Milford Public Library staff Malea Johnson, Lee Baumgartner, Maureen Haab, Julie Frew, and Dorothy Haney all wear a hat to get ready for Jan. 15 “Wear a Hat Day.”

MILFORD — This year, Wear A Hat Day is Friday, Jan. 15 and the staff at Milford Public Library invites the public to join in the celebration.

Anyone wearing a hat in the library will receive a special treat. Why celebrate hats? Hats have been making a style statement since the early 1800s. Then people who wore hats were the gentlemen or elite people of the society. Someone wearing a hat instantly gives a positive impression. Hats lend a kind of sophistication to one’s attire.

Back in the day, people were judged by the kind of hat they wore. Some famous personalities are associated with a certain type of hat, like Abraham Lincoln, Charlie Chaplin or Queen Elizabeth. There is no evidence of when or how Hat Day began. Some people celebrate Hat Day by wearing a hat that projects their character, like a cowboy hat or baseball cap. Hats are not only a style statement but also help conserve body heat … pretty important during Indiana’s winter.

So, break out your favorite hat and wear it to the library on Jan. 15.