Floppy 70’s Hats: Yay or Nay

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Floppy 70’s Hats: Yay or Nay

— by Angie

on February 10, 2011

In keeping with the 70’s fashion revival this season, broad-brimmed floppy hats are popping up all over the show. Some are made of felt while others are made of straw and wicker.

I will never sport a floppy 70’s hat because extremely short hair does you no hat wearing favours, especially when you wear specs too. But I love the look on the right gal. Long hair is not a must, but my goodness does it work. I’ve seen floppy 70’s hats look fab with items as casual as faded denim shorts, and as dressy as a cocktail frock.

I absolutely vote yay. How about you? And would you wear a floppy 70’s hat?

68 comments · Add a comment

Elisa @ What the Vita

(website)

I feel they scream “beach straw hat” to me and that’s the only way I would wear them… I would need to see more outfits with these floppy hats so I can see more ways they can be worn…

February 10, 2011 at 1:43 pm

Dusty

(website)

Active Member

I’m neutral on others, but nay on me. I’m just not a hat person, I don’t think, but even if I were, I’m drawn to more structured shapes for hats. (like the cute black fedora I bought for $3 on clearance that I just can’t seem to get out of the house in).

February 10, 2011 at 1:44 pm

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I hate hats in all forms and won’t even wear them for warmth (they compromise my hearing as well as make me feel like someone’s trying to smother my head), so count me out for this look, but I hope others enjoy playing around with it.

February 10, 2011 at 2:01 pm

(website)

Veteran

Absolutely. I’ve always loved hats, and they’re a great way to keep the sun off my pasty skin.

February 10, 2011 at 2:01 pm

Heather

Veteran

Yay! Team hat all the way. Now to find the perfect one….

February 10, 2011 at 2:05 pm

Sihaya

Veteran

If I had longer hair, I would. I love the look.

February 10, 2011 at 2:27 pm

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I’m on the lookout for just the right one.

February 10, 2011 at 2:27 pm

Mochaccino

I never really loved the show Friends, but somehow this reminded me of the episode
where Rachel wears a big floppy sunhat, and one of the other characters says “Hats are back… and they joined together to form one giant super hat”. I didn’t really like them back then either.

February 10, 2011 at 2:29 pm

April

Veteran

I don’t remember this look fondly and will leave it to those young enough not to have experienced its first go-round.

February 10, 2011 at 2:38 pm

Inge

Love the red one in picture too, and I quite like the look in general too. Some lasses really do look gorgeous in hats, I, with my short hair, do not. So yay for floppy hats, absolutely, but I’ll have to admire them from afar.

February 10, 2011 at 2:51 pm

Inge

Picture two, sigh.

February 10, 2011 at 2:51 pm

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

If I could find one to fit my gigantic noggin then yes!

February 10, 2011 at 2:54 pm

Queen Mum

Veteran

I love them… but hats don’t seem to work out well for me, so I will enjoy them on others this summer!

February 10, 2011 at 3:05 pm

Beth

Veteran

My SIL, who is 6′ tall, wore a floppy suede hat over the holidays and looked amazing. I can’t help if this looks better on taller women. I think I might feel like a stumpy mushroom.

February 10, 2011 at 3:19 pm

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Absolutely love it, but not with my short ‘do. But from the comments, looks like I won’t be the only one admiring them from afar.

February 10, 2011 at 3:20 pm

mamark

A big yay from me! As a fair skinned 40 something with lots of skin cancer in my family, I wear wide brimmed hats out of necessity. In summer, that’s whenever I’m outdoors for a length of time (beach, river, etc.) So I will pretty much wear any style I can get my hands on. I prefer brims that do not go very wavy, like your first style, but this summer I got one that was wavier, like the red one only in straw, and I liked it. I agree that they look better with some hair – I have shoulder length hair and I always wear it down rather than in a ponytail when I’m sporting a hat.

I guess I particularly like this trend because now there will be more choices for me!

February 10, 2011 at 3:46 pm

catgirl

Veteran

I have a floppy black wool hat that I wear in winter. So yay for me, but not sure about straw-related hats.

