If you love the idea of adding vintage elements to an outfit without looking dated you may want to consider using accessories instead of clothing pieces themselves. Adding touches such as vintage hats can be a great way to get an outfit that has the feel of a bygone era without going overboard. Here are some tips that you can use to ensure the hat you choose looks great and gives you the feel you are looking for.

Hats have been popular for hundreds of years. In the past, they were a way of making a social statement as well as being a fashion accessory. Today, in many societies, people still will not attend certain sporting or social events without covering their heads and often will pay hundreds of dollars for custom made versions that have been designed by milliners.

If you want to concentrate your collection on authentic pieces and not reproductions you may need to do a bit of hunting. Good places to find hats are thrift shops, second hand stores and even estate sales. Some pieces may come up for auction as well. Be prepared however to pay more for a hat than you would pay for other types of vintage pieces. It is not uncommon for individuals to spend years slowly building a collection of vintage toppers.

When you do decide to wear a piece it is important to think about what the weather will be like. There are different options that are better suited to specific seasons. Classic straw pieces will usually look best when the weather is warmer. This is because they were designed to keep sun off of the wearer's face while allowing heat to escape.

You should also think about how to balance your outfit as well. Clearly, you want to make sure that your headpiece is the center of attention. Choosing an understated outfit to wear with it can really give you the balanced look you are going for. You may be tempted to mix in other accessories as well but unless they are from the same time period as your hat you may find that your overall appearance isn't quite what you hoped it would be.

The kind of event that you will be at or the kind of outing you are participating in will also affect what you wear on your head. For example, a wedding would call for a different choice of hat than a trail ride or sporting event would. Some high-end horse races or social events centered around sports will also call for a very formal hat as well. This rule applies to men as equally as it applies to women.

Caring for your piece properly is the key to ensuring it will look good for years. Some materials can become brittle or easily damaged. You want to make sure that you do not store cloth versions in areas where they are exposed to sunlight as this can cause them to fade. Fur options may need special handling to prevent moths from being attracted to, and damaging, them.

When you wear your vintage piece, do not be surprised if people stop you to comment on your choice. Often, classic or antique pieces are not seen on a regular basis and people may be curious where you purchased it and what the story behind it is. No matter what, wear your chosen piece with pride and hold your head up high.