Hatty Days Are Here Again

Yesterday the annual Hat Parade hit America at the Kentucky Derby. The hats overshadowed the race, as I have no idea what horse won, being mesmerized in fascination with what women will place on their heads for special events.

The first picture is my favourite hat of the day. Elegant. Sublime. A larger image of it can be seen elsewhere on the Interwebs, but for spacing reasons here, we'll let it be as it is.

Unlike the British, who truly know how to "rock the hat" for good and ill, Americans usually fall short of the whimsy, and, when attempting to do so, end up looking like this:

Oh dear Gawd, I can imagine too many awful things that could be hiding within that nest. At least she tried, right? And she looks very happy!

Now, in comparison, yesterday was also Cinco de Mayo. One similarity one can make between the two events is alcohol intake. At Churchill Downs, home of the Derby, one sips a Mint Julep or champagne; for the celebration of the fifth day of May, it's usually tequila and beer. Either way, everyone has their own versions of fun and blow-outs. The American elite-effete and the Down Mexico Way crowd could not be more dissimilar...except with the need for large hats.

Event Hats must be BIG and bold. It also helps to keep strangers from getting too close to one's face and personal space, thus intimate conversations must take place several feet away. Here is an example of a Cinco de Mayo hat statement:

Well, I guess the guy in the picture can be excused from the Stay Away From My Face portion of the big hat expression. However, if anyone stumbling behind him filled with libations were not careful, they could very well mistake what they see as a whirling fan to cool their jets, and for the remainder of the evening/afternoon, the Hat Wearing Gaucho may have found himself stuck with one crazy loon.

First two images via: Getty
3rd via: http://fitnessista.com