Come see hats, hats, and more great hats!! Please comment and let me know your favorite
Last week on May 7th, I had the pleasure of attending the 26th annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon. Frederick Law Olmsted, the famous American landscape designer and the father of American landscape architecture, designed many renowned urban parks, including the very magnificent Central Park in NYC. The luncheon was held at the lovely Central Park Conservancy, and my dear friend, and landscape designer, Memrie Lewis is a member of the benefit committee. Memrie is pleased to report that more than 2.4 million dollars was raised that day, which will be used to help keep Central Park the glorious haven that it is. Hosted by The Women's Committee, the luncheon was so much fun. Hats were optional, but come take a look - it was a hat extravaganza!!
These gardens, restored by Lyndon Miller, are spacious and verdant, planted with lovely cherries, boxwood, taxus, azaleas, tulips, perennials, and other cultivators. I visited the park the day before the luncheon to see the gardens before the crowds converged - the tents were just being erected over the great lawn.
Wide bluestone paths, taxus (yew shrubs), and apples give a stately architecture to the gardens.
The most beautiful feature of the gardens is the raised pergola, situated to the west of The Great Lawn
and Fifth Avenue - parterres of boxwood, taxus, and wisteria vines. When Ralph Lauren celebrated his
fortieth anniversary in business, he held the party here in this garden - dinner was served under the
pergola.
A wonderful view of the luncheon tent and the fountain looking east towards Fifth Avenue.
Karena, my wardrobe mistress, painting the soles of my Louboutins black - I am not a fan of the signature red soles and always change the red to black - this is easy if you use a broad sharpie.
I barely recognized my banker, Jane Heller and my publicist, Susan Magrino. They certainly look more like ladies who lunch than the hard working business ladies they really are. Their hats were made by Suzanne on East 61st Street.
I barely recognize myself - dressed in creamy white Marni and a Suzanne striped hat - I fit right in with
the crowd.
The first of many extraordinary “Chapeaux†that were worn to the luncheon. Once called “coolie†hats, this shapes is now more politically correct with the name “pagoda.â€
Some ladies wore their favorite hats from the past - some wore just nicely coiffed hair - others had new
expensive hats from the world's finest coutouriers.
brown straw
golden straw
A man!!! In a hat, no less.
a veritable garden in a brim
a better view of the roses and sweet peas
elegant, classic black and white
a wide brim with “cabbage†roses
a sea of hats of all styles!
Artificial flowers are used on the brims and sometimes under the brims - here, huge cabbage roses.
More hats and lots and lots of cameras - Jane and her friends are right in the center
Before the lunch everyone was able to approve or disapprove of the hats and the spring dresses and suits -
the weather was warm and sunny so everyone was comfortable in short sleeves and no coats.
A silly top hat bedecked with chrysanthemums and striped ribbons.
Memrie Lewis in conservative black with tulle and her friend, Tara Rockefeller, in wide brimmed white
with striped French ribbon.
A down-turned straw brim and a crown surrounded with very lovely silk flowers.
Suzanne, herself, with a small, extraordinary hat of straw, netting, and feathers.
Brin in a bright orange Suzanne, embellished with hot pink - she actually bought her hat before the dress.
Another one of Jane's guests in white with black and white ostrich feathers.
Trin in pale blue-gray straw with delicate straw decoration - a perfect match for her Chanel suit.
One of Jane's young friends in a classic black straw.
Joann in a confection of net
This was one of the most elegant outfits at the lunch - I think it was Ralph Rucci.
The only long coat we saw that day - white linen with a feathered hat.
These two elegant ladies both bought the same dress and coat at Carolina Herrera - only the hats were
different! Of course they joked about the coincidence.
white netting on delicate white straw
more feathers on black straw
looks like raffia on a “pagoda†shaped base
Strapless dresses were not uncommon - nor were low cut dresses - odd for a New York luncheon, but nice.
Blaine Trump in a flowered wide brimmed hat.
leopard printed straw
simple, like an easter hat
fine straw with lots of big flowers
plain and very elegant
a very pretty face under a very pretty hat
another very pretty face under an equally attractive, small hat
orange feathers and straw
tailored and chic
Decollete with hat and sunglasses
My friend, Amy Goldman in a pretty red hat - everyone at her table looked wonderful.
Elegant black straw - very well-made.
white straw with black and white feathers
Jane's hat was very well made and went well with her black and white Italian suit-dress.
