“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
Coco Chanel
Today is Hat Day! Let’s celebrate by digging into our closets and donning a hat to commemorate a tradition that has come down through the centuries. It seems that hats first appeared in ancient Egypt, if we are to believe a Thebes tomb painting, which shows a man wearing a conical straw hat. Now, every time I wear my straw hat, I will remember that, like those that came before, I am merely repeating the act of seeking shelter from the heat of the sun. Nothing has changed; the sun continues give warmth to our world.
Generally, we identify art as a visual, tactile or audio occurrence, an external stimulus rather than an internal idea or action that stems from reflection. The simple act of wearing a hat signifies a creative expression. From Fez to Beret, Gatsby to Panama, Stetson to Sun or Top hat, we display individual, artistic thought.
We all know the Fedora of Indiana Jones, the Ascot in My Fair Lady, the tweed Deerstalker of Sherlock Holmes and the Bowler made famous by Charlie Chaplin in The Tramp. Today, with my hat at a jaunty angle, I created my individual artistic statement. As Coco Chanel once said, “I don’t do fashion, I AM fashion.”
Perhaps the first step to understanding art is to recognize that we are all artists.
ChasingART 
I very bad at warring hats, but love them, they are a beautiful piece of art. I just thought Charlie Chaplin, his mustache and hat were his trademarks so I live you with one of his quotes…
A day without laughter is a day wasted.
Charlie Chaplin
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Oh!! I do love that quote!! I am making 2014 all about the joy of each day! Glad that we are celebrating together! 🙂
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we sure are 😉
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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Hats can be lovely accessories (very useful too), I love hats, but had never thought of them as a creative expression – that’s a new perspective! 🙂
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I always liked the way Frank Sinatra wore his hat! To me, it was a symbol of his music, his attitude – “I did it my way.”
“Cock your hat – angles are attitudes.”
Frank Sinatra
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Oh hooray hat day!!!! I got a haircut that is way too short and I was despairing about what to do for an event today!!! It’s hat day! I’ll wear a hat~
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What a great idea! I love your ability to embrace life as a wonderful adventure. I don’t think you even have a “bad hair day.” 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I don’t wear many hats, but my husband has tons … at least 25 … of what I call baseball caps. I don’t think he ever bought one. Different businesses etc are always giving out free ones. Free is good. lol I wear one of his to shade my face when going for a walk.
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Twenty-five!!!! And I bet every one of them is unique! I am amazed by the variety of baseball caps – they are an ubiquitous fashion (art) statement. 🙂
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hats are good. Wasn’t Coco a spy or something like ?
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“Sleeping with the Enemy: Coco Chanel’s Secret War, by Hal Vaughan claims she was. It came out in 2011 – haven’t read it, but you can be certain that the House of Chanel took exception to theory and provided evidence to the contrary. I hope you wore your hat or cap for Hat Day! It was rather chilly these days, so I’m celebrating “hats” every day!!! 🙂
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Pretty hats! Wearing a hat doesn’t come naturally to me, but I’ll make an effort for this special day. 🙂
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You would look fabulous in a hat! Thank you for making that special effort. 🙂 Let me know what kind you decided to wear… 🙂
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I’m not sure if this counts, but I wore a babushka…a headscarf favored by old Slavic women. I didn’t leave the house, though. :-O
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Yes, Yes, Yes! It counts!!! By the way, Babushkas are growing in popularity. Remember Doctor Zhivago? They are colourful and warm – Dare I say, dramatic! Hat day is inside and outside!! It was cold on my side of the world, so I wore a toque contraption with flaps!
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And you are one of the loveliest artists! Is that you expressing your style and flair and artistry, in the shade of that beautiful straw hat? Happy National Hat Day!
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I love that hat!!! It keeps me cool as it flops around in the breeze. I have decided that 2014 will be National Hat Year. I even have a red one that goes with a purple cloak. How is that for artistic expression!! 🙂
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Very artistic! Now all you need is a feather in your cap 🙂 (now what is the origin of that saying, she wonders?)
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It seems, from a quick search, that the feather in a hat symbol is found in several cultures: It signifies honour and achievement. Remember this tune:
“Yankee Doodle went to town,
Riding on a pony;
He stuck a feather in his cap,
And called it macaroni.”
Anyway, I will look for a feather and wear it proudly….
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I do remember that tune! And I am sure you will find a beautiful feather 🙂
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You will be the first to know!! 🙂 Just like you knew about the Vancouver doorknobs being phased out! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Since the earthquakes here and our need to remodel parts of the city, there has been a lot of interest by certain groups in the way Vancouver City has developed; infill housing, ecodensity, etc http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2013/08/21/ecodensity-on-steroids-triggers-neighbourhood-opposition That general interest, plus the fact that I now know someone in Vancouver (:) ), means that my attention is often caught by news items on your fair city!
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I am amazed by the connectivity of our world and the exchange of thoughts and ideas! 🙂
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Me too!
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🙂
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