My happy pills.

Chin hair/forgotten appointments/accident claim calls all have a habit of coming along in pairs, as it seems do pillbox hats. I found both these treasures last week in my local Cancer Research UK and Oxfam shops, forking out £11 in total. IN TOTAL.

I love a hat in all forms, but believe me when I say that 5 minutes of a vertiginous titfer plus a clutch/a strong breeze/drink/small child/small dog is enough to ruin your party cool karma and leave you hat-less in a corner, nursing a tension headache and bad hat hair (shudder).

So, with the summer season fast approaching IMHO the pillbox is your go-to. Designed to mould to the crown, secured in place with a thin elastic band worn behind the back of the head, (not under the chin, as I have seen it styled, srsly) the pillbox is iconic: think Jackie O; Pan-Am air crew; Royals. Compared with the airiness of sinamay (from the stalks of the abaca tree, a native of the banana plant) the pillbox mixes satin, shot silk, crinoline and netting creating colour blocks of joy. Hair should always play second fiddle, let the hat do the talking.

The addition of netting got me throwing my £4 and £7 at the respective cashiers and having one of my happy chemical rushes, endorphins, I thank you. For netting does something magical to the face, adding a veil of colour; the illusion of levitating beauty spots (courtesy of chenille dots) and a layer of oooh-la-la mystic. Ignore the practicalities (eating, kissing, applying lippy) find a straw for your fizz and get mingling.

CJ x

Selfies and all images taken by me on my Apple iPhone 7, I'm not sponsored to say that (as of yet!) more to show you the quality of the camera.

Pink crinoline pillbox: Headways by Albert, Cancer Research UK, £4.

Emerald green feathered pillbox: Luton Hat Shop, Oxfam, £7.

Hot pink chiffon blouse and Marks and Spencer denim jacket, both preloved.

Amethyst dress ring and gold domed dress ring both model's own. Wearing Smashbox Cosmetics 'No Shame' eyeshadow.