Let's Talk Accessories, Shall We?
It seems there are only two kinds of hat
What a time to be alive. Let’s start with a shoutout to the Past President’s Club, unsung comedic heroes of yesterday’s whole affair that they were.
George W. Bush’s chaotic facial expressions deserve a trophy, as does the aid caught backstage asking Obama, visibly in a silly mood, if he is going to behave or not?
Some have criticised these restless country-servers for serving faces but I reckon it’s carte blanche on the expression front while listening to your entire life’s work get trashed in so formal a setting. God knows Trump’s eyebrows would be soaring through the clouds in a solid gold heli if the tables were turned. Meanwhile Michelle apparently knew her face was going to be too much for the memesters and recused herself.
As a person with a highly expressive face myself, I also kinda get why Melania went for the expression-obscuring Eric Javits hat, though the Carmen Sandiego comparisons are not unmerited. What do we honestly think this choice was about? My guess is she just wants to be left to grimace or whatever in peace. Or maybe she was worrying about crying real tears? Seems out of character but you never know.
Lately I’ve been trying out an eccentric hat of my own and am not mad at it. Nora Ephron (via Kathleen Kelly) once said that almost all hats are a mistake but I think there are rare exceptions. When properly selected, hats can add a little interest to a winter look in a less somber way than Melania’s, who did frankly look like she was attending a funeral. My current mad hat has, I hope, the opposite effect in that rather than obscuring my face, it makes it more visible than usual by clearing my forehead and cheeks of unruly hair. In fact, it almost exaggerates my expressions, which Marc says makes me look like a hyperactive British eight year-old forced to dress up for church but one starts getting so bored with sober winter style after a few months that I think I’ll wear it anyway. Plus it feels great having your head covered in below zero temperatures.
Maybe all hats can be divided into two categories: the kind that obscure and the kind that reveal. The former may serve as obscuring protection from the sun, or the cold, or one’s husband’s pucker. The latter puts the face out there on display like a dumpling offered enthusiastically on a silver platter.
Either way, if you decide to don a hat you are automatically putting a message across: approach me or do not, under any circumstances, approach me. If this message is for the sun, good on you. I need to start doing the same this summer much as I admittedly love a few rays on my punim. Boo! Why is everything fun bad for you? Dry Jan rolleth on.
Come to think of it, maybe all accessories come with a message?
Come hither shoes are a thing, no doubt about that. I’m rich bags too. I’m subtly rich bags are a niche bestseller of course. I am not rich but I have friends in high showrooms bags are not immediately recognisable but if you see a designer bag on me that’s where we’re at. (Sorry but can we content creators please stop pretending we buy everything ourselves?)
I’ve actually come to love the no bag look, with its handsfree, outfit-focused ease. It’s only practical up to a point though, plus some totes are not to be resisted.
Like this one by Toteme, which I’ve just received as a high blessing from the mysterious gifting Gods. Praise and gratitude. It’s subtle, practical, and gels well with the mad hat without competing for the spotlight.
Contrary to my taste in hats, in bags I’m always looking for one that looks elegant without disrupting the daily looks. My chocolate bucket above definitely fits into that category, as does this big guy from Le Tanneur, the ideal gym/laptop/both bag.
Socks are an easily-integrated statement-making accessory I’m partial to as well. I guess the statement is, “wahey! I’m actually kinda kooky under this formal guise!”
I’d really like to explore this subject more with you but unfortunately I’m late for a meeting so I’ll leave you to mull over the above dooh-dahs for now. Plus a slideshow of legendary British telly presenter Jon Snow’s hosiery below. An inspiration.
Oh no wait! Weekly Recs:
Read: Pandora Sykes’ interview with Tina Brown is top of the ‘stack today.
Need: These Falke red socks are my year-round favourites to fit under various footwear.
Follow: Paris dwellers, if you aren’t following @Yann_Vous_Cusine on Instagram you’re missing out. Warning: Yann is rude as hell and slates just about every fine dining spot in the city. Unfortunately for grand patissiers everywhere, he’s hilarious.
Late for a meeting Monica might be my favorite Monica? This post is hilarious. Love it. A+++
You looked stunning in the hat + shearling coat! And love the tote bag rec!