CITYist

One more month—if we just make it through one more month, then it’s practically spring; and, then, it’s practically summer, and we’ll be sitting on a beach lounging by the water’s edge… practically. But, as we lounge in our bikinis, sipping our ice-cold lemonades, we should also be protecting ourselves from the sun, and we might as well look chic while we do it. ZINGARA’s 2011 collection of hats is just the accessory that every girl needs in these much-anticipated upcoming months of warmth and happiness.

Accessories compliment the outfit. Hats, by Block, make the outfit. With their playful designs, Block Headwear, created by designer Ciomi McCabe, adds flair and ingenuity sure to enhance any New Yorker’s already high confidence.

When the thermometer starts topping 100 and not even an iced coffee will do, it’s time to reassess your fashion options. Of course, the heat and its effects can’t always be avoided, so it’s best to do what any girl would: fight back against the sun with shades and hats, cleverly apply bronzer and wear as few clothes as possible.

Don’t you ever wish it was the 20s or the 30s again, when everyone wore hats? (We do.) It would add a whole new dimension to your accessory arsenal. Luckily, Gigi Burris, an NYC-based milliner, feels no need to play by the rules. Her romantic, whimsical hats and headpieces, created in collaboration with vintage shop Screaming Mimi’s, are the perfect quirky addition to any downtown girl’s ensemble.