"". 5 Over 50 Challenge: Hats | Is This Mutton?

Fashion for the over 50s with books and beauty

Search This Blog

Monday 2 October 2017

5 Over 50 Challenge: Hats

Gail Hanlon in burgundy fedora hat and mixing red with burgundy
When I set the "A Woman Wears Many Hats" challenge, I had no idea it would be so unpopular. The ladies have not been keen, so I can't wait to see what they've pulled out of the bag, hat-wise.

I love hats and wish they would come back into fashion. Look at pictures of British people in the streets in the 1930s and everyone was wearing a hat. My dear Grandma (below) always wore one, and my abiding memory is of her coming round the corner from the bus stop, waving cheerfully and wearing a neat little felt hat with feather.
Britons in the 1930s always wore hats, as Kathleen Lovis from Plymouth shows
I've seen a lot of bloggers wearing red and burgundy together, and it's grown on me, so I decided to pair the two colours for this outfit. It was a great opportunity to wear my stunning new red ankle boots and the hat and gloves I bought several weeks ago in the sale.

The velvet jacket was thrifted, and is quite old because it has the "St Michael" label for Marks and Spencer which they haven't used for probably 20 odd years. The hat, which is a bit like a huge flying saucer, came from Next. I've bought several hats from Next in their online sale, which is also where the leather gloves came from.
Hats look great with tailored outfits like this velvet jacket and trumpet hem skirt
I always think hats look better with tailoring and a sharp silhouette, so I belted the jacket and added a black skirt with a trumpet hem, which I last wore here. Finally, the two brooches are really for Remembrance Day (Poppy Day) but I buy a different one each year and think they look nice as jewellery all year round. But it's coming up to that time anyway. Sorry if you didn't want that reminder!


Gail Hanlon wears a burgundy fedora in the October 2017 hat challenge at Is This Mutton

The 5 Over 50 Hat Challenge, Oct 2017, and Is This Mutton is wearing a Next burgundy fedora
Outfit details:  jacket, thrifted; hat, Next (similar); leather gloves, Next;  red multi Clara microfibre ankle boots, Lotus Shoes; trumpet hem midi skirt, now reduced, Jane Norman;  brooches, The Poppy Shop; red top, Tesco (last season); belt, Asos.

Now let's see how my reluctant cohorts got on with the hat challenge!

Jacqui at Mummabstylish has a very similar hat to mine - great minds! And I think the pattern mixing is working beautifully.
Hats go well with any outfit including this daytime chic look from Mummabstylish blogger Jacqui

Anna Parkes from Annas Island Style in cute trilby for the 5 Over 50 Challenge Hats
 Anna from Anna's Island Style wows us not only with a hat (a thrifted bargain!) but a sea view and a painting from her gallery which cleverly continues the infinity ocean. Love Anna's quirky style.
Looking on trend in red coat and bespoke hat, Hilda from Irish style blog Over the Hilda
Hilda from Over The Hilda is wearing a gorgeous hat from milliner Anthony Peto. Every detail of her outfit is so chic and well put together.
A vintage jumpsuit is the perfect accompaniment to a jaunty hat for Laurie Bronze over 40s blogger
There's a lovely story behind the sumptuous jumpsuit that Laurie, from Vanityandme, is wearing. She admits she doesn't like hats but I think she's done well!

If you'd like to see the other challenges faced so far by the five intrepid over-50 bloggers, check out our Pinterest board.

Sharing this post with Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb, Patti at Not Dead Yet Style, Fake It Until You Make It at Fake Fabulous, Creative Mondays at Claire Justine, Emma at Stylesplash, Jess at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish,  Hat Attack at Style Crone,  2nd Loved 1st Friday at Meadow Tree Style, Fabulous Friday at A Pocketful of Polka Dots, and Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style

Are you Muttoned Up?


Don't miss a post -  follow my blog on Bloglovin or Feedspot (where Is This Mutton? is in the top 30 fashion blogs for the over-40s). You'll love "handbag of the day" on the Is This Mutton? Facebook page. And check out the Is This Mutton? Pinterest boards, including boards on other bloggers in fab outfits plus beauty, jewellery, hairstyles and fashion picks. Is This Mutton? is also on Twitter.  
SHARE:

14 comments

  1. I have to agree! I didn't like this challenge! But that's what it's all about I guess. A challenge! You carry it off like you wear hats all the time Gail. I love the velvet too xx
    www.vanityandmestyle.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what I'm finding fun about the challenges - it forces you to break out of your comfort zone. I think we'll all be looking forward to the next one!

      Delete
  2. Wonderful look, Gail - the hat is a perfect topper for your outfit. Love the red boots too. Thanks for linking up, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love hats...but only recently have I been wearing them. I used to have a room full of my grandma's hats which we only wore to "tea" or such. But now they are a fabulous accessory!!
    Love your hat, Gail!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've also started wearing hats only recently. I think it's a confidence thing. If you love hats, why not?

      Delete
  4. You look utterly fabulous in this ensemble today and the hat just tops the whole thing off beautifully. It was good to have this challenge - we all need to be pushed out of our comfort zones sometimes!

    Have a great week.
    Anna x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what I enjoy most about the challenges- being forced to leave comfort zone! Thanks for your kind words.

      Delete
  5. Fell in love with your look when I spotted you on Instagram! While you pull that gorgeous hat off beautifully, Gail, it's that rich, jewel-tone jacket that I'm really smitten with. Such a pretty color! And the velvet takes it to another level. Spectacular look!

    Mary
    http://marymurnane.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary - great that the jacket is a thrifted bargain!

      Delete
  6. Wow, stunning, what a beautiful look! I wish i looked better in hats, but i do love a 1920s clothe, yours is lovely and you know how much i love velvet, so the blazer and brooch is something i look forward to wearing too. each of the ladies looks great, such different styles!
    thanks for linking!
    jess xx
    www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like your outfit and especially the hat. That's my kinda hat! Hats make a great statement. Till recently I had a burgundy jacket also from M&S at least 20 years ago and recently passed it on to a charity shop as it didn't fit me any more. Very interesting to see what you've put it with.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love your hat outfit, Gail, it's got a touch of the 40s about it with that elegant belted jacket, skirt and boots. Goes so well with the hat. Granny looked so pretty in her hat back in the 20s.
    Hugs, x.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, you have to know that I love hats and yes there aren't very many who wear them where I live (outside knitted beanies for winter). I think it's great that you made everyone think about their head-ware. Bravo! I am so happy that you linked it up to Judith's Hat Attack. I saw it when I linked up my big brown hat this month.

    ReplyDelete

Blog Design Created by pipdig