Trend Test Drive: Mini Retro Hats

Etsy.com is probably one of my favorite shopping sites because of all the quaint, vintage-inspired, handmade items they sell. I particularly love the retro style headpieces that feature mini hats, birdcage veils, feathers and large beading.

So, during one of my usual trips to the Greenhills Tiangge, I was excited to see stalls that were selling these Etsy-style headpieces: twenties-inspired mini hats adorned with lace, ribbon, pearlescent beading and tulle. 

This medium sized hat retails for P250 at the Greenhills Tiangge. It come with 2 glued-in hairclips.

It’s funny that even though I see funky trends like these pop up in the mass retail stores, bazaars and local online shops, I don’t actually get to see a lot of people wearing them. Maybe it’s because once you reach the 25 and above age group, you become less and less exposed to all the hip stuff and its many cool executions. When i do see someone sporting a trend, it’s either they look silly in it or they look cute–the latter is usually attributed to the fact that the wearer is 16 years old and below. One prime example is the Gossip Girl-inspired ribbon headbands that Blair Waldorf famously sported on the fashion-forward show.

This mini brown hat retails for P150 at Girl Shoppe (Rockwell branch). It also comes in black, pink, purple, nude, white as well as leopard print.

So, I decided to buy a couple of hats and try them on myself:

I like the romantic look of these cute (admittedly, mostly useless) accessories. They’re vintage yet funky at the same time, so using them to adorn an everyday outfit like my usual tank top and jeans automatically gives a plain get-up a dose of quirkiness.

But if quirky isn’t what you want to go for, I think it’s possible to sport these pieces without looking like fish out of water, or a flapper lost in time, by pairing it with sleek pieces. A classic black shift, mary janes and a vintage bag is sophisticated and ladylike for an evening out.

For daytime, if you prefer to add an unexpected twist and retro vibe, pair your hat with a tulle skirt (in a pale shade of dusty rose or washed out peach) with a basic tank, a dainty multi-strand necklace and ballet flats in a metallic neutral

Finally, if you want to keep the costume quality of a mini hat, I suggest playing with androgynous pieces. Start with your favorite skinny jeans, layer on a puff-sleeved top and a tuxedo style vest. Accessorize with a crystal necktie chain and a hat in a bright shade of red. Lastly, keep it sexy with a pair of gunmetal mid-heel pumps.