Let’s rewind thirty years, shall we? I’m auditioning for drama school in London, and one of my future teachers presents me with a big box of marvelous hats. “Pick one, then you have five minutes to prepare a sketch,” I’m told…

As my teacher knew, hats are magical things. You can become anyone you want to be when you put on a new hat. Reinvent yourself and feel transformed, just for that brief moment when you’re wearing something different on your head.

I’m sure you all have or had a dress-up box for your kids at home. We’ve been collecting stuff for years, despite attempts to spring clean, and while princess dresses and superhero capes come and go, our hat box is sacred. I mean, you never know, Mom, really…

Party hats, carnival costumes, accessories to create brilliant disguises–welcome to the Land of Make Believe. I do hope you’ll play along with me.

Linen Party Hat & Flower Princess Crown
available from $18 at colette bream on etsy 

Neither of these sweet linen hats are particularly new or elaborate, but Colette Bream’s delightful styling conveys the fun in simple, imaginative play. Both are handmade from linen, and the party hat is available in several beautiful colors.

Gnome Mushroom Cone Hat
available for $15 from hunting faeries on etsy

The Hunting Faeries shop on Etsy is a little treasure trove filled with reasonably priced, handmade costumes for your little ones. If I had to pick one hat for myself (yes, that’s right, for myself!), it would be this beautiful Gnome Cone, guaranteed to provide hours of magical, creative play. Hmmm…

Bat Hat
available from $48 at oeuf

Put on one of Oeuf’s baby alpaca Bat Hats and you’ll be a super stylish superhero all winter long. Eye-catching and eco-friendly, this hat will get plenty of everyday wear before becoming a firm favorite in the dress-up box. To the Batmobile!

Paper Chef’s Hat
available for $1.82 from milk & paper

Every time we have a baking session at home, my youngest son Miles insists on looking the part. He made and decorated his own chef’s hat years ago in kindergarten, so that obviously makes the hat-wearing ceremony all the more special. Milk & Paper’s paper hats are super affordable and would make great birthday presents or stocking stuffers at Christmas for anyone, big or small, who likes to create in the kitchen.

Little UTHA Shaman Headpiece
available for $129 from utha hats on etsy

I love UTHA Hat’s tribal headgear, not only for wear and imaginative play, but also for decoration. Bright, colorful, and fun, these crocheted headpieces look stunning and are guaranteed to turn a few heads, I’d say!

Pictured at top of post: Eco-Felt Robin Hood Hat, available for $10 from Tiny Disguises on Etsy.