Two of Jane's guests in really beautiful hats.
Jane and her friend, Dorothy Bandier.
Jane and I!
One of my favorite hats - made by a French designer - colorful and fanciful.
A great big pink straw hat with real peonies and feathers.
Two very lively tables - hosted by journalist Deborah Roberts, Al Roker's wife (in yellow).
Mayor Bloomberg made a short but very flattering speech - congratulating The Ladies Committee who
raised more than 2 million dollars for the park.
my hat in black and white
Prudence in red - she looked gorgeous.
very sexy and old fashioned
a pretty hat
feathers?
one of the undulating hedges in the garden
Four charming interns who helped at the luncheon - they all work for The Conservancy.
a printed straw hat
The very prettiest lady at the lunch, I thought.
Joann up close - what an elegant hat!
My favorite hat of the day - colorful, pretty, fanciful, well-made, and very very attractive.
gorgeous flowers and woven straw
I loved this hat, too.
Silly but made a point - Sheep Meadow, Central Park.
very pretty
very pretty too
Very sexy - looks a bit out of place in Central Park - maybe better in Paris?
very chic
A photographer, happy to be shot himself.
wow!
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Amazing 'smörgåsbord' of hats! I think some people look good in hats, others so-so! Most looked lovely, you too Martha! Love the ones with the real flowers and the lady all dressed in white with the feather hat looked angelic. Thanks for showing us all the adorned heads!
Posted by: Dianne | May 14th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Martha:
It looks like you had great fun! It was nice of your friend, Jane Heller, to invite you and the others.
Frederick Law Olmsted was a very talented landscape architect. He was also responsible for the design of some of the gardens at my Alma Mater, Vassar, where I had the privilege of enjoying his work on a daily basis.
I believe he also did some work in Tuxedo Park in Orange County NY (my neck of the woods) where I have some family--talk about natural beauty. You really should see it some time.
The fancy hats were interesting, but I actually believe that understatement is the way to go. "Hats off" to you and your friends on your tasteful choices!
Joseph Brennan
Posted by: Joseph Brennan | May 14th, 2008 at 12:44 am
This past Saturday, in Nashville, Tennessee, the Iroquois Steeplechase was held at Percy Warner Park. This is an event where the women wear hats. I have a hat for this occasion, but have not worn it as of yet to this event. I like hats and wish we were more determined to include them in our wardrobe. However, I think some of them deserve to maybe be used to serve the horses a meal or two. Nan
Posted by: Nan Ashby | May 14th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Hi, Martha,
Thanks for the peek at the myriad of hats---indeed, an extravaganza! I liked yours best, elegant and beautiful.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | May 14th, 2008 at 1:08 am
I adore the first black and white hat, as well as the one topped with cabbage roses!
Posted by: Gretchen | May 14th, 2008 at 1:21 am
Extravaganza is a good word; what an amazing sight! Everyone looked smashing including you and Jane but what happened to the hat you had on the show? Was that for another occasion? Thanks for so many great picutures! Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 14th, 2008 at 1:25 am
So many great hats! If I must choose only one it would be the one titled plain and elegant.
I really enjoyed seeing all the great photos.
Thanks
Posted by: Tammy Inman | May 14th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Oh...lovely! I'd have to vote for the Very Sexy and Old Fashioned in black...as it's exactly what I'd want to wear if ever our little island had an event for it!
Posted by: Isle Dance | May 14th, 2008 at 3:43 am
I just feel so bad for your wardrobe assistant because you make her sit there and color the BOTTOMS of your shoes...a bit ridiculous, no? No one sees the bottoms of your shoes; I have about 10 or 15 pairs of Christian Louboutin's and with 1 or 2 wears, the bottoms get scuffed-up and you can hardly see the red anymore anyway!
I am a huge fan, and I respect and adore you...but that (having someone actually "sit" and take time to color the bottoms of your shoes) is a bit much and not very respectable or gracious AT ALL. I can't imagine deep down that Karena actually is happy and feels good about having to do such a degrading task!
Posted by: Danielle | May 14th, 2008 at 3:47 am
How wonderful!! What fun you must have had with all the beautiful hats. It looked as everyone was having a wonderful time. It's so nice of you to share these exciting events of your life. Thank you.
Posted by: Georganne Lynch | May 14th, 2008 at 3:48 am
That's alot of hatttttttttttttts woow so many nice ones. I would say my favorite is the classic black straw hat. Thanks for showing all those hatsssssssssss.