February 10, 2011 at 3:52 pm

Meg

Nay on me, but I’ve got the very short hair and (sometimes) glasses thing working against me there, too. I used to be a hat gal, but gave most away when I cut my hair. No regrets, though! I picked up some ultra cute headbands today and those are my go-to hair accessory

For others… maybe. But I don’t like them too floppy. The straw hat above is probably my favorite of the three.

February 10, 2011 at 4:03 pm

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Hats suit me well but I do not wear them much. In addition I have short hair now. However I wear a sun hat in summer so I may consider a floppy hat for that.

February 10, 2011 at 4:19 pm

sherrykay

Active Member

No. To me it is sloppy, floppy, hippie, dippy…I guess I am thinking about 7th grade…and all of the other clothing trials.

February 10, 2011 at 4:36 pm

Antje

Veteran

Yay! Sadly, I am not a hat person at all; every time I try one on (rarely), whichever shape/style it is, I just shudder and so does my partner. It ain’t for me. I hope others will sport them as it’s a super cute and fun look.

February 10, 2011 at 4:43 pm

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Yes! I wore it a few weeks ago on a warmer day. It is an old hat that belonged to my sister. I tied my mother’s vintage leather tassel belt around it twice to update it. Wish I could post the picture here, maybe I’ll add it to a WIW post.

February 10, 2011 at 4:47 pm

Carole

Veteran

Wow, I guess we are in a 70’s revival! I remember wearing a floppy hat like this in my sisters wedding.

I will wear a floppy hat in the sun, but that’s about it. Just not a big hat person, but I think they look great in the right setting or with the right outfit

February 10, 2011 at 5:10 pm

taylor

Veteran

Like Carole, I will only wear a straw floppy hat in the sun…on vacation with very large Sunnies:)

February 10, 2011 at 5:23 pm

Jonesy

Veteran

I think these are gorgeous! I wore one sort of like this in college; now I’m not sure I would wear one, but I love the look on others.

February 10, 2011 at 5:43 pm

Maya

Veteran

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. If I can find one that fits my miniature head, I am all over it. With big sunnies!

February 10, 2011 at 5:49 pm

Kristina

So Ali McGraw. I love floppy hats, and with my fair skin, it’s a good thing. I’ve got another redheaded friend, and we are always buying each other cute hats when we see them!

February 10, 2011 at 6:09 pm

Melllllls

i would really really like a sunhat so I am excited to see these in the stores. I hope I will find a great sunhat.

February 10, 2011 at 6:12 pm

yardshark

Active Member

I don’t think hats are something people really wear much anymore, except in cold winter places where it makes lots of sense. I don’t anticipate making an effort in this direction at all.

February 10, 2011 at 6:20 pm

Kyle

Veteran

Gosh, I’m just not a fan. I can appreciate it, but I don’t much care for Boho. Definitely not for me.

February 10, 2011 at 6:41 pm

kimlee

Veteran

A definite yes from me!

February 10, 2011 at 7:36 pm

Late Bloomer

(website)

Active Member

It seems I’m on team floppy hat.

February 10, 2011 at 8:13 pm

Bianca

Veteran

The 70’s floppy hat eh? My mom’s bridesmaids all sported this look in her wedding cica 1974. Though it looks cute on the pictures above, I think I’m going to pass. I feel to enveloped in large hats. I do own large brimmed sun-hat I like to sport, but not exactly as large as these floppy hats.

February 10, 2011 at 8:17 pm

Joy

Veteran

Yay for the look on others. I love the idea but have never been able to find the right hat. I think my head is smaller than normal because even knit hats won’t stay on and fall over my eyes.

February 10, 2011 at 8:54 pm

danza.armonia

Active Member

Yes to the nth power! I love hats, and that red one is spectacular!

