Gallic Hat Chic, Farmer-Style?

 True story. . . .

 I’ve picked up a few hats this summer, two colourful floppy ones in the market in France and then a navy-and-white fedora and this Panama-style number both in a great little hat shop in Whistler, where mysisters and I had fun trying on different looks before three of us (well, two and a sister-in-law, but really, she’s a sister!) went home with new lids.

Fast forward to this week with my 4-year old granddaughter visiting, and we have a moment that goes something like this. She spies my hat, lying on a desk, and remarks, “Whose hat is this, Nana?”

“That’s mine,” Nana answers.

“Oh, I love it!” says little girl, very enthusiastically. “It’s so big. Like a farmer’s”

“Just what I wanted,” replies Nana with more than a smidgen of irony.

“That’s what you wanted to be,” picks up Nola, “when you growed up? A farmer?”

So I’m not sure I’ll be taking this hat to Paris with me next year after all. Although the French do love their farmers, non?

** Since the timing’s perfect, I think I’ll join the party I just heard about over at Style Crone. Apparently, there’sa gathering of hat-wearers there, and it seems it might be a good place to hang out — you could check it out too! See you there. . .

24 Comments

  1. That's Not My Age
    4 August 2013 / 6:07 pm

    Take it! I think it's a great hat – more French chic than farmer style. We've just got back from Provence, everyone wear them there.

    • materfamilias
      4 August 2013 / 11:06 pm

      Thanks! Supposedly, it's packable . . . although my over-packed carry-on might be a bit more squish than it was intended for.

  2. Pondside
    4 August 2013 / 6:24 pm

    Children say exactly what's true from them. I guess to Nola, it's a farmer's hat. To me it's a chic, rather French Country or Swedish Seaside hat. Take it!

    • materfamilias
      4 August 2013 / 11:06 pm

      It was so cute, her very honest response! — mind you, this was before she'd even seen it on my head. . .

  3. Vivian
    4 August 2013 / 6:46 pm

    Great hat! Not farmer-ish at all! Isn't it amazing the ideas the comments of a 4 or 5 year old can plant in our minds! 🙂 Would love to see the other hats as well, please….

    • materfamilias
      4 August 2013 / 11:07 pm

      It really is amazing — such a different perspective! As for the other hats, perhaps I'll have to join future Style Crone Hat Attacks. . .

  4. Iris H
    4 August 2013 / 6:50 pm

    Hat looks great on you and you are looking really well. Clearly les vacances have done you good.

    • materfamilias
      4 August 2013 / 11:07 pm

      Thanks! I do love les vacances!

  5. The Style Crone
    4 August 2013 / 7:51 pm

    I love this hat on you! You wear it with great confidence and perfect with your hair and smile. Thank you so much for linking up with Hat Attack!

    • materfamilias
      4 August 2013 / 11:08 pm

      Thank you for organizing it — and for the kind words.

  6. Madame LĂ -bas
    4 August 2013 / 11:22 pm

    I really like that hat on you. With your curls and striped top, you look very youthful.

    • materfamilias
      5 August 2013 / 1:39 am

      Aw, you're sweet! Not too much I can do about these curls, as you can well understand . . . 😉

  7. K.Line
    5 August 2013 / 1:51 am

    OK, that's hilarious! Kids are crazy. I think you look cute in that hat. I've never actually seen a farmer wearing a hat that looks anything like it. 🙂

    • materfamilias
      5 August 2013 / 2:19 pm

      I think it must have been the wide brim that got her attention. It was so funny, especially her tone, which was enthusiastically complimentary. . .

  8. Unknown
    5 August 2013 / 5:09 am

    Fantastic hat, and very flattering in person!! It looked casually chic, when I saw you in it.

    • materfamilias
      5 August 2013 / 2:20 pm

      Casually chic is always the aim — thanks!

  9. Melanie
    5 August 2013 / 7:24 am

    Wonderful to see you smiling in your fantastic "farmer" hat. Nola, so sweet. No, I think this hat would still like to see Paris. She'd fit right in.

    • materfamilias
      5 August 2013 / 2:21 pm

      Thanks! So you think she has that certain "je ne sais quoi"?

  10. Anonymous
    5 August 2013 / 7:21 pm

    You have a beautiful hat and a beautiful smile, and a wonderful granddaughter. I disagree with Nola, though. With the striped shirt you look more like a gondolier, not a farmer. The hat might even allow for some "bricolage", I am thinking covering the blue stripe with another color, or with a scarf.

    • materfamilias
      6 August 2013 / 3:54 pm

      Ha! I can see the gondolier here, now that you mention it! To be fair to Nola, she was actually commenting on the hat itself, before seeing it on me.
      And you're right, it might be fun to change the hat up from time to time by wrapping a scarf or different coloured ribbon from time to time.

  11. Lorrie
    5 August 2013 / 11:48 pm

    That hat has a chic air when paired with your smile and curly hair. Love it! I'm sure that Nola was thinking of a most chic French farmer!

    • materfamilias
      6 August 2013 / 3:55 pm

      Thanks, Lorrie — of course, kids tend to think farmers are pretty cool, right? So I'm choosing to think she just sees me as terribly, terribly cool. And chic! 😉

  12. Tamera Beardsley
    7 August 2013 / 4:48 pm

    I personally love this hat on you! Thank you for your comment on my blog… because it has led me back to your delightful blog!

    xox
    Tamera

    • materfamilias
      8 August 2013 / 12:53 am

      Aw, you're sweet! Thanks!

Copyright

Unless otherwise stated, all words and photographs in this blog are my own. If you wish to use any of them, please give me credit for my work. And it should go without saying, but apparently needs to be said: Do not publish entire posts as your own. I will take the necessary action to stop such theft. Thanks.