Everyone loves shopping for hats! Well, not really. Actually, I find that shopping for hats can be a very frustrating experience. It seems that either the sales clerk is not very knowledgeable, or that I don't really know what I want. So I decided to sit down and put together this guide to shopping for hats -- for both you and me.

When you are thinking about purchasing a new hat, just where should you begin? Most people will see the latest trendy design in an ad (especially a print ad) and will head out the door for the shopping mall. I think that is the wrong approach. I think that the best thing to do is to think about the hat's function first. What do you need your hat for?

The reason for thinking about function first is that many hats are designed to be used for a particular purpose. If you can identify a particular purpose, then you can safely ignore all the other offerings that do not meet your needs. For example, if you need a rain hat, you can ignore hats primarily designed to be a fashion statement.

Or take another example: the humble winter cap, or hunting hat. There is a hat with function. Or a chauffeur hat - talk about specific function! All of this is worth thinking about, because the reason we get caught up in buying the latest 'creation' instead of buying what we need, is because we put fashion ahead of everything else.

The problem here, of course, is that when many people think of a functional hat, they think of something that is cheap and looks horrid. Not so! For example, you need to go shopping for a sun protection hat. That's functional - protection. But many can also be selected that are truly stylish as well -- you just have to look around a little.

Now, if you happen to need a hat that is simple, old-fashioned fun, I can't think of a better example than the straw hat. And if you are shopping for some headgear for your kids, straw hats are not only cute (think girls), but they are almost indestructible as well.

And since the weather will be turning colder soon (at least here in the US), it might pay you to look into shopping for a good hunting hat or cold-weather hat. These are usually made from very warm fabrics or animal fur. Both man-made and natural fabrics are used in the manufacture of hunting and outdoor hats.

Crochet hats. Ever heard of them? In yesteryear your mom and grandmother may have made one by hand. You of course, modern woman that you are, don't have any time for that -- but you can still pick one up from your local retailer. They too are warm when the weather turns cold.

Well, that's it: some personal information - from me to you - some thoughts on hats and hat selection. I sure had fun writing it -- I hope it has helped you.