DIY: Dollar Store Hat Challenge

This is truly the season for hats.  Our first taste of the hat trend came during the spring 2011 fashion shows.Designers like Tracy Reese and Marc Jacobs pulled out the 70s style floppy hat for inspiration.  

 And then came that Wedding. You know the one everyone woke up at 4:00am to watch.Yes, Kate Middleton looked gorgeous in her dress but my eyes were glued to the hats of the guests. Toppers Fascinators as they call them.  (thanks Jamiel and MamaViolet AK for teaching me the official name) Simply fabulous.  


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 Then this weekend was the Kentucky Derby, in my city Louisville, KY. Hats, Hats and more hats! It seemed the unofficial theme was "go big or go home" because the hats were huge this year.    

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 All of these hats and styles are high on the style scale and I'm pretty sure the price tag is just as high.Getting the right statement hat should not make you break the bank. After all, many of these hats are only worn one day or time of the year.  In the mist of all the Derby activities i managed to stop into the dollar store on a mission to DiY a statement hat. I had absolutely no clue what style i would create. maybe a floppy runway hat, maybe a cute little topper. maybe a big and beautiful derby hat.one thing i did know- my budget of $10. here's what i grabbed:  

 1. faux rose petals2. a plastic coconut bikini top3. a toy net4. hair clamps5. silver ribbon6. a craft book with sequin and rhinestonesTotal $6 What I have in mind: A cute little pink Fascinator  

• My base for the topper is the bikini top. It's already in the shape and sturdy enough.
• I covered it with the pink rose petals.

 

   

• I cute the edges off the hanging petals and
• Then added unique layered ruffles with the silver ribbon and a veil with the toy net.

 

  

• Then i took the silver sequin from the craft book and placed it all around the veil and silver ruffles.
•  lastly I broke one of the hair clips and glued the comb to the inside of the hat to make the hat secure. 

here's what i came up with:  

 

also tried a little lipstick....still deciding whether to really wear it :-)

   I didn't go to the Oaks race, which is a day before the Kentucky Derby, but this is definitely what i would have rocked if i went. The style scene at the track is ultra feminine so this Polka Dot on Polka Dot outfit would have fit right in. Why the pink accents? For every person wearing pink to The Oaks $1 is donated to the Susan G Komen Foundation (an organization focused on breast cancer awareness). I'm always in with fashion for a cause. How do you feel about the hat trend?Have you rocked a hat lately?  Find AA on Facebook ** Follow AA on Twitter ** Shop Avid Accents Vintage

Thanks for stopping by

~L~