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HEAD FOR THE HAT STAND

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By CLOE CABRERA ccabrera@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 14, 2008

Style alert: Hats are back!

Next time you're out, just take a quick look around. Hats are everywhere and can be worn by anyone.

"A hat can change your outfit and give you different personas," says Willie Mae Burney, 71, owner of B' Elegant Hat Shop in East Tampa.

Her store carries all the season's popular styles from newsboy caps to floppy hats.

Right now, though, nothing is as fierce as the fedora - for men and women.

Fedoras are typically made of felt, with a curled brim that is creased down the length of the hat.

What sets it apart for women is a decorative band, a bow or some other trim that gives it a feminine edge, Burney says.

Want to look cool and sophisticated? Get a fedora. Hip and chic? Same hat. Looking for a little drama? Tilt it to the side.

"A fedora is a stylish and functional accessory that blurs the line between masculine and feminine," says David Hacker, vice president of trend and color for Kohl's Department Stores. "They are versatile and can be worn by anyone a number of ways - flipped up, down or cocked to a particular side - making it a bold yet classic accessory choice."

Hats are hot because of influences from fashion, music and film, Hacker says. From Alicia Keys in a fedora to Kim Cattrall (SATC's Samantha Jones) in a sexy floppy hat, fashionistas have noticed and copied.

Use your noggin when it comes to choosing the perfect hat. Look for one that suits your personality, your face and frames your features, Burney says. Also, take the size of your head and body shape into consideration.

If you're petite, choose a hat with a small brim and low crown; large or wide hats can overpower a small frame. Tall gals can get away with virtually any hat, but they should avoid narrow, angular styles.

"A hat is like any accessory," Burney says. "It can change your entire look, or just add something to it. The beauty of hats is that there's a style for everyone."

And if you're worried about getting the dreaded hat head, Burney says, here's a tip: "Put the hat on from back to front, so that you don't create tension on the front of your head. Your hair won't go flat."

Reporter Cloe Cabrera, who loves berets and big hats with low brims, can be reached at (813) 259-7656. Step to the blog at TBO.com, Keyword: Hot Pursuits, to see more popular hat styles.

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