Hats are a large part of any woman's wardrobe. Not only are they functional but the hat is great to provide protection from harsh weather. Most formal outfits will be greatly accented by dressy hats, adding a certain style that may have been otherwise lacking. For an evening out on the town you should think about wearing a hat as both a fashion statement and cover from wind or rain.

The big floppy hats were always my favorite; perhaps because by the back door, Mama always kept her gardening shoes, gloves and her big floppy hat handy. She would adorn herself with these tools whenever she worked in the garden. Her hat had a big, cream-colored sash that slid through the top of the hat to keep it on her head and she tied it under her chin in a big bow. Mama had lovely, big brown eyes that always seem to know what I was up to. Whether it's an elegant tiara, fancy headdress, a red velvet vintage hat or stylish beret, we feel acutely feminine with a striking covering over our heads.

Most hats look best if they are tilted at an angle. Fedoras should be angled down towards the eyes while sun hats look best on the back of the head. A beret takes on a jaunty air when you give it a tilt towards the side. If the hat you like just doesn't look quite right, try giving it a tilt in one direction or another. Personalize Your Hat

Cowboy hats have also become a favourite accessory of American presidents during election periods, including Roosevelt, Hoover, Ford, Reagan and President Bush, and have even been adopted by the law-enforcement agency the Texas Rangers as part of their uniform. They have even made an appearance in US TV shows, most prominently worn by the famous cowboy and crime fighting TV star, the Lone Ranger, who sported a white cowboy hat throughout his TV series.

At the same time the authorities at Cuenca, 2,550 meters high in the Andean province of Azuay, opened a hat factory and later a workshop for training in an attempt to alleviate economic problems. The authorities made apprenticeship compulsory throughout the region with the threat of prison for those who refused. The industry in Cuenca developed quickly and utilised modern methods and organisation which led to it slowly outstripping the more traditional producers in the Manabi region.

Now let me be honest with you. I love hats. I think that the right hat on the right lady is very elegant. My mother was always stunning when she put on her hat for church. But when you are choosing a hat for church you should also consider the other people that will be sitting around you in church. It is a distraction to sit beside or behind a lady with a tall hat or wide brim hat on. It can be irritating when you go to church but you can't see the person up front because the lady's hat in front of you, was blocking your view. Although your hat is very pretty, please consider the other people that are sitting around you. If you must wear a large hat please be kind enough to sit in a section that will allow your sister or brother in Christ to enjoy the service as well and not be distracted by your lovely hat.

The bonnet was the mainstay of women's headwear up until the mid 19th century. Around the 1850s, these hats became seen more as something worn by older women, and other styles became popular. These include the tiny hats of the 1880s, and the boater of the 1890s, developed from sport styles. This latter development was important, since it was the first time that women's sporting wear had influenced mainstream fashion. Hats of the Edwardian era became enormous, and sometimes sported whole flower arrangements or birds.

While protection is indeed one of the main uses of hats, there are also a lot of hats used for aesthetic and symbolic purposes. For instance, in the olden Roman days, newly freed slaves wore the Phrygian cap to demonstrate their new social status. Religious officials also wore different kinds of hats denoting their position in the church. In the same way, some political leaders also donned headwear to show their authority.