When the Countess of Wessex last stepped out in a hat in mid December, it was in her burgundy felt stovepipe cloche with flying bow. The distinct points on the top of this design’s crown make it a unique shape; interestingly, Sophie has two other hats, also by Philip Treacy, with this same unmistakeable feature:
Hat #1: Mad of ecru straw, this hat first appeared at Ascot on June 19, 2001
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Hat #2: A variation in snakeskin printed straw trimmed with a spray of striped pheasant feathers on the side. First worn for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’s wedding in 2005.
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Hat #3: Boldest version in deep maroon felt with a flying bow. First worn to the Cheltenham Races on March 15, 2006.
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While I love to see an unusual millinery shape (they certainly keep things lively for us!), this one feels firmly rooted in the in the early 2000s when oversize hats were the rage. Compared to today’s face framing halo bandeaux and perchers, the shape feels a bit harsh.
What do you think of this Philip Treacy experimental shape? Which version of this hat do you think worked best?
Photos from Getty as indicated