Posted by: Laurie Ivanchuk{Ukraine} | May 14th, 2008 at 4:36 am
Martha,
I was hoping you'd take pictures at the Conservancy Luncheon. Thanks to all of the ladies who gave us a peek at their hats/outfits.
Saw your hat unveiled on your show--the light tan one with the straw ribbon and small adornment. Must admit--liked the hat shown on your program rather than the hat you chose to wear. Understandably, the stripes in the the hat you wore are more in keeping with your wardrobe choice than the original hat you had unveiled. Speaking of wardrobe, I notice your shoes on each program and I have been looking for the "signature" red sole of a particular shoe maker. You're so clever to "eliminate" the red soles; nothing to distract from your particular style.
Cathy
Posted by: Cathy | May 14th, 2008 at 4:40 am
I liked tailored and chic.
Um Martha I doubt you will ever " Just BLEND IN" I noticed folks in the background(some guys) are watching you gals when you are getting your pix taken, you can bet they were whispering" That's Martha"
Enjoyed the hat segment on The Martha Show nice to see the follow up photos from the actual event.
Now how about the votes on those mini cattle what did you end up naming them???
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam from California | May 14th, 2008 at 4:52 am
I just love Decollete´s Loooooovely green hat.
Posted by: Ulrika Skog | May 14th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Susan Magrino's hat is very elegant. I also love the simple black straw hat with the bow. Small hats are fashionable, but they don't look good on me. And the pagoda-hats are great! Love this post, because I love hats.
Posted by: Evelyn | May 14th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Martha:
Wow!! Hats galore. So many beautiful and some crazy hats!! I love them. It's a little hard to choose as all of them make a pretty statement, even the one with grass and sheeps on it. But if I was going to wear one it would be sleek and elegant straw hat, maybe adorned with a few flowers or a ribbon. I loved your hat, so elegant. Thanks for sharing all the beautiful pictures. It was fun to look at them.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | May 14th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Hi Martha. This seems like such a wonderful, fun event! After seeing the hat making segment on your show, I feel I am better able to appreciate the hard work that was involved in the making of each hat. It is almost impossible to pick a favorite, but I am really drawn to the pink hat with peonies and feathers. Cheers!
Posted by: Noelle | May 14th, 2008 at 6:40 am
I have a 'hat face' and wish I could attend such an event. I suppose we ladies here should just have our own event so we can show off! Looks like fun and I don't blame you for so many photos--there were gobs of lovely hats! I just loved it!
Posted by: Gilda | May 14th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Lovely hats. It would be difficult to choose my favorite. I do think the pale blue gray one with the Chanel suit is particularly beautiful.
My mom, sister, niece and I visited the Biltmore House in Asheville, N.C., last week--and the grounds of that lovely estate were also designed by Frederick Law Olmstead! It was a treat to experience all the gardens there.
Posted by: Bet | May 14th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Hi Martha
I once attended the Kentucky Derby and spent more on my hat than I care to remember. I looked great but I'm not comfortable wearing a hat. You looked great but for some reason I don't see you as a hat person. I ended up giving my hat to my friend Donna and her golden retreiver thought it was a new toy - need I say more???
Ann
New Jersey
Posted by: Ann | May 14th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Thank you for the wonderful photos of a very worthy event. I had to go through your photos twice this morning because I enjoyed the hats so much and of course the lovely ladies!
I had the pleasure of seeing lots of hats a few years ago in Millinocket, Maine at the Red Hat Society meeting. The Red Hat Ladies were also flamboyant and lovely.
And Martha, I also color the bottom of my Louboutin's because I think the red is tacky.
I don't comment each day but I do enjoy viewing your blog each day.
Posted by: Gloria Brown | May 14th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Hi Martha,
I agree with you the purple hat with the multicolored flowers and matching dress is colorful and pretty. I also liked the lime green hat and dress outfit. The beige pagoda hat is really interesting. I have never seen so many hats! Thanks for sharing.
Linda
Posted by: Linda | May 14th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Martha,
I first have to say that I love that you paint the bottom of your Louboutins black! I think it's lovely that you wear the shoes because they're beautiful and not so you can flash that red sole around so everyone knows you are wearing Louboutins. What a class act.
My favorite has got to be Prudence. She looks just spectacular.
