From Sunday church traditions to running her own boutique, Minnie, a senior living resident at Holiday Greenwood Terrace in Lenexa, Kansas, reminisces about style, confidence and the joy of self-expression.
Q: When did you start wearing hats? Was it something you did as a little girl?
A: Oh yes, I wore hats when I was a little girl. But I really started wearing them when I got involved in church. Back in my day, women wore hats to church. It’s just what you did. I don’t feel like a lady is properly dressed in church without one. If she has a beautiful suit on, she needs a hat or at least a fascinator.
Q: So, your church outfit isn’t complete without a hat?
A: Exactly.
Q: Is that kind of like the saying, “The higher the hair, the closer to God?” Or in your case, the higher the hat?
A: I’ve never heard that one before! That’s a good one.
Q: What do you enjoy most about collecting, styling and wearing hats?
A: Honestly, the hat just makes me feel complete. When I go to church on Sunday and I don’t have a hat on, I don’t feel like I’m fully dressed.
Q: How does it make you feel when people compliment your hats??
A: It makes me feel good. It lets me know I’m looking my best. When I walk out that door, I want to feel good about myself. And it’s not really to impress anyone. I just love wearing hats. It’s for me.
Q: You mentioned you once owned a boutique. Can you tell us about that?
A: Oh gosh, that was about 25 years ago. We had a boutique inside of a Harold Pener’s store. Those were really popular back then, but there aren’t any around here anymore. A friend of mine and I partnered up. We went to Texas to buy from the garment district, hats, suits, furs – all kinds of things. All my fur coats came from that boutique because I could get them wholesale.
Q: Sounds like you had the fashion hookup.
A: Oh absolutely. Some of those hats sold for four, five, even six hundred dollars. But I didn’t pay that, of course. That’s the benefit of being in the business.
Q: Where was your boutique located?
A: It was over on Bannister Road near 95th and 435, in Missouri, not far from Overland Park.
Q: Do you still wear hats to church on Sunday?
A: Of course! I wouldn’t feel dressed without one!
Q: Who had the biggest influence on your sense of style?
A: The pastor’s wife at church.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Q: What do you enjoy most about living at Holiday?
A: The location, the people and the staff. It’s a great place to live.
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