I learned many of my best life lessons by reading Laura Ingalls Little House on the Prairie series. It triggered my love of handmade clothing, adventure, and the importance of a good hat. And this soon-to-be-sunny season has the functional and fashionable item popping up in a big way. If you’re like me and feel you’re not really a “hat person,” the best motivation is to recall that there is no better eye cream and wrinkle fighter ever than a good sun hat. Plus, you can pretend to be Christie Brinkley in Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl music video, or Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. The styles on the runway (think Marc Jacobs, Trina Turk, Missoni and Prada) range from retro-inspired floppy hats, futuristic sculptured pieces, and colorful brights. You can go from classic chic to trendy and funky and if you’re feeling very Ingalls-esque – the bonnet.