March 25, 2016

The Travelling Hat visits Penticton




Outfit details

1930s/1940s style tilt hat: Handmade by milliner Tanith Rowan
Brown plastic barrette: Goody
Black rhinestone stud earrings: Claire's or Payless
C. 1950s white blouse with black trim: Rue 23 Vintage
Royal blue blazer: Suzy Shier
C. 1950s royal blue rhinestone brooch: Gift from a dear friend
1940s/50s ruched light blue gloves: Unknown, had for years
1940s black felt and gold tone metal handbag: Possibly a gift (had for years)
1950s long black pencil skirt: Probably eBay or Etsy
Black seamed nude stockings: eBay
1940s style black faux suede pumps: Walmart
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red


Photography by Tony Cangiano


















































My dear friend Tanith Rowan is, hands down, one of the most talented milliners practising this timeless art alive on the planet today (long time readers may recall that she made my bespoke vintage style hat dreams come true last year with this dazzling grey and pink chapeau) and her creations never fails to bring me to my knees.

I'm a devoted fan and follower of Tanith's work, so when she announced on her blog in November 2014 that she was going to launch a traveling hat project (dubbed, very sweetly, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Hat) that would see a single creation of hers traverse the globe and land on the noggins of stylish vintage ladies far and wide, I couldn't add my name to signup list fast enough.

Like myself, Tanith is a big fan of vintage tilt hats and so designed a breathtaking example of such to send out in the world for many a fellow vintage wearer to spend a bit of time with before passing Adelaide, as she was christened, on to the next Traveling Hat participant.

Prior to "her" arrival in the Okanagan Valley, Adelaide last spent time with another good friend of mine, Seanna from the blog Seanna Approved. And before that, she had shown up in various corners of Australia, Europe, and America, but I believe I'm the first Canadian to have her spend on this side of the 49th.

Like all of Tanith's work, Adelaide is a vision of stunning beauty and expert workmanship. She had been worn by several other ladies before I received her, yet she reached me in excellent condition - testament to the quality of Tanith's creations (as well as the care that each person has used in handling this hat).

I very much enjoyed seeing how the other Sisterhood of the Traveling Hat participants had styled this awesome vintage style tilt hat, forming ideas for my own outfit with each new look that Tanith shared on her blog (check them out here). However, when Adelaide actually landed on my doorstep and I held her in my hands, all of those previous concepts flew out of the window.

She was even more breathtaking in person and I was struck by how powerfully she channeled a late 1930s/early 1940s look that would have been right at home on the head of any leading Hollywood starlet of the era.

I don't own a lot of 30s garb at all, but I wasn't going to let that stop the vision for an ensemble that was cementing itself in my mind from coming to life. By blending vintage and vintage appropriate modern pieces together, I was able to come up with a daytime (or casual evening wear) look that I feel taps into the spirit of the late 30s/early 40s quite nicely.

This enchanting topper deserves to be the star of any outfit and I aimed to make that happen here, opting for largely understated pieces and fairly minimal (for me) jewelry, save for the gorgeous 1950s blue rhinestone brooch that I added to my blazer (I don't usually wear brooches that are same colour as the solid hued garment they’re pinned to, but of the about fifteen different brooches I tried with this look, both Tony and I felt that this one worked the best and so I broke my usual rule and just went for it!).

There was something so deeply wonderful about getting to spend time with Adelaide. Not only did I stop and reflect often on the fact that she had been in the hands of many of my vintage friends around the world, none of whom I've yet met in person, but also that we were creating a future vintage accessory in this traveling hat. Unlike so many (current) old school hats though, this chapeau's story is know and documented.

Wherever Adelaide eventually lands for her forever home, her tale is documented and shared, history in the making captured care of modern technology.

It was an honour and joy of the highest magnitude to spend time with this traveling hat. While here, she got to see Kelowna and Penticton, including both our home and my parent's house. I bonded with this gorgeous hat and saying goodbye to it was a bittersweet experience.

I wanted to keep her with me for years to come, yet at the same time was elated to send her off to be enjoyed by the next chic vintage sporting lady who will put her own unique styling spin on Adelaide's story.

Thank you, dear Tanith, for creating this project and for uniting so many of us scattered across the globe with one enchantingly gorgeous hat that I'm sure, much like myself, no one who spends time with her will ever forget.




75 comments:

  1. I love the traveling hat concept! How fun! It looks adorable on you and the blues are just perfection together. The brooch, the jacket, the gloves, and the little appliques on the hat! Ah! I can't get enough!

