(Nope, it's not a leaf. It's a bird!)
I purchased this ski hat at the beginning of 2008 when I was living in Chicago. It is a simple knit cap made by Burton, the snowboard company, and I chose it because it represented for me a winter hat that foreshadows the coming of Spring (a little ray of hope in what can be a harsh Chicago winter). And it really is a city hat, for it offers little protection against possible mishaps in the mountains.
Unfortunately for my hat, I wear a helmet when I'm on the slopes. And apparently it's a good thing that I do - not just for protecting my head, but for protecting others' heads as well as they turn around and stare.
As I mentioned above, I've had this head warmer for the past three years. Previously, I don't think that I had received any comments other than a few teasing remarks about the pompom on top.
But apparently Parisians love it!
I have been wearing it for the past couple of days and have received shockingly effusive compliments from acquantainces and strangers alike.
"Wow! That's a great hat!"
"You're hat is beautiful!"
"That's a really cool hat!"
A guy to his wife/partner while they are stopped on the sidewalk to attend to their baby: "Now I need at hat like that!"
(I am acutely aware that some may be making fun of me as well, but at least they are bold and obsequious in their mockery.)
I have to admit, I'm always a little self-conscious when I put it on, particularly in Paris. It doesn't really fit it with the trend of dark colors and sleek styles. But I guess I'm not very Parisian. And now, with all the attention, I realize that my hope of moving around inconspicuously in the green hat with the pompom have been dashed.
"Look, there goes the girl with the green bird hat!" snicker, snicker, snicker...
Nonetheless, I think I'll keep wearing it. It fits my head comfortably, and keep both my head and my ears warm and cozy on these cold and damp winter days in the French capital.
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