One of my favorite underrated summertime accessories that comes in basically any shape or size imaginable is the sun hat. There are so many things right about wearing a hat out in the sunny summer weather, but to avoid sounding like a Public Service Announcement for skin cancer, I will stick to the fashionable aspects of this fantastic wardrobe pick.
This Fashionista has locked down the easy-going summer boho glam vibe while out and about, visiting the famous Saturday morning Farmers’ Market in Madison. Even with the shoulder to shoulder throngs of people making their way past vendors selling the freshest produce, delicious baked goods and beautiful flowers, this Fashionista was easy to spot. The combination of a Panama hat with a bright turquoise crop top gives her look a cheerful manner. Throw in the printed high-wasited shorts and two tone thick strapped leather sandals, and I am completely sold on this outfit. This Fashionista even surpassed expectations by adding an ultra-cool studded leather wrap bracelet as a finishing touch.
One of the most successful aspects of this outfit is how the mixture of neutral tones of the accessories interacts with the bright and colorful clothing that has been selected. This is done by a careful balance of lights and darks throughout the outfit. Notice how the Panama hat and shoes feature similar tones, visually starting and ending with the same idea from head to toe or vice versa. With this approach in mind the leather bag then acts like an additional pop of color in the outfit, even though it is technically a neutral color.
How To: If you don’t really consider yourself to be a “hat person,” I urge you to reconsider. Take a fellow Fashionista to the mall and spend some time playing dress up at a hat rack, try on a wacky style just for fun and if you fall in love with it, buy it! Hats are a great way to become a more confident individual because they command so much attention. So when you get that attention, savor it and use the compliments as a challenge to continue to push your limits. There is no room to play it safe in fashion, so get out there and get creative!