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    1. Thank you sweetly, darling gal! Royal blue is a colour that I've completely fallen in love with in recent years and which I now find myself reaching for most often in the winter and spring. I picked up this blazer back in 2014, I believe it was, and hadn't shared it here yet, so I figured given how well the two (hat + jacket) matched, no time like the present!

      Many thanks again & have a fantastic weekend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. Oh Jessica, Adelaide looks absolutely stunning on you!!! I was waiting with baited breath to see how you'd style your outfit around her, and you naturally knocked it out of the park.
    I also dreamed of owning such a darling hat while she was in my
    possession. But I needed to let her go, and grace other fellow vintage lovers. Can't wait to see where she ends up next.

    Carla, Tiny Angry Crafts

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    1. You're such a dear, Carla. Thank you so much! I adored how you styled "her", too, and really hope that "she'll" land on a few more heads before returning for good to Tanith. It's been such a blast seeing other ladies put their own unique spin on Adelaide as well (I sent her on to Joanna from Dividing Vintage moments, who shared some snaps of her Traveling Hat outfit on her Instagram account a few days ago).

      Big hugs & joyful Easter wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. Gorgeous I particularly love the gloves they add a great touch

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Kate. I tried a fair number of different pairs in various colours and shades here and these were the winners by a mile. :)

      Oodles of hugs & happy Easter wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. What an incredibly beautiful hat. And your elegant styling is totally flawless!

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    1. What an immensely lovely compliment, sweet Christina. Thank you very much!

      Hug hugs & happy Easter wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  5. What a great concept! I love that this hat will grace so may heads!! It is really beautiful.

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    1. Isn't it though? Tanith is beyond talented and I feel so honoured to have spent a wee bit of time with another of her incredible creations.

      Many hugs & happy Easter wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. Tanith's creation is absolutely fabulous adorning your stylish head, Jessica. What a shame you can't keep her, she looks like she was made for you.
    That blazer is a wonderful colour, we used to call it "electric blue" in the 1980s. It just pops out of my screen. Accessorizing with a brooch in the same shade of blue just serves to enhance that fabulous colour all the more.
    Have a happy weekend. xxx

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    1. Thank you very much, lovely Vix. That's a fab name for this shade (I'm just barely old enough to remember those years first hand and definitely recall how prevalent this shade was back then - such great times on the fashion front!), which really does hum and buzz with energy and vitality.

      Sending scores of hugs & happy Easter wishes your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Such a lovely hat! The blue colors suits you very well! But I think you can wear every color with style :)

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    1. You're a total dear, Anthea honey, thank you very much. I've really deepened my love for royal blue in recent years and now find it's become one of my "uniform" colours for winter and spring in particular.

      Big hugs & happy Easter Sunday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  8. Wow, what an interesting idea. It's fun that the hat gets to have a documented history compared with most vintage items that one finds and wishes could speak. :)

    Sarah

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    1. It really is! Tanith hit upon something deeply special and memorable with this fantastic project and I feel so fortunate to have been able to spend a spot of time with Adelaide. She was the loveliest of house guests one could ever hope for. :)

      Many hugs & happy weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. Dear Jessica, I am finally back after a long trip and got a bug - feeling weak now, but being in bed is also nice sometimes :) I loved the pictures and I loved the project, Sisterhood of the Traveling Hat :) It's amazing to have such a project and one piece travels the world, to people we never saw, but somehow we know :) I loved the colors, the leaves, and your outfit always perfect - with gloves and a cute brooch! Looking very sweet and beautiful and I hope this project goes on and on and on! Happy Easter!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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    1. Warmest welcome back, dear Denise. I'm very sorry to hear that you've been out of commission lately. End of the season bugs can be all the more rough. I swear, it seems like they're stronger than those when winter begins. I really hope that you're starting to feel better and that you're enjoying a sunny, beautiful Easter weekend.