February 10, 2011 at 9:15 pm

stringy

Veteran

I love the look and would happily wear it – but I’m too short! The large brim stops me from seeing anything but my own feet! I have to tilt my head way back, and it looks like I’m playing dress-ups in mummy’s wardrobe

February 10, 2011 at 9:30 pm

Mac

Veteran

As a pale skinned freckle-face, I loooove big hats but the floppy 70s versions are just too boho for me and my style.

February 10, 2011 at 9:55 pm

Lena

Active Member

I’m a hat girl However, I do find it harder to wear them once I cut my hair short. Well, that’s not entirely true: I’m wearing a warm hat every single day this winter (otherwise I’d freeze to death) – thankfully I don’t get bad hat hair; and when summertime comes around I’ll continue to cover my ears when I’m outside for a long time.

I have a HUGE floppy hat I got two years ago. I may pull it out when it gets MUCH warmer. It’s navy blue, with white pintucks.

February 10, 2011 at 10:06 pm

Steph

Veteran

I *love* these. I am a huge fan of hats, and have always particularly loved wide-brimmed hats. My wide-brimmed hat from last summer has probably seen better days, so I might have to get the first one in this post (I’m thinking in teal).

February 10, 2011 at 10:58 pm

Marley

Veteran

I will definitely give this type of hat a try! Not sure if it will work on me or not since my hair (though not real short) is certainly not long! I’m also not sure that I can pull them off since I’m kind of on the short side – but, I’ll never know if I don’t try – so YES for me!

February 10, 2011 at 11:11 pm

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

If I may quote Maya: “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.” My sentiments, exactly! I’m going to wait till closer to sunny weather to find one. I may look for a straw one.

February 10, 2011 at 11:18 pm

rute

Veteran

I love the look! not the first one, but the 2nd and the 3rd. I want one!

February 11, 2011 at 12:40 am

maxine

Member

I LOVE the look of them! Loving the red felt one but whether I’d feel confident enough to wear one myself is another matter. I will definitely be trying them on in the shops

February 11, 2011 at 1:22 am

Lynne

Veteran

…I’d wear these in a heartbeat, but not in black. I grew up in Australia so broad brimmed hats are second nature to me :). We were not allowed outside to play unless we had at least 10cm all round…

February 11, 2011 at 2:10 am

Sarah

Active Member

I LOVE floppy hats, but I just can’t make myself look good in them. I’ve got short hair though too….

February 11, 2011 at 4:46 am

cora*♥*

Active Member

I’d love to but I’m too short, I’d be trying to look at other people’s faces and finding the hat’s brim instead;

February 11, 2011 at 6:09 am

Maggiethecat

Oooh, I love the look, and have long straight seventies hair… however I can’t see myself working up the nerve to wear one in public (not in my town anyway). Partly because nobody wears such a thing over here (this winter I’ve seen nary a beret or similar little hat on the street, let alone such an eye-catching piece), and partly because of, like another poster already commented, the end result is likely to be a stumpy mushroom… I’m not even 5’2″.

February 11, 2011 at 7:29 am

alice

yes completely! i love floppy hats

February 11, 2011 at 7:55 am

empressmitzi

Yay! I wear them anyway for sun protection, so this year I get to be on trend. Time to stock up!

February 11, 2011 at 8:01 am

chellebrate

Active Member

Yes!

I have one that I wear a lot in the summer, considering I spend 3-4 days a week at the beach on the river where I live. I love the protection it provides from the sun. I plan to wear it this spring with my wide leg jeans.

February 11, 2011 at 8:13 am

Diana

Veteran

Yay, so long as I do not decide to get my hair cut super short (I also wear specs full time) and assuming I can find one that actually fits on my big head. I think floppy hats like this, though, are mostly for wearing outdoors and in casual situations…

February 11, 2011 at 8:24 am

Georgia

Active Member

Yes! I love this look!!! It’s pretty yet practical.

February 11, 2011 at 9:18 am

Deb

Active Member

Oh *gawd* does this bring back memories of my yout’ … I’ve got a photo from the era, ready to head out to a disco and posed, hand on hip, in an outfit featuring high-waisted, wide-legged jeans, platform shoes, some sort of vest, and The Hat.

