The British are coming. The British are coming ... and wearing hats, of course! The royals across the pond have always had a penchant for donning dramatic headwear, and with the upcoming wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William, hats are once again making a fashion statement here and abroad.

But most of us probably won't be topping our spring outfits off with a daring hat like the ones London milliner Philip Treacy has designed for the likes of Lady Gaga and the royal wedding party. Instead, we may choose one of the big brim straw hats to wear to a festive occasion right here at home. Kentucky Derby party anyone? And we all know about the trick of plopping on a baseball cap for a bad hair day!

Here are a few tips from stylist and author Kendall Farr ("The Pocket Stylist," Gotham Books, $20) on making the most of wearing hats, whether you're going to a royal wedding or not:

— From a cotton bucket you wear in the rain to a felt fedora, any hat can make or break your look, since it can either increase or decrease the appearance and size of your head in relation to the rest of your body.

— When you try a hat on, look at yourself in a full-length mirror (three-way, ideally) to be sure it looks in proportion to your height, frame and overall silhouette. Have a look at a hat from the sides and the back to make sure that the shape and size flatter you from all angles.

— The crown of a hat should fit your head exactly in order to sit well and flatter your face. The brim of a hat can be any size that flatters your face and overall proportion.

— Color is another key consideration, according to Farr. Neutrals should add warmth to your skin tone, while color should flatter your skin tone like a good cosmetic.

— The stylist recommends sticking to universally appealing shapes, not only for fit but for an non-costumed look on the street: the beret, the bucket with either a short or medium brim, the small-brimmed fedora, wide brims, floppy brims (which are all the rage this spring and summer), and the classic golf or newsboy cap. Let's face it, not all of us want everyone to go "ga-ga" over our choice of headwear.

— The big brims that are popular this season do double-duty as dramatic accessories that protect us from harmful rays of the sun. If you're traveling, look for ones that are crushable and easy to pack.

— Farr warns against a big "don't" when it comes to wearing hats: "One absolute no in hat proportion," she says, " is a brim wider than your shoulders!"

— And unless you're attending a formal affair or meeting the Queen Mum herself, be careful about looking too matronly when wearing hats. A more youthful Kate Middleton has reinvented the new "hat and glove" look, but she truly is a princess who has the royal touch.

— And if a hat isn't your style — you know who you are and your closet is stacked with hats you have never worn — then try one of the new Bohemian headwraps or decorated headband fascinators for a more formal occasion. And remember, that baseball cap will always do in a pinch.

Image: Hats are back this spring and summer as statement-making accessories for the royal wedding party and guests. Here at home, the big straw brim like this one at Banana Republic is making a comeback on the runways. Photo courtesy of Gap Inc.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association.