      Big hugs & joyful holiday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. What an amazing hat Adelaide is! And that blue jacket really suits you, Jessica. Lovely handbag too! xxx

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    1. Thank you so much! I utterly adore this c. 1940s handbag, too. Unfortunately one of its straps has broken since this shoot (the threads on it had been very weak since I first got it), but I think that I'll be able to repair it without anyone being the wiser - at least from a distance. :)

      Many hugs & happy Easter wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. Looking simply lovely as always, dearest Jessica. That colour blue is stunning. The hat is just a joy, hat makers are a bit of a dying art, so it's wonderful to see that there are some wonderfully talented ones still around. I love the 30s fashion, it's harder to come by pieces that fit that era. The detailing of that period was so delightful. Thank you for giving us some truly beautiful pictures that I know will inspire so many. Your husband has a brilliant eye for colour. Those photos; wow! Many hugs xx

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    1. They really are and it is a heartbreaking shame. I deeply admire the small handful - both indie and the tiny few that hit it big in the designer fashion world - who are still keeping this incredibly important sartorial art form alive and commend Tanith on that front to no end.

      Many thanks for your wonderfully lovely comment (including the compliment for Tony). I hope that you and your family are enjoying a splendid Easter weekend.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. You look so pretty in these photos. Really attractive. Blue works for you and the style is perfect. BTW, I'm jealous of Adelaide since "she" got to meet you in person. :-)

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    1. What a terrifically nice compliment, Ally. Thank you so much! Adelaide was sent off to the next lovely lady (Joanna from the blog Dividing Vintage Moments) who just happens to live in the same State as you. If you wanted to take part in this fun project, you could contact Tanith to see if Adelaide was still in the US and could be shipped to you. I just know you'd style her sublimely, too!

      Have a beautiful Easter weekend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. A Traveling Hat - what a wonderful idea! Adelaide sounds most charming! ;-) And I love your blue ensemble - blue is my favorite color, and it looks great on you! ;-)

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Grace. I love wearing blue. It's one of those colours that I feel really comfortable and at home in. My mom always showers me with compliments when I sport it, too, so I'm certainly not going to argue with either of you wise ladies. :)

      Big hugs & joyful Easter wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. It has been so wonderful seeing all of the different ways this hat has been styled - such a fun and clever idea! Tanith is indeed a very lovely, and extremely talented lady. In this outfit you could easily have stepped out of Hail Cesar, absolute 1940s perfection!

    Deco Darling

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    1. Hasn't it though? The variety and skill that each vintage wearer brought to their Adelaide ensemble has been downright breathtaking to witness.

      That is a stellar compliment (I'm dying to see that movie!), sweet Harlow. Thank you for making my whole day and then some with it.

      Oodles of hugs & happy Easter wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. I love tilt hats, and it's a gorgeous example of one! Really good way for Tanith to promote her work as well, from a business point of view, on top of fostering community spirit.

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    1. It is absolutely is, Fiona - great observation. Tanith's skilled millinery work deserves all the publicity it can get, in my books, and I feel honoured to be able to shine the spotlight on it here from time-to-time. She and I are working on another bespoke hat for my own personal collection, so you'll be seeing more of her wonderful creativity here a little ways down the road (I'm so looking forward to it!).

      Many hugs & thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. Oh, that blue is almost electric! So pretty. And thanks for the rhinestone brooch closeup ;)

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    1. My pleasure, Katrin! We try (though do once in a while forget, especially if we're in a rush) to do closeups on the jewelry I wear in my outfits, particularly if they're making their debut here for the first time. I adore seeing the pieces that fashion bloggers wear and want to make sure my readers can do the same with mine, too. :)

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment. Have a splendid Easter!
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. What a stunning hat! Stunnibg outfit! The blues really make your hair and eyes pop. Beautiful. Tanith's designs are really lovely. Hope you and Tony have a wonderful Easter xx

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    1. So many thanks, my dear friend. What an awesome compliment!

      Sending countless happy Easter and start of springtime wishes right back at you!

      ♥ Jessica

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  18. That hat is so beautiful, and I love that it has traveled around the world! The Sisterhood of the Traveling Hat sounds like a wonderful project :)

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    1. It really is! I think that projects like this are all the more important in smaller niches of the fashion world, like the vintage one, where connecting with others can be an integral part of helping to keep morale up and aid members in feeling less alone if they're the only vintage/rockabilly/pinup wearer in their area.

      Many thanks & have a terrific Easter, my dear!
      ♥ Jessica

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  19. You look so good in blue, and that hat is so beautiful! I hope you had a lovely Easter! xo

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    1. Thank you very much, honey. We're just beginning our Easter Sunday here (it's a few minutes before 5 am), but it's already gearing up to a beautiful one - and a much needed moment of R&R between the hectiness of this month and the business that I know lies ahead in April. I hope that yours is/was wonderful, too!