Posted by: Sadina | May 14th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Martha,
One of the most charming things about you is the fact that, although your life is so much more privledged than most of ours, you still get a kick out of the same things the rest of us do. You went to a high-society charity luncheon, and instead of posing and being seen, you snapped a load of pictures of crazy hats. You're a fun gal!!!!!
Thanks for being real,
Sally
Posted by: Sally | May 14th, 2008 at 9:07 am
It is a rainy spring morning here in Ohio, and I am trying to pull myself together to go to work. I poured myself a cup of tea while looking to see what is happening in Martha's world and WHAT do I find, BEAUTIFUL SPRING HATS. What pleasure, what joy, to pick a favorite, next to impossible. I am a hat person and own several, invite me to a function where I can wear a hat, I will be there with two, just so I could make a change or loan the other. Thanks Martha for the pick-me-up. Sandy
Posted by: Sandra Dunn | May 14th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Such felicity !!
Looks like any one of my women's college graduations throughout the years!
Only Gloria Steinem staunchly stood without headdress!
Love such parties! Kudos to the fund raising !!
Friend of the Red Hat Society!
AJS
Posted by: Andrea and the Weimaraners | May 14th, 2008 at 9:17 am
The Park certainly was beautiful! I love the old fashioned hats (30's & 40's style) and also the golden straws. If it is huge, or looks like you're wearing a flower pot or a bird on your head--well, I'm just not into that! Thanks for all of the photos.
Julie
Posted by: Julie Phillips | May 14th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I agree with Sadina about the shoes -- that is so neat!
Posted by: Ginger | May 14th, 2008 at 9:36 am
That was fun! Prudunce in red was my fav.
Posted by: suzy | May 14th, 2008 at 9:40 am
I'm a cowboy-hat kind of gal myself, except on those really windy days when only a baseball cap anchored by a ponytail will do...always the fashion statement out here! But if I had to choose, that elegant, well-made black straw hat would be my favorite from the luncheon.
http://the7msn.blogspot.com/
Posted by: carson | May 14th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Looks like everyone had a great time. I saw lots of hats that I adored. My favorites were the large rimmed straw hats. They put me to mind of Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffanys". Very elegant and flattering.
Posted by: Lori Stewart | May 14th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Wow, what an extraordinary event! I really like Suzanne's little hat. I imagine if I were to attend that would be the type of hat I would wear.
Emily
Posted by: Emily | May 14th, 2008 at 10:11 am
I like the one with the rafia look. They are all so crazy looking. The flowers ones are cool to. My fave is the puple one that looks kind of odd. Looks like it was a good time!!
Posted by: Ashley | May 14th, 2008 at 10:35 am
How fun! Thank you for sharing all of those great hats. It reminds of a wedding that I attended in Ireland a few years back but on a much larger scale.
Posted by: Anita | May 14th, 2008 at 10:51 am
holy hat army!!
wow, there are so many fab hats!!
i can't even choose one, let alone eight or nine.
how fun!!
Martha you look gorgeous as usual!!
looks like a hat-tabulous day!
oxoxox,
jessi
Posted by: Jessi Nagy | May 14th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Oh how I wish we could still wear great hats like that all the time. The more feathers and flowers the better, might as well go al out! I saw some pictures in the NYTimes but yours are even better. Thanks for sharing!
Claudine
Posted by: Claudine | May 14th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Martha, I would love to have a job painting the red soles of your shoes black because I enjoy painting! Thanks for the idea of using a sharpie. BTW, I was so anxious to get to sleep last night I forgot to vote on my favorite hat. I liked Prudence's hat; she looked so attractive. Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 14th, 2008 at 11:33 am
This event looked like so much fun and for a wonderful cause, too! Gorgeous ladies in picture-perfect hats...gorgeous landscaping...what could be better?!
Posted by: Sherey | May 14th, 2008 at 11:38 am
That would so fun, women hardly ever wear hats anymore, and I just love hats. I think tailored and elegant black straw would be my favorite, because it seems versatile enough to wear often.
Posted by: Barbara | May 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am
I loved a lot of the hats, especially some of the netted ones, but my absolute favorite is the sexy and old fashioned one. Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Laura Nelson | May 14th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Oh, how I dream of attending functions like that! I wrote a children's book entitled, "The Problem with Penelope's Hat." I'm working on publishing that right now...your blog has inspired me to work harder at that! Thank you for sharing! I loved any of the hats with flowers!
