The right hat is sure to