      Oodles of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  20. Oh my, how wonderful! You look just lovely and such a treat to wear such a pretty creation. I love your brooch, it reminds me so much of one I myself own, but mine is a delicious green as opposed to this sumptuous blue xxx

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    1. Oooohh, your emerald version sounds sublime! I utterly adore green vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories. I've been trying to find a genuine 40s or 50s green handbag that was actually within my budget for years now, but no dice. It's definitely one of those pieces I'm always on the hunt for.

      Big hugs & thank you very much for your terrific comments this weekend,
      ♥ Jessica

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  21. Gorgeous hat! I think you ensemble works perfectly with it! :)

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    1. Thank you sweetly, lovely lady. I really enjoyed veering a bit more into a 1930s aesthetic for the sake of this stunning hat. I don't dress that far back in time very often, but I always greatly enjoy it when I do (if only more 30s styles were becoming on a short, hourglass-y gal like me).

      I hope that you had a beautiful Easter weekend and wish you a fantastic tail end of March!

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  22. Love this shade of blue on you - so divine with your colouring. This whole outfit is superb and the hat is the icing on the cake. Agree that that brooch works really well against the similar shade of blue - makes me wonder if I've been missing opportunities with my own brooches too! Hope you are having a lovely Easter xxx

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    1. Thank you very much, dear CiCi. I hear you there. I've really shied away from monochromatic jewelry + garment choices, but this combo has shifted my stance there a bit. I'm thinking I'll play around with some red options there, given how often I wear my signature hue.

      Our Easter was really nice, thank you. Very lowkey and quiet, which suits me completely fine, especially after the three ring circus of activity that has been this first quarter of the year. I hope that you're was terrific, too, and that you're enjoying a fun (chocolate filled! :)) Easter Monday.

      Oodles of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  23. that little hat with the beautiful flowers is totally gorgeous!
    and you - my dear jess - look fantastic in dazzling blue! to pin a brooch in the same hue to the jacket is a genius idea that i will adopt!!
    happy spring!!! xxxxxxx

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    1. Thank you soooo much, sweet Beate. You know, this outfit has made me rethink my stance on monochromatic jewelry + outfit choices big time. I think (now) that if the jewelry is eye-catching enough, it not only works, but can look fantastic. As we head into the warmer months and beyond, I'll definitely be playing around with more colour-on-colour combos and am looking forward to it.

      I hope that life is well on your end as we head into the final days of March, and that you guys (precious kitty very much included) had a splendid Easter weekend.

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. thank you! we´r all well and happy - lots of sun and warm temps made for long garden days!! :-)
      hugs! xxxxx

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  24. Ooohh I love Tanith's hats! I always drool them and wish I have a chance to buy one someday. Super outfit, blue suits you very well. This "travelling accessory" idea is so awesome.

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    1. Thank you very much, honey. That's such a wonderfully nice compliment. My mom really thinks that blue shines on me as well and who I am to argue with either of you wise and stylish ladies? :)

      Tons of hugs & happy start of springtime wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  25. The hat looks great on you! I have really been enjoying seeing where this hat has gone and to see it land in Canada is wonderful :) You styled it perfectly.

    Liz

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    1. That's such a lovely compliment, dear Liz. Thank you very, very much! I feel honoured to have given a Adelaide a wee taste of Canada's awesomeness and am eagerly looking forward to where she'll land next.

      Big hugs & happy tail end of March wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  26. I always love seeing your outfit posts! You are always so well put together! <3 That's very fun about the traveling hat as well!

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    1. What a fabulously nice compliment. Thank you sweetly, honey. It really was a blast! I hope that Adelaide is able to continue visiting different members of our community for a long time more to come.

      Have a marvelous last week of March!
      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  27. I love your take on Adelaide! You did a wonderful job setting off both shades of blue in the flowers, as well as letting the unusual shape take center stage.
    I have to agree with everything that you said about the craft and care that went into making the hat - I know when I had it, I didn't want to send it off to the next person! Seeing all the new ladies wear it has made it worthwhile, though. ;)

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    1. Very much so! It was hard to wave to good bye, but the knowledge that she was heading off to another stylish vintage lady (none other than the extremely elegant Joanna from Dividing Vintage Moments, to be exact) made the parting more bearable. I just adore that we both got to spend time with "her" and am so excited to see where "she'll" continue landing as time goes on.

      Many hugs & happy Tuesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  28. Oh my gosh, a travelling hat, what a fun idea! This is such a gorgeous hat and you wear it so wonderfully!