Posted by: Michaele | May 14th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Martha,
I have more than one favorite: the first pagoda style hat with embellishment and the pale blue gray one with the matching Chanel suit are absolutely stunning. I also think the lady in the "golden straw" early in the photos is so elegant and beautiful - she should wear that hat every day - she wears it so well.
I agree about your Louboutins. While I don't own any, I have often wonder about the red soles. What if someone wished to wear pastel pink with a beautiful nude slingback? The garrish red soles would detract from the ensemble. The red sole should be optional for those who want to flaunt the shoe designer, not for those who wear them because they are beautiful, well-made shoes.
Posted by: Ronda | May 14th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
i must say i like your hat the best Martha...very simple yet elegant!
pale blue- gray hat to match the Chanel suit is my 2nd choice
Posted by: liz | May 14th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I'm with the no-red-soles people and believe that IF your wardrobe assistant felt "degraded" she would find work elsewhere. I don't think it is at all demeaning, it is her job. She could just as easily have been dyeing a blouse or a scarf to a more suitable color for an outfit. I am all for making a fashion statement but not when that statement amounts to: "Look! I'm wearing $1500 shoes whose soles detract from and clash with my outfit but they're Christian Louboutin!!!"
Thanks for sharing and I thought you were one of the top 10 elegant, understated and sophisticated women there!
Posted by: Lisa Wiley | May 14th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
What fun!!
Posted by: Cynthia S | May 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Well this is my opinion. The wearer of the hat should be comfortable enough with it that she does not become an annoyance to those around her.
Queen Elizabeth and her daughter-in-laws especially Princess Dianna were the epitome of grace. Sorry Martha not much "hat grace" seen.
Posted by: Margie | May 14th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Martha:
This is your best post ever. FABULOUS!
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara | May 14th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Interesting. The prettiest hat I thought belonged to Joann. Creative, colorful and yet sophisticated, not silly. My ultimate favorite with outfit was Trin's because after all the hat and outfit should "fit" and hers was perfect...fantastic chanel suit.
Posted by: sophia | May 14th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
P.S. "Prudence" looks like she has a small arm holding a ball of light. All joking aside, she is drop-dead beautiful and elegant!
Posted by: Lisa Wiley | May 14th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hi Martha, What a beautiful day and location for the Conservancy Luncheon. Not being a hat person myself, I still was fascinated by your photos of the gorgeous ladies showing off their lovely hats. The color and creativity of this "sea" of fabulous hats was extraodinary. I can imagine what a colorful photo would result from an overhead shot of all of the hats. I don't really have a favorite, but I certainly enjoyed your beautiful hat and those of your dear friends. Thanks again for sharing. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 14th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
ANOTHER P.S. Dear "Margie",
My mother taught me that it is impolite to point out another person's rudeness but I'm going to make an exception in your case. Tradition trumps what you call "hat grace" in this case and this was not a royal affair or an opera where one's sight-line might have been obstructed, it was a luncheon in Central Park!
Incidentally, it is sisters-in-law.
Posted by: Lisa Wiley | May 14th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I love the bright orange hat with the pink accents. The hat should always be the focal point of an outfit!
Posted by: RHAM | May 14th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
What a lovely event. My favorite was the black straw with navy feathers. I am a hat wearer -- first to protect my skin, now to have some fun. Thanks for sharing the fantastic photos!
Posted by: Brenda | May 14th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Well it is silly but I am a knitter so I am rather partial to the sheep hat.
Posted by: Sarah Brown | May 14th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Oh Martha,
What a fun post! How I would love to be there taking pictures of all those fanciful and glorious hats.
Did you like Sarah Jessica Parker's hat that she wore in London for the premiere of her new fabulous movie?
I think it was interesting and a bit wacky
)
Posted by: Miz Booshay | May 14th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Very nice, although I seemed to have overlooked Eliza Doolittle! Thanks for posting all the photos of hats, one of my favorite things, and on my birthday!
Now, its time to have Kevin Sharkey give a us a tutorial on how to make that huge fabulous natural straw hat that he made for Alexis! I would love to know how to do that!
Angela
Posted by: Angela Willis | May 14th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
A galthering of ladies in hats reminds me of Royal Ascot Ladies' Day, although this was much less flamboyant. Hard to pick just one, but I think my favorite is the pale blue/grey one that matches the Chanel suit so well. I think my favorite style in general is the wide brimmed hats. Looks like a fun day!
