How to wear a floppy wide brim hat and not look like a pimp

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How to wear a floppy wide brim hat and not look like a pimp

Statement making BoHo wide brim hats have continued to be a major fashionista statement this season.

It’s a fashion trend that’s just as tricky to pull off as the other biggie, faux fur vests, and can have as many, if not more, catastrophic style results. Not worn the right way, what is meant to look dramatic and chic ends up looking like the wearer is channeling a 70′s gangster pimp character. Just look at KK and –albeit a favorite movie score– force yourself not to hum a tune from Superfly.

Ranging from wide brim, gaucho to BoHo floppy with portrait shape thrown in for good measure, there are a few basic style guidelines to consider when trying to pull off a wide brim hat with real style.

The Eugenia Kim Honey Wide Brim Boho Floppy Hat is 70% off at press time!

Contrary to the uniform of a certain Hollywood stylist, a big hat should be the focal point of your outfit and not compete with too much hair, glasses or the aforementioned fur vest. What works as someone’s signature look doesn’t necessarily translate when it gives you the look of a copycat clone.

Although all beige, Paris Hilton has far too many things going on that compete with her floppy hat.

If you do wear your hair down, keep it easy, undone, and natural looking as to not compete with your topper.

By Malene Birger Elliso Hat from ShopBop is styled effortlessly and offhanded, as it should

How to get a large hat right:

The hat should sit squarely on your head and just about cover your forehead.
Avoid the 80′s mall rat look of having your hat sit too far back on the crown of your head.
Your hat should not look like an afterthought and work in balance with the rest of your outfit.
If you’re unsure, take it off. There is nothing worse than not feeling confident in something this so full of personality.

SHOP some of these pretty wide brim hats…

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Photos: Zara, focusonstyle.onsugar, shopbop

Published on January 19, 2012

Sharon Haver

Resident fashion expert- With just about 20 years experience in the glamour industry as a New York-based photography fashion stylist, syndicated columnist, contributing editor, lecturer, on-air television/radio fashion expert, and founder / editor in chief of FocusOnStyle.com. Sharon Haver knows the modern-thinking woman wants easygoing style that suits her individual needs, spiced with just the right amount of flip and wit to make it personal.

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Tags: big hat , big hat pimp hat , floppy hat , gaucho hat , hats , how to wear , millinery , portrait hat , STYLIST ADVICE , wide brim hat , Zara