Air kisses not recommended at Hermann Park "Hats in the Park"

Mayor Annise Parker had a fashion dilemma Tuesday morning. She was scheduled to introduce the honoree at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Hats in the Park" luncheon. Everyone wears a hat. But the choices in her closet were limited, she told the sellout gathering of 300.

Would it be her rodeo western hat, her bicycle helmet or her hiking hat? Rather than risk a fashion faux pas, Parker opted to go hatless.

The mayor was definitely in the minority among the women and sprinkling of men, almost all of whom donned sporty, frothy, sophisticated and, occasionally, downright strange headwear.

Leaders of the high-style fashion parade were luncheon chairs Jana Arnoldy and Linda Hunsaker, there early and consequently among the first to learn that wide-brimmed hats and air kisses are mutually exclusive. More than a few over-sized chapeaus were titled askew by attempts at that oh-so-social greeting.

Honoree Ann Hamilton, who led the grant office of Houston Endowment for 18 years, donned a bright red straw number bedecked in red roses — a tribute she said to Elyse and Bob Lanier, who have a penchant for roses and for whom the conservancy award was named.

Parker actually would have been at home in her western hat. An entire table of ladies, including Paula Robinson, wife of RodeoHouston chairman Charles "Butch" Robinson, and table hostess Miriam Westmoreland, kept in step with the rodeo season by wearing their Stetsons and Resistols.

In this third year since Ann Short and Susie Criner founded the "Hats in the Park" luncheon, patron-dedication to amazing hats has intensified. Consider Mindy Hildebrand's sweeping organza number with a brim so broad that it practically swept the shoulders of her table mates. And there were plenty of Philip Tracey's exotic creations — worn by Lynn Wyatt, Sheridan Williams, Nidhika Mehta, Karen Bradshaw — and more than a few beautiful confections by our town's Gabriela Dror.

Despite weather predictions of rain and wind, it turned out to be a beautiful breezy day with plenty of sunshine and an abundance of spring colors that made everyone sigh with relief over winter's demise. Among those rejoicing in the moment of spring were Carol Linn, Ann Bookout, Kelli Blanton, Beth Sanders Moore, Cathy Brock, and an entire table of women, led by Mary Smith, who opted to leave their hats at home.