I guess I’ll say “yay” … if only in defense of my youthful shenanigans… :-/

February 11, 2011 at 10:15 am

Elly

Veteran

I am going to be contrary and insist that hats of lots of different shapes and sizes can look good on women that wear short hair and glasses! I am a hat lover through and through and actually wear my hats less when i have long hair becuase I prefer them (all of them, from cloche to cowboy to baseball cap) on me when my hair is short. Usually when I am rocking a pixie I will leave my “sideburns” and the hair at the nape of my neck just a tiny bit longer (I hate having my neck shaved/buzzed) the little bit of whispyness around my face and on the back of my neck peaking out of a hat (and usually earrings) is all I need to counteract the x-factor. I almost always have to pull long hair back when I wear a hat anyway, otherwise it is shifting around and sticking out oddly or looks like one of those wig strips of hair sticking out the back. Perhaps this is because I have moderately sticky-outie ears and the hats force the hair to fall over my ears and it gives me “wings”? IDK. But anyway, I insist that hats can look good with short hair! With my hair the length it is now I could rock this look in a 70s sort of way, but with a pixie or short bob it could translate to be very 30s.

February 11, 2011 at 11:02 am

Melody

Active Member

Phfffftttt! That’s a nay for me. I do like hats … fedoras, cowboys, even buckets, but I don’t at all care for the floppiness of these hats for myself. I do wish people wore hats more often.

February 11, 2011 at 11:07 am

iamang

(website)

Active Member

I think those hats are fab. I hope to find one for this summer!

http://fasionablylearning.blogspot.com/

February 11, 2011 at 11:57 am

Ljubica

Active Member

Not for me. I feel awkward in dramatic hats.

February 11, 2011 at 2:03 pm

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I love hats! A lot of them look too big on me though, so I have to tread carefully. I’m with Elisa in thinking this shape is very “beachy” to me. I’d consider it, but I think it has the most promise as a summer hat for sun protection.

February 11, 2011 at 4:31 pm

Pat

Yes! Yes!! Loved them during the 70’s….love them today!

February 11, 2011 at 5:28 pm

Parmi

(website)

Definitely Yay!
I really love floppy hats, have one for every summer.

February 11, 2011 at 5:57 pm

Tanya2

Yes, absolutely, yay, yay, yay!

February 11, 2011 at 8:33 pm

nancylee

Veteran

In general, I love hats….but these floppy hats are cute only for the beach, not real life. (I wore a yellow floppy hat as a preteen bridesmaid in my cousin’s ’78 wedding. Kinda cool then…..very Meryl Streep in “The Deerhunter”….but as a fashion statement now they seem sort of costume-y and unoriginal.) I vote nay unless you are under 30. Super, super trendy.

February 11, 2011 at 10:07 pm

Mander

I also like big hats for sun protection, but I prefer mine to have a little bit more structure and a slightly smaller brim than these. Floppy ones always seem to flop right into my eyes, obstructing my vision.

February 12, 2011 at 8:30 am

Kira

Active Member

Yay! The very instant the weather warms up enough I’m stepping out with a lovely purple hat I got at the Pasadena swap meet. I’ll pair it with a black cocktail dress and purple bow belt. I’ll try some more casual ensembles too!

February 12, 2011 at 12:43 pm

Eva

Active Member

I think the hats are adorable. My sister, who lives in Hawaii, often wears a hat when she is outside to protect her ultraviolet dyed hair from fading too quickly. I have a small head (I can wear youth size hats ), but would love to wear hats if they fit.

February 12, 2011 at 2:12 pm

Patience

Veteran

Yay! Mostly for the pool– I try to get one every year.

February 12, 2011 at 9:00 pm

Lisa

Veteran

I really like this look both for the sun protection benefits and the overall style is nice. Unfortunately I find shorter brims work better for me so I will pass on this unless it’s for the beach.

February 13, 2011 at 7:07 pm

Cecilia

I love the look, but I feel that on me it looks too “bag lady”

February 24, 2011 at 6:13 pm

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