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    1. Thank you so much, sweet Sara. It really is a fun, creative idea and incredible way to connect vintage wearers the world over. I'm not sure if she's looping back around the world again this year or making her way home to Australia, but if she's back on our continent again, perhaps you could sport her for a while, too (if so desired, of course).

      Big hugs & happy end of March wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  29. Wow what an outfit Jessica! And I love the concept of the travelling hat, it is an amazing piece and you have styled it to perfection x

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    1. Thank you very much, honey. You always shower me with the loveliest compliments and I hope that you to know just how much they mean to me.

      Huge hugs!
      ♥ Jessica

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  30. How wonderful to finally see you and Adelaide! And thank you (and all the above commenters) for the lovely compliments. What a beautiful outfit you've put together to compliment the colours and shape of the hat. Perfection!

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    1. Thank you very, very much, sweet Tanith. It was truly a joy and a delightful honour to spend time with Adelaide. "She" is an extraordinary hat that is all the more beautiful for having spent time in the presence of so many stylish, amazing women the world over.

      Huge hugs & thanks for giving me a chance to enjoy TTH firsthand,
      ♥ Jessica

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  31. Wow, how cool Jessica !
    There are no milliners where I live - (not sure if woven straw hat makers are included in the term)
    As with all handcrafted goods I find them unique - these actually have authenticity and personality, for me that is priceless.
    You are looking lovely in blue.

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    1. Sadly there is a serious shortage of milliners the world over these days. What was one a huge, thriving industry is all but a distant memory. I have the deepest respect for Tanith and indie designers out there who are keeping beautiful, creative millinery work alive and putting their own unique spin on it in the process.

      Thank you very much, my friend. I hope that you're having a terrific week and tail end of March (what a quick month it was!).

      Many hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  32. Oh it looks so lovely on you!! Its wonderful to see how so many ladies have styled the same hat. I had such a fabulous time with Adelaide and feel in some way connected with those who wore her before me and after. Funny how an object can connect so many people.

    She Knits in Pearls

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    1. I felt the same way, too - as though a little bit of the vintage loving spirit of each beautiful lady who had worn it before me was right there. It was a beautiful and comforting sensation and one that I won't soon forget.

      Many hugs & happy first weekend of April wishes, my sweet friend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  33. The travelling hat is such a fantastic idea, and what a beauty to borrow. I imagine that one day it will be vintage and books (or whatever is the media then) will be written about its history. Blue becomes you very well, dear. :) Have a lovely day. :)

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Sanne. That's such a lovely compliment - and all the more encouragement to wear blue a lot as we embrace spring and summer. Speaking of which, we actually have decent weather here today. Yippee! Not quite time to hit the beach yet, but warm enough to leave the winter boats and coat at home, which is well worth celebrating! :)

      I hope you're doing great this week and gearing up for a fantastic weekend!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  34. Lovely, lovely, lovely! Tony photographed the hat so beautifully. You look amazing in this hat and I love how your outfit has the same hues as the hat. We were both blessed to see the hat in person. I love seeing how you styled and approached bringing this hat into a center piece of your outfit. Just lovely!

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    1. Thank you so much, my darling friend! I seriously loved that not only did we both get to take part in the Traveling Hat project, but that it went from my hands (and head! :)) to yours. We've always had so much in common and now this is another wonderful point on that front.

      I swooned up a storm over how you styled TTH, too, and think your choice of coats was a superb one. Your outfit was as elegant and classically beautiful as can be. Plus royal blue (and blues in general) look fantastic on you.

      Big thanks again & endless wishes for a joyful April,
      ♥ Jessica

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  35. Wow I love that dark blue on you! I never would have thought to pair those shades of blue together but it works really well!

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    1. Thank you very much, my dear. Hands down one of my favourite styling tricks is to pair a light and dark shade of a given colour with a both dark and a light neutral. The mix is polished, classic and fun!

      Oodles of hugs & happy weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you very much!

      Have a fabulous weekend,
      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  37. It is lovely to see Adelaide again and I love the way you have styled her. That colour of blue really suits you. I found it hard to let her go too but seeing her appear on various heads around the world and following her travels is great. I am so pleased that I got to be part of her journey.

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    1. Thank you very much, my sweet friend. I just adore knowing that we both got to spend time with "her". This hat is truly something special and I hope that "she" continues to traverse the world and land on some more stylish heads, as it really is such a joy to see where she'll pop up next and to know that so many in our close knit community are getting to spend time with her.

      Tons of hugs & merry mid-April wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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