5Over50 do hats!

Hello and apologies for the radio silence over the past few days, but life has been hectic. However, here we go with this month's challenge, chosen by Gail, creator of the 5 Over 50 group and I must admit that a challenge is indeed what it was for me! I don't have a #hatface so this is the best I could do -


I've used the ploy of a stunning background to distract from what I feel may not be the best of styling for this challenge. But let's gloss over that and see how my companions tackled the subject of Hats.


Jacqui borrowed this floppy 60's style hat and golly, doesn't it suit her! The look somehow reminds me of Mary Quant - before your time? Oh dear! Pop over to see more on Mummabstylish here. Great pattern play, by the way, Jacqui!


Laurie, like me, admitted that hats weren't her favourite topic, but see how her outfit belies that. I love the orange and gold hues together. See more on Vanity and Me Style here.


Gail did in fact name this challenge "A woman wears many hats" and she certainly carries hers off with true panache. All of these berry colours suit her skin tone so well. Read Gail's account on Is This Mutton.


Hilda is sporting the most beautiful of Fedoras in a giraffe print. Much as it's way over my budget, she happily paid... well you'll have to pop over to her blog Over The Hilda to find out exactly how much. But I have to agree with her that it was a great investment - she looks pretty sharp, don't you think?


Unlike Hilda, I knew that I wouldn't really have cause to wear a hat again, opting instead to pick this bowler up in a charity shop for a few quid. By the time I got it home, however, I realised that I had no idea what to wear with it. I didn't want to go with the tweed and brogues idea that first came to mind as I felt it would be overly masculine. 


But a bowler is none-the-less a masculine item so I took that as my lead when choosing this shirt and tie combination (both pre-loved too). The slim cut trousers are from Boden - yes androgynous and yet the colour adds a feminine touch to the look. 


By adding these metallic pumps I've injected a splash of the playful, fun look that feels so very much my style. These were a snip last month from Primark at only £3. I like the texture of the trousers against the shine of the shoes.


The jacket is a corduroy H&M number from a few years ago. I read in a magazine this month that velvet and corduroy are big this season, meaning it was time for me to drag this out of storage. Keep something for long enough and it'll come back into fashion!


Brooch and rings are all charity shop finds. 


Not #hatface, but #happyface here once the shoot is over. I must give a mention to the huge outdoor painting that's shown here. It's of the view over Old Grimsby, painted by local artist Richard Pearce who has a beachside studio and gallery on the nearby island of Bryher.

Linking with -
Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb
Samantha of Fake Fabulous
Judith of Style Crone

Anna x

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23 comments

  1. A fab piece Anna, and I do love your look. Isn't it funny how you either suit hats or not. I think you do. I love wearing hats, but hate having hat hair! Jacqui
    www.mummabstylish.com

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    1. These challenges are always fun Jacqui regardless of our own personal likes - that's the whole point isn't it? I do think that hat hair is what's probably stopped me from trying out more hats. Food for thought, eh?

      Anna x

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  2. You did a good job with a tough challenge, Anna! It's hard when you're just not a hat person! I love these great trousers. Lovely looks on all the ladies!

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    1. I reckon I just need to try out more styles and I might just find something that inspires me more. Jacqui's right about hat hair - I think that's put me off too.

      Have a great week!
      Anna x

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  3. What a fun look, Anna! For someone who doesn't wear hats, you pulled yours off with panache. Love the bright turquoise textured pants! Enjoyed this challenge!

    Mary
    http://marymurnane.com

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    1. Thanks so much Mary! These trousers are favourites of mine - I planned to pack them away with my summer clothes, but thought I could spin them out for a few weeks longer and was right.

      Have a lovely week!
      Anna x

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  4. I do think you could totally make this a fun accessory for many outfits to come!! You always have such a great style, and enjoy what you're wearing!!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Thanks Jodie. I do think I'll give the hat another spin, but have no idea what with as yet, so watch this space! Dressing up should be fun and I think you seem to have the same mindset as me.

      Anna x

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  5. The bowler creates a fun and cheeky look and your choice of summer-sea colours fits beautifully with both the stunning backdrop and the equally stunning painting. Well done. And hope you had pleasant celebrations tonight! Hugs, x.

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    1. Thanks so much Mary. I do think this came across as more "Artful Dodger" than I'd have wished, but hey ho! My anniversary improved as the day went on with a lovely romantic picnic in the afternoon. We took our boat to Tean and chilled out for a few hours on the beach - bliss!

      Hugs to you too!
      Anna x

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  6. I just bought a floral tie! I think I may like yours a little better but I'm looking forward to wearing mine! I like everything about your outfit except the hat Anna (sorry). It seems that the hat is a bit small for you? Not sure but everything e!se is really cute! Lots of cool pattern and texture and the shoes are really fun! I

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    1. Thanks Jude! My floral tie cost me 50p in a charity shop which seemed like a great bargain - what about yours? The hat does fit, but I pushed it to the back of my head as it really didn't suit me sitting squarely on top. I just don't think I've got the right features for a hat - my nose is a bit big!

      Wishing you a great week!
      Anna x

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  7. Oh, hats certainly do do something to an outfit! I loved everyone's looks.
    Your Boden trousers are fab!

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    1. You're right Veronica - hats are proper statement pieces, but I'm not sure what this one said about me!

      Have a good week x
      Anna

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  8. Hard wasn't it? I don't have a hat face either. Like you say small face = not hats to suit! Plus hat hair! I think you rose to the challenge very well xx Ps. On a huge catch up session too!
    www.vanityandmestyle.com

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    1. Yes, it was a real challenge to pull this one off Laurie. Hope we all enjoy next month's a bit better. Like you, I'm trying to catch up with everyone tonight as well.

      Anna x

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  9. I like the Boden trousers. In Bolivia and Peru the women wear bowler hats, central for married to the side for single or widowed.
    I like Gail's 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.
    Tessa xx

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    1. You can't really go wrong with a pair of Boden trousers can you? I've seen those women in their bowler hats and they all look great don't you think. I have to agree with you that Gail's outfit is spot on.

      Anna x

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  10. Hats , can be a challenge , it takes trying on many shapes to see which really is you. I guess I am a little biased as I love hats , everyone looks great in their choices.I see a touch of the dandy in your outfit.

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    1. Thanks for your encouraging words Jill. I suppose I don't really try hats on very often and maybe that's the answer to finding what suits best. I like the "Dandy" observation, quite true.

      Anna x

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  11. I like particularly those turquoise-blues colors and your cool tie!, your accessorizing is pretty cool indeed! love the mixed prints and the different textures!
    It was a lovely idea to add those sneakers!
    besos

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    1. Thanks for that Monica. I worked hard with all the accessories to try to cover up the fact that the hat just felt so alien to me. I really ought to try to find a few more hats to get more comfortable with them.

      Anna x

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  12. I don’t have a hat face either, much as I love hats on others. I have a long narrow face and a biggish head. I do find a Western cowboy type hat or an Aussie hat works for me.
    Love your outfit and I think the hat is cute. We are too critical of ourselves.

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