it to sew 2 hats for her niece who she finally got to visit last week. Your slice has inspired me to write about hats, too!! I’m set now for next Tuesday!! I think you’ll like the hats she made!!
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Sally, I can’t wait to see those hats! There is something magical and sentimental about a gift that is handmade! I know that her niece will treasure these gifts!
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Kim, wow. I wear more hats in the desert than I ever had before. I have a straw hat, a ball cap-style one and a stocking cap that my daughter knitted for me. I love all the many photos and all the “kinds of hats” — my favorites are the Stick-Your-Tongue-Out Hats, Swinging Bridge Hats and Birthday Hats. I feel you’ve got a poem in there!
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I have a love-hate relationship with hats. I appreciate their warmth in winter and shade in summer, but have a hard time dealing with hat hair and the inevitable sweat where the hat touches my head (in summer). Your post made me think of the very old Amy Grant song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDRIAtdhH1E
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I absolutely loved reading this post about hats! It’s interesting to think about the different hats we wear in our lives, both literally and metaphorically. My question for you is: do you have a particular favorite hat that holds a special meaning to you, and what’s the story behind it? Great job on this post, I look forward to reading more from you!
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting! I appreciate your kind words. I think my favorites are my graduation mortarboards because they symbolize learning and education. How about you? Do you have a favorite hat?
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Thanks for your reply. Yes, my favourite hat is my Akubra. Mainly because when I’m wearing it it’s sunny and often I’m on holidays.
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