Mad Hatters Tea Party: Follow Alice

There weren’t any rabbits or other cute creatures, but there were lots of beautiful women sitting out in front of a local restaurant in Natchitoches, Louisiana one early fall this year. Non-Southerners might think nothing of it, not knowing that hats aren’t worn much anywhere these days, unless when it’s raining or cold enough to warrant one that covers the head and the ears. So the sight of loveliness framed by hats would be an occasion for notice anywhere. Like a mad hatter’s tea party, we need to follow Alice and not take tea or leave home without hats for a number of reasons.

Skin cancer is one of the most important reasons. Doctors say it’s been increasing at alarming rates. What’s interesting is that there seems to be a relationship between hat wearing and skin cancer increases. Skin cancer on the face has been exploding, no doubt because the face is left victim to sun exposure accumulation, a big cause for cancer as scientists say. A wide-brimmed hat or one with sufficient cover in front can do much to shelter the face from problems of many kinds.

Age spots increase with age. Skin fade creams help, but nothing works better than minimizing sun exposure. So to keep skin smooth and free from signs of decline wear a hat.

Covering the head helps keep the body warm, so it makes sense to wear a hat on a cold day just because it’s true. Medical folk tell us that heat escapes from the top of the head.

No longer do people wear caps to bed, but perhaps they should given the high cost of heating. Our great grandparents had simple ways of keeping warm we would do well to emulate now.

Women frequently say they don’t wear hats because they don’t look good in them. That’s fallacy really since everyone does. It’s finding that hat that works its charm for the head it adorns that does it. Nothing makes a woman feel and look more refined and elegant than a fine-looking dress together with a fine-looking bonnet. Try it sometimes. Walk down the street and watch the smiles, especially from fellows. They will find you unique and charming.

Hats are great at any age. The young woman gets that face framing effect many times over coupled with protection to keep the face young. The older woman gets face frames and attention that goes to the whole of the look and the costume and that doesn’t focus on flaws.

So I say hurray for hats, the mad hatters who make them and the Alice in Wonderland women who show us the way. Now watch me go down that rabbit hole with wonder and awe, making my way, hat in hand, to wear when I get to the party.