I Wore a Church Hat, Now What?

Growing up in church, church hats have long been a tradition that may have its roots based on a biblical passage in I Corinthians 11:5. I remember seeing a sea of shapes adorned on top of women's head.   I admired their style, their grace, their elegance, their creativity, and their boldness to wear a hat so large that no-one two pews back could see!

So in 2014 I decided to wear a hat every First Sunday of the month.  I wanted to be fashionable like the women I admired.  I did have some apprehension. From my recollection most of the women who wore hats were older.  My concern was how to wear a hat and not look matronly.  I am full figured; plus size; pleasantly plump; somewhat thicker than a snicker; fat, or whatever you call carrying a little extra weight, and wearing a suit that matches a hat just screamed "Mother of the Church". The key was going to be to find the right hat that I could integrate into my current wardrobe. So the hunt for hats and inspiration began.

While searching I realized that many women across the pond, such as the Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton continue to wear hats, not only to church, but to formal events.  I fell in love with so many milliners, but quickly realized that I wasn't prepared to have a car payment on my head for a two hour display once a month.  To quote Kevin Hart, "...See the way my bank account is set up."

Over time I found a some places locally, a few friends gifted me vintage and new hats, I crafted a couple hats, and I shopped online.

Below are my looks for the 2014.

So I wore a church hat, now what?

My goal was to commit.  Throughout the year several friends participated in my First Sunday Hat Show.  Friends held me accountable with anticipation of the First Sunday.  The above pictures were not taken in extravagant places by famed photographers, they were simply Selfie Sundays with a cellphone charting my efforts.

I realized that wearing a hat each month in an attempt to be fashionable didn't really change my sense of style.  I didn't morph into those ladies I grew up admiring by wearing a hat. So I wore a church hat, now what?

I was asked what my theme for 2015 was going to be.  I responded by saying to be more ladylike.  Many reassured me that I am already a lady. Although flattering to know that others perceive me as ladylike, I explain being ladylike is more than clothing and wealth.  It is a lifestyle of commitment and growth.   

This blog is my attempt to make a smudge on this planet.  My attempt to chart my efforts of being a lady.  I am not an English major, an effort will be made to fix grammatical errors, but there will be mistakes ( I am sure there are mistakes in this sentence).  There will be simple pictures taken with a cellphone.  Simple topics, because I am simply learning.

We live in a time of confusion, even though information is more accessible than ever before.  In the era of Bad Bish, Video Vixens, THOTS, Bosses, and Ratchetness, many wonder do women know how to be even be ladies anymore.  My friends this blog is my plight at growth. I hope to inspire someone to be the woman I am growing into, a Decorous Lady.