The races are coming, the races are coming!! The Virginia countryside will soon be dappled with ladies sporting their finest hats at steeplechase meets statewide. Ladies obsessed with their headwear are likely pulling inspiration from Downton Abbey, as the popular show has influenced many aspects of current fashion, including hats. The acclaimed series has very strong characters, particularly the female cast, full of wit, strength, intellect, beauty, and of course personal style. If you were a Downton character, whom would you be and what kind of hat would you sport?

The Dowager Countess of Grantham Violet Crawley, played impeccably by Maggie Smith, needn't use a hat to make her character colorful when her scripts are full of unforgettable one-liners. Always dressed appropriately, the Countess generally wears her Edwardian toque style hat at a 45 degree angle which sharpens her aristocratic facial features and adds extra edge to her words. A toque style hat was very appropriate for "mature" ladies of that era and the lavish, yet subtly decorated collection of the Countess defines her social status and trademarks her style.

The Countess of Grantham, Cora Crawley, speaks softly and infrequently but when she feels strongly about something her quips can sometimes overshadow those of her mother in law. Her typical cartwheel styled picture hats often overshadow her face and are quite wide for her narrow frame, but they are always beautiful, very flowery, and soft, just like Cora. If Violet could comment on Cora's hats, I'd suspect she'd remark that they were slightly ostentatious and not entirely proper….perhaps a little too "new money." But what could she expect from an American?

Lady Mary Crawley is a multi faceted trendsetter as well as that catty bitch we love to hate. Sometimes a promiscuous lover, devoted wife, attentive mother, shrewd business woman and sportsman that likes to outshine the boys, her layers evolve with every episode- as does her fashion. Lady Mary can be seen in many hat styles from picture hats to cloches, top hats to elaborate, formal headpieces. Always stylish and impeccably put together, Mary's confidence in personality makes her a widely loved fan favorite. She really could wear a paper bag and look amazing, but she would only wear a paper bag if someone else wore it first.

Lady Edith's character is as homely and lost as her wardrobe. An intellect who is begging for attention and in desperate need of a "barbaric yawp", she doesn't bother with style because she will never overshadow Mary. This middle-child sibling tension is the English, upperclass version of "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha" sans center part and polyester. Edith generally wears an unremarkable cloche because she is desperately wanting someone to appreciate her without decoration.

Though a character of only a few seasons, Lady Sybil was a refreshing burst of progressive energy in a political-ly stagnant culture. She wore flattering cloches and bonnets suitable for her age and spirit. Mary is the oldest, most beautiful, sometimes tawdry and adored sister, but Sybil wore the pants, married the chauffeur and was 100% true to herself- no hat necessary.

Regardless of which character resonates with YOUR inner aristocrat, remember the cardinal rule: wear the hat, don't let the hat wear you.