Hats Off to Hat Tricks! Hockey and Otherwise

In case anyone wants to know, that's Phoebe at the far right wearing a hat at a technology company picnic back in 2000 at the South Shore Country Club in Chicago, a few minutes from the Obamas' Chicago digs. Yes, the photo may be blurry, but the memories she has regarding that day are quite sharp. That hat blew off of her head, rolled toward a young child and almost put a toddler's eye out with that pointy top! With great hats come great responsibilities.

One of the hottest chicks in the hat game, Mimi Wendell, recently passed away in NYC at the tender age of 94. Ms. Mimi did the words, "Mad Hatter" proud. (What doesn't relate back to Alice in Wonderland? Nada!)


Any Brim Way, Mimi had over 150 hats and regarded them a physical necessity, like oxygen. At age 81 she and her hats began a film career that included appearances in "Sex and the City," roles as the snoring woman at the wedding in "Hearburn," a diner choking on an olive in "Hitch," and ads for Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Juicy Coture and at 90 was named one of "The 50 Most Beatiful New Yorkers" by New York magazine.

"I keep telling my daughter, my granddaughter," she said, "If you don't wear a hat, you're missing it." Truer words were never spoken.