Louise
Posted by: Louise | May 14th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
The sparkly pagoda hat is my favorite because it was different. Enough with the flowers!
Posted by: Renee Fitzgerald | May 14th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
All of the hats are fabulous! I love reading your blog and seeing your photos. Thank you for sharing!
My toddler loves the one with the purple flowers and blue butterfly. She thinks I need to get fancy hats for both of us.
Posted by: The Casual Perfectionist | May 14th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Dear Martha,
This was better than watching the Kentucky Derby!! What a wonderful sea of fabulous hats!!!Thank you for taking us on so many field trips with you.. and thank you for this WONDERFUL BLOG!!!
Laura
Posted by: Laura Cunnane | May 14th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Thank You for Taking the time to post all these beautiful hats. I loved all the hats, but my favorite one was the pagoda hat.
Posted by: Carolyn Tisdale | May 14th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Beautiful ! I have LOVED hats since I was a little girl (60+).
My favorite:
"Very pretty and old fashioned"
"The very prettiest at the lunch"
And, "the very chick" (the black and white dot print.
Posted by: Lee Koury | May 14th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Hi again, Martha,
I enjoyed the show today about teachers, especially you riding on that rocket-like bike! From one teacher to another, thanks.
The photos of the gardens of Central Park with the trees, flowers, green grass, and pergola are wonderful.
I also agree about your Louboutins. Thanks for the idea of painting the bottoms black with a broad Sharpie.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | May 14th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
There is a great book called "Crowns" about black church ladies and their church hats. Wonderful faces and hats even if it is in black and white.
Loved the pictures!
Posted by: gardenlady | May 14th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
My favorite is the classic black straw worn by one of Jane's "young friends." Glorious! I would wear this hat, myself.
Posted by: Emily A | May 14th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Oh, I love Trin's blue-gray hat. Really lovely!
Posted by: Amy loves Bud | May 14th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Beautiful hats and so hard to choose but I liked "A down-turned straw brim and a crown surrounded with very lovely silk flowers" a lot.
Posted by: Donna | May 14th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
What fun! My favorite hats are the red ones - Amy Goodman and Prudence - but everyone looks gorgeous.
Posted by: Nanette | May 14th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
This is really fun! Loved looking at all the different hats.
Your blog is so interesting...
Posted by: Maureen | May 14th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Hi again Martha and fellow bloggers!
Today’s blog is so much fun that I had to visit again. I would like to give my opinion and judge the top ten hats. Here goes!
FIRST
Trin in pale blue-gray straw with delicate straw decoration
(Did her Chanel suit have any sway in my decision? possibly).
FIRST
Jane Heller
(A very high society hat and suit combination)
Both of these women share first place with absolutely stunning hats!
SECOND
Blaine Trump in a flowered wide brimmed hat
(Simple elegance)
THIRD
Tara Rockefeller, in wide brimmed white
with striped French ribbon
(Feminine elegance)
FOURTH
Joann up close
(Understated and elegant…love the suit, too!)
FIFTH
Brin in a bright orange Suzanne
(Fun, fun, fun!! …pinks and oranges together are fun!)
SIXTH
made by a French designer
(A fabulous statement shouting “spring has arrived”!)
SEVENTH
Amy Goldman in a pretty red hat
(Just the right added surprise of color with her suit)
EIGTH
colorful, pretty, fanciful, well-made, and very attractive.
(Sweet and vibrant!)
NINTH
Prudence in red
(Bold and gorgeous!)
TENTH
Decollete with hat and sunglasses
(Lime on lime is classy)
I wonder what Mayor Bloomberg would have worn for a hat if he was a woman?
I hope that I haven’t offended anyone with my opinions, especially fellow bloggers. Martha, thanks so much for sharing these wonderful photos…you didn’t make the top ten but you are an honorable mention for participating.
Gloria Brown
Winterport, Maine
Posted by: Gloria Brown | May 14th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Hi Martha, I loved all the hats,everyone seemed to be having a great time. I especially like the hat Joann had an elegant choice of a hat. My 2nd choice was the HAT trimmed in apale blue-gray straw with delicate straw decoration. LOOKED FABULOUS WITH HER CHANEL SUIT JUST BEAUTIFUL. I LOVE HATS AND WEAR THEM AS OFTEN AS I CAN. GREAT PHOTOS
Posted by: Mareka | May 14th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Neat... Wish I could have been there.
