I don’t understand why we don’t wear hats anymore. Yeah, it’s the cause of hat hair, but think of the infinite benefits wearing a hat would bring. Protection from UV rays, shade from heat, and a summer accessory that would allow you to stand out from everybody else.

San Diego Hat Company Ultrabraid X-large contrast brim hat.

San Diego Hat Company makes the most interesting hats that are structured differently than your average hat. This Ultrabraid X-Large Contrast Brim Hat has a 10-inch brim with an adjustable sizing tie. It’s black with a lovely white trim, elevating it above wide brim hats you can find at any department store. The black and white color makes it a classy and chic accessory for your summer dress or even a polished, modern outfit. Very reminiscent of My Fair Lady without the gaudiness.

A timeless look.

When I went to Hawaii a couple months ago, I lived in my hat.

Here’s what I envisioned: A holiday chic look, lounging by an infinity pool or scouring a local handicraft market, with oversized Alexander Wang sunglasses adding an air of mystery and Chanel Le Vernis in Jade on the toenails.

After looking at the photos, here’s what actually was: Pale, pasty, practically all vision obscured by my blah-colored hat. You couldn’t tell from the photos whether I was 36 or 63.

Lesson learned. Next time, I’m going with San Diego Hat Company paper braid hat with extra large brim. The happy, sunny hue alone is enough to liven up any holiday chic look.

San Diego paper braid X-L brim hat.

That, and some serious self-tanner.

It seems like just yesterday when we had Audrey Magazine‘s fifth anniversary cover shoot with Vietnamese American model Isabelle. (Scroll down to see the results!)

Arturo Rios "Gisel" headpiece.

For the shoot, we used milliner Arturo Rios’ fantastical creations for our birthday suit celebration theme. Our photo editor at the time, Charlize Lin, snapped the amazing shots.

Only a few months later, Charlize got married in a dreamy, crystal forest-themed fantasy. And perhaps she was inspired by our shoot, but for the obligatory Chinese wedding three-outfit change, Charlize donned different headwear worthy of any Sex and the City wedding.

It’s a trend in bridalwear that I wholeheartedly embrace (if I had to do it over …). With more and more wearable, dance-in-it-able, beach-wedding worthy dresses making news, why not let a fantastical head piece take center stage? Any of Arturo Rios’ pieces can be redone in your color of choice.

Audrey Magazine's cover spread, April/May 2008

Shop Arturo Rios now at AudreyShops.