Way back in the dawn of time, when Easter came around, the most marvelous thing for me was not the Egg Hunt or the chocolate rabbits in my basket, it was the plethora of hats I saw in church. I should have realized then I was a "magpie personality ." It was all the bright and shiny that took my breath away. Hats with tulle, hats with feathers (sorry birds), hats with jeweled hatpins holding them on, they were all a trip into fantasy land for me. I angled closer to the best hatted Ladies for a better look. I wriggled down the bench seat to see how the tulle was attached. I got the "lecture" in the car as soon as we were released from the services. But I couldn't stop. Hats, hats, hats...glorious hats...that you rarely see anymore.
Now you see hats in Britain for special occasions but not here. If you want to seek out hats in the United States, then the best place to stalk them is in the local community of black churches. I thank the black Church Ladies for their continued devotion to "splendiferous" hattery. I thank them for keeping alive an elegant reminder of delicious confections for the head. I commend them for their fashion sense, verve and joie de vie. They are the last bulwark against the loss of beautiful adornments for the head.
I mourn the loss of this once essential component of dressing well. I regret the passing of a tradition that was the avenue for creativity for many folks who were considered artists in the fashion community. Oh, there are still hatters,but their works are rarely considered as everyday staples of fashion. And it disturbs me that there will be less inspiration for the people on the bench with the "magpie personalities," such as me. So, bless the Church Ladies who still wear their hats; long may they reign.
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