Posted by: Christine Knight | May 15th, 2008 at 1:51 am
I enjoy the vivacious orange hat with hot pink flowers. The wear of which knows it is spring and time for color.
I also really loved the black wide brimmed hat with the subtle white polka dots.
Thanks for sharing your classy city outings with me, a wyoming farmers wife who enjoys design.
Posted by: Katie Roberts | May 15th, 2008 at 10:20 am
looks like more fun than a girl should be aloud to have!!!
Posted by: amy | May 15th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I love the opportunity to see so many hats without having to read Perez Hilton and see his ridiculous hand-drawn comments. I love so many of them but especially the straw with real flowers, the french designed blue hat and the feathers and pink flowers. Love them all so much.
Posted by: Danee | May 15th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Your friend Jane Heller is such a blast. I always enjoyed it when she was on your show, countering your fussiness with her plainspoken attitude.
You were making flower pot cakes once with her on the show once and you asked her why you were using store-bought Smarties. She stopped, rolled her eyes and GLARED at you: "Because I don't feel like making Smarties from scratch!!"
LOVE her!
Love you too!
...And the hats!
-Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | May 15th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Because I live in the UK, there are many occasions to wear a hat. Wearing a hat at a wedding is practically de rigueur! Ladies Day at Ascot is still the place to show off your new hat.
The lady dubbed 'very chic' is so pretty in her hat. She looks like she wears a hat all the time! I love her spots too.
Posted by: Melinda | May 15th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Beautiful hats!!! What an extraordinary display!
Posted by: IowaCowgirl | May 15th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
I have to say, I love the lady with the golden straw hat, she looks fantastic! As do you Martha!!
Posted by: Marie | May 15th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
My Favorite: Trin in pale blue-gray straw with delicate straw decoration - a perfect match for her Chanel suit.
Posted by: Dawn | May 16th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I think everyone that I have seen
looked amazing. I think that a
wonderful hat is the right accent
to a smashing ensemble. You
looked beautiful, Martha. I think
my favorite hat was the last one
marked, "WOW". That one could
have been made by Philippe Model
in Paris.
Posted by: Vi | May 16th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Martha, you looked lovely in your hat. I really enjoyed all the gorgeous pictures. What fun to go to a luncheon with such style.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | May 16th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
The Golden Straw hat is a hands down winner. That lady looked tres chic in that hat combined with the sunglasses.
Posted by: Tanya | May 18th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I loved so many! My absolute favorite was the gorgeous red hat worn by Amy Goldman. She looked stunning! Thanks you for sharing these lovely photos with us!
Posted by: Cristina Hornborg | May 19th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Paint the soles of your Louboutins, Martha? That's so charming and preppy of you.
Posted by: teensleuth | May 19th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I'd totally look silly in a hat. But if I had to wear one, I'd make sure that it was huge and beautiful. I think my favorite was the orange and hot pink hat.
Posted by: Nik | May 21st, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Only you could give such thorough coverage of the event, Martha! Many beautiful hats, but the most memorable and creative has to be the sheep in the grass with park bench. Maybe not the most elegant, but I certainly can't forget it. Thanks for sharing this event with us - such eye candy!
Posted by: Annechovie | May 23rd, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Martha! So wonderful are these hats. They remind me of some I inherited from my grandmother and mother, worn in the '30s, '40s, 50s, 60s and maybe even the '70s. Might you open up to pics of such for all to share what they may have in their picture archives?! Would love to post a few and see lots of others.
Posted by: Suzanne | June 11th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Thanks for the wonderful hat parade and the heartening news that people are wearing lovely hats again. Our milliner is so talented and she is really encouraged by such lovely events as the one you record here. Many thanks, Janet
Posted by: Janet Foster | June 12th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Hi Martha;
I loved Suzanne's hat the best, then yours, then the elegant pagoda one.
Thanks for sharing. I love everything about you/ your shows. I am a huge (genuine) fan! I wish you were family! (^-^)
Posted by: Cindy | August 19th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I love hats! I've been waiting a long time for them to be fashionable once again. My son is getting married next August and the event will be quite elegant. I myself, favor the big Audrey Hepburn style. Thanks for the enjoyable pictures.
Anne
Posted by: Anne MacIsaac | September 4th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Hello,
Do you mind if I link to your website?
Thanks.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | March 28th, 2010 at 7:43 am