Paris Hilton certainly made an impact in London when she stopped by Selfridges to promote her new fragrance, Can Can. She not only channeled Sarah Jessica Parker by wearing an unusual hat (which, though we're in the minority, we kind of love -- just maybe not on Paris), she also stole the spotlight from Victoria Beckham who had decided to actually take the trouble to promote her denim line down the street at Harrods.

We remember being in school and getting in trouble for wearing hats. "But, sir," we'd politely say to the principal, "it's not a baseball cap -- it's a fashion statement." Plus we were having a bad hair day.

Principals don't always care about fashion statements, or bad hair days, for that matter. But we do, and we've spent the last several years making up for all those day we couldn't wear hats in school by wearing them everywhere else.

If you live in Boston, or ever visited, you know that Red Sox gear is as ubiquitous as The Lottery. And there are so many items from which to choose: tshirts, jackets, the Alyssa Milano line of crazy dresses and tanks, and of course, the classic baseball hat.

The thing is, those giant man brims look hideous on a small woman's head. We've cringed many times at photos from BBQs where it looks like we're wearing a duck costume. Is that a brim or a bill?

It's a challenge for stylish ladies who want to show their pride in the reigning world champion team.

Until Alyssa does some feminine hats, we're stuck with the ladies' hat section of the Yawkey Way Store. Our favorites, like this hot black satin and lace number, in the gallery.

Go Red Sox!

Kentucky Derby fashion is most excellent, escpecially the hats. They are truly the definition of fabulous, and they just wouldn't do anywhere else.

However, not everyone can afford to spend $100 or more on a hat that might not be worn more than once, especially if it's just for a party and not for the Derby itself. In that case, you might want to create your own hat.

Styledash has discovered a new fashion trend that is sweeping the nation (very, very slowly): Army-panda-chic.

This is an army hat. Okay. It has a red star and fifteen pins on it. Okay. The pins are mostly panda bears, and we also appear to have Hewey, Dewey, and Louie, those scrappy nephews of Scrooge McDuck. WTF?

The Kentucky Derby brings with it so much excitement -- the parties, the betting, the race itself -- but none of that comes close to the excitement of the fashions.

Of course, the hats are the main draw -- from the fabulously funky to the terribly tacky, unique hats (for the men as well as for the ladies) are an absolute must. But one can't get away with wearing only a hat to the Derby. (Seriously. Don't try it.) When it comes to clothing, here's what you can expect:

My hat it has three corners
Three corners has my hat
And had it not three corners
It would not be my hat!

Remember that song from when you were little? We do. We think it was usually taught to American 3-7 year olds when talking about colonial America, which they do a lot in American schools until you turn about 7 (old enough to start asking hard questions).

But look! We found the hat! Two of them!

We all know that a hat can make or break what would otherwise be a boring outfit. They can be the perfect accessory because they're so easy. Throw one on, cover up unwashed hair and add a little chic to your day to day wardrobe. Headbands will do the same. So, of course, since it's Earth Day, we found some great organic options for you.

If your favorite show on TV is MILF Island, then you are in luck. Don't let the fact that the show doesn't actually exist, yet, keep you from showing your support. We understand that there is also talk of a potential, and equally fictional, spin-off.

The sun is getting brighter and the days are getting longer, and for most of us that means more days out having fun in the sun. We certainly hope that sunscreen is simply an automatic for you at this point, but wouldn't you like another, more dramatic looking way to protect your face from the sun's rays?

Really, Doxies5? This is your photo? WTF.

Here we have a felt hat with weird tassels. The hat itself is a little crazy, but what's with the head it's on?

It's like somebody drew a face on this styrofoam head and then sprayed it with acetone! The mouth is falling off and smudged, the eyes are wonky, and the cheeks are flushed with anger. It's as though the tassels are magnetically attracting the facial features. It sort of reminds me of a mime, but a dead one.

Is that a beauty spot?

This is not the greatest hat, but if Doxies5 would include the head in the price, you might be able to come up with a really good April Fool's Day prank. You know, by putting this head anywhere that people might see it.

I'd scream pretty loud if this showed up in my cubicle, I'm just saying.

I think it's looking at me.

Monday night on American Idol, Paula Abdul provided one of the most jaw-dropping, crazy fashion moments of her career.

As always, Jessica from Go Fug Yourself did a stellar job of expressing the shock and awe that Paula's black, silk, fingerless, opera-length gloves, plus -- PLUS! -- rhinestone accessories, inspired in all of us.

I was so inspired, that I went back and pulled together a gallery of some of Paula's most interesting sartorial hits. Honestly, she looks good more than she looks bad - no, really! - but when she goes off the rails, fasten your seatbelt!

Highlights of the exciting gallery include bright colors, gathered capris, ruffles, cleavage and one nutty Boy George hat.

Hats are huge right now, well, a huge trend that is ... the actual size of the hats seem to be shrinking. These two hats from Chapeau Claudette look like they walked straight out of a fairytale. I feel as if the models should be animated, wearing white gloves, and drinking tea with a white rabbit. All of that nonsense aside, I actually dig the hats.

While these hats aren't necessarily easy to pull off (you can't wear them to pick up a taco or walk down to the mailbox) you can make these hats look adorably chic. I would suggest wearing these tiny hats with an over-the-top tea dress for a fun and flirty look or, for a more demure look -- with a secretary blouse/ pencil skirt combination.

These hats are for sale on ASOS.com for about $65 USD (the site is a UK site). What do you think of tiny hats, chic or silly?

Hello. My name is Kristen, and I love hats. I always have -- in elementary school, when New Kids on the Block were sporting the black hats, I had them in every color. I like baseball caps. I like straw hats. I can rock a newsboy like nobody's business.

And that is why I jumped for joy to see this post at Fashiontribes -- elaborate hats are all the rage, apparently. And I'm going to ignore the fact that they're mostly talking about black women in church who have historically worn majestic millinery. I'm a white woman who doesn't spend much time at church, and I'm pretty sure I can still get away with a funky hat.

Knowing this, and with summer right around the corner, all I can think about is a completely fantastic Great Gatsby inspired hat. After some serious research (read: I Googled "Great Gatsby hats"), I found that Baron California Hats actually has a Great Gatsby collection.

So you want to be Crocodile Dundee, eh?

Look no further. On eBay, you can get this "original walk about hat" and fifteen inch knife (at right). For serious.

Let's talk about the hat. It's a little jaunty, isn't it? You'd have to have bionic testosterone powers to make that feather work.

Still, it's a little bit exciting--just not as exciting as the fifteen inch knife! Badass! Black leather sheath! Also badass!

Imagine striding around your parents' backyard wearing this hat and knife and spinning yarns of aboriginal splendor with an unspeakably goofy Australian accent. Doesn't that sound like fun? And then you could scrape the initials of a loved one into a tree, or carve a pumpkin or hack up a watermelon or something. I guess I don't know what one does with a fifteen inch knife in this day and age. You can't really hunt squirrels or normal North American backyard prey with it; that's like...not fair.

Jayswholesalestuff has a pretty amazing eBay store, I must admit. A red kerosene lamp, pinecones, pipes, pinups. In my head, Jay looks like the Brawny man and wants to be my boyfriend, but it will never work out because I'm not very outdoorsy.

I'm over it.