Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Changing Hats

Looking innocent was her best cover. Sure some thought she was nothing more than sugar and spice. Others wrote her off as being plain nice. Certainly, when she wore a hat like this, it showcased her dainty lips, and when she downcast her eyes, nobody doubted her demure sense of being.

Silently to herself she was bursting to step out, "Have you ever wanted to go wild, or at least change your song and dance routine?" Oh she knew, she knew…to change takes courage and she was working on that. Maybe tomorrow she would throw her hat up to the stars.

photos: A set of 1900s fashion magazine illustrations. I use to draw and dream of being a fashion designer. Looking at these brought up that childhood memory. Take your hat off to these links to hats

Comments

28 responses to “Changing Hats”

  1. gracie

    I threw a few hats to the stars… much easier dancing now! yes – change takes courage.
    ps.. I’ve never seen such amazing sugar cubes!!!

    Reply
  2. Marie-Noëlle

    Pleased to be first to comment upon this new entry and to make “my own entry” back !!!
    It is not the hat that makes the “catherinette”!!!
    (after the proverb: “it is not the cowl that makes the monk”)…
    Hats can symbolise a lot of things!!!
    MN

    Reply
  3. Jeanne

    Hats off to you my lovely friend.
    Love Jeanne ^j^

    Reply
  4. cruststation

    Beautiful links and images, especially love the ‘Garden of Delights’ set of photos-gorgeous. Oh Corey, I would love to see more of your illustrations I’m sure you do a great job with them!

    Reply
  5. Paris Parfait

    I love hats – have worn them throughout my life. Lovely post.

    Reply
  6. Pauline Clarke

    I loved wearing hats as a young girl despite the fact that we HAD to wear them to church (or maybe because of that?). Audrey Hepburn made wide-brimmed hats popular for a while and I had several in different colors. A pity hats are only for “occassions” now. Must be the French half of me that misses them 🙂

    Reply
  7. Shannon

    Corey, have we met before? Becauce I could swear you know me based on these posts of yours.

    Reply
  8. Penny

    I love this illustration. Oh if only I could wear hats — but I look like a dork in them! Inside myself I am tall, willowy, elegant and beautiful – we all must have a secret self.

    Reply
  9. wendy

    Wow, I’m awake after a dream about a dress (long story) to find a post on a dress.
    Hope you are having a Blessed Advent : ) Wendy

    Reply
  10. Sheila

    I saw sugar cubes like those as a child ~ I was fascinated with them !
    My mother was often heard to quote
    “If you want to get ahead,
    get a hat!”

    Reply
  11. Brother Mathew

    For old times sake Corey, please draw something for us! Hats and all.
    TONGUE IN CHEEK RESPONDS: I was nine or ten when I drew “girls” on the inside of magazines (that way it seemed as if my drawings where published,) I haven’t drawn since…My-fashion-wanna-be-designer-days ended when I thought I had to sew too.

    Reply
  12. Amber

    It is fun to be a little more naughty than one might seem. 😉 I think that is how YOU are! LOL
    🙂

    Reply
  13. Star

    Hats. My hair is too thick to keep them on properly. Perhaps if I’d lived in a different era when hat pins were popular…
    How could an aspiring fashion designer marry a Frenchman and move to France and not have followed that dream? With your creative eye you would have been a fabulous success!

    Reply
  14. annieelf

    Those sugar cubes are such a clever idea and look very easy to make.
    Changing is an act of courage and faith that is very daunting to so many women. Fear and habit are great oppressors.

    Reply
  15. diana

    I second brother Matts motion… show us a drawing !!

    Reply
  16. Orama

    Oh,yes,please darling, draw
    us some high fashion. Don’t forget the fish net nylons.

    Reply
  17. nel

    I love the 1920’s. My grandfather was an artist and his drawings from that era were exquisite…unfortunately he passed away before I was born but I have always felt a connection with him through his work. I would love to have known him…nel

    Reply
  18. Darla

    I like the hat but I NEED a pair of those black shoes.

    Reply
  19. boubou

    j’aime beaucoup ce style année 20 !

    Reply
  20. Anonymouse

    She knew..
    She knew..
    Is “She” you?
    What did She throw up to the stars?
    A MARS bar?

    Reply
  21. Teresa Sheeley

    Before I got to you saying I used to draw and dream of being a fashion designer, I was looking at this thinking that same thing. What a coincidence! I love this post.

    Reply
  22. Franca Bollo

    Will you ever indulge your readers to the story of your song and dance to “Mississippi Mud” one autumn night back in 1975 on the Willows High School football field. Tongue in Cheek at her cheekiest. Oh laaa.

    Reply
  23. patpaulk

    I thought I left a comment on this one. A little wild is good for the blood!! Been rumored to cure everything from wandering eye to curiosity.

    Reply
  24. pinar

    don’t you feel the urge of taşking to someone with such a face and smei-closed eyes..
    I die for seeing the expression these eyelids are hiding..
    isnt it very fascinating .. a person.. male or female.. who keeps away direct eye contact for some moments.. and then reveals them.. wow..

    Reply
  25. susan

    this post alone has me beginning to believe that i have a late onset of ADD…i LOVE all the links and just want to add another dozen projects to my growing list…but first, i must read more of your posts 🙂

    Reply
  26. tiffini elektra x

    I love the shoes and the roses on the skirt. Such amazing lines in these etchings!

    Reply
  27. rel

    Corey,
    You are right..It does take courage to change. Since meeting you That couage doesn’t seem so elusive anylonger.
    rel

    Reply
  28. Colette

    Wonderful illustrations and words.
    Chapeau! képi! Casquette!!

    Reply

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