These days hats are often considered more ‘function’ than ‘fashion’. One of the functions they need to perform is covering the onslaught of hair loss caused by chemotherapy.

Having been through chemotherapy and the subsequent hair loss myself, I feel confident advising patients and their loved ones who need help in this area. During chemo, people either get very hot or very cold, resulting in frequent perspiration from the body and scalp. The scalp becomes very sensitive and as it loses hair it is likely to be easily irritated and sun sensitive. The complexion takes on a slight yellow or green cast and colours previously flattering may no longer be so. Many people are embarrassed, I know I was, when they begin to lose their hair and would like to cover the entire scalp area, not just the top of the head. I felt yellow, sweaty, self-conscious and unattractive. So what to do?

Hats! Scarves! Turbans and hoods! There are heaps of great options out there to put a spring of confidence in your step. Colour is always important and it’s especially true for cancer patients. Go for warm tones in pink, blue, soft reds, violets and lavenders, ivory, taupe, camel and peach. Stay away from yellow, green, bright orange, orange-red and black (don’t panic – you can still wear dark colours – try navy, burgundy and indigo). For perspiration, look for hats in a soft washable (by hand – NEVER machine wash a hat) fabric or one with a removable liner. Most people prefer to cover the entire hair growth area, so stay away from crowns that end above the top of the ear and brims that turn up to reveal the back of the head. Try berets, which cover the entire head and are an easy to wear first hat; cloches, which pull right down over the head and are available in a huge array of styles this year; and wide brims that slope slightly downwards and have deep crowns. Since the scalp is sensitive, it is more important than ever to protect yourself from the sun’s rays as well as just making yourself feel more fashionable day to day. And don’t forget about scarves! We have a dazzling array of handmade silk scarves here in our store as well as creative and chic ways to wear them.

Parkhurst, a Canadian manufacturer, has a fabulous line of 100% cotton silky soft hats in a dozen great styles – all of which are one size, fashion-forward, packable, hand washable, and light enough to wear indoors at home or at work. You can find Parkhurst cotton sun hats, berets, pillboxes and 20′s style cloches in a variety of Spring colours in our online store.

We also offer a few special services to chemo patients. In our store you may take a selection of hats into a separate room and try them on in private. For on-line customers, you may order a few hats from us and keep only those that you like – sending the rest of them back to us for a refund or credit (minus shipping charges). We can place cotton or silk liners and/or head size ribbons into hats that are irritating to the skin. (Just pop the liner out and hand-wash it.)

A milliners’ experience can help you find the perfect hat to make you or that special friend look and feel your billion dollar best, especially if that milliner has had a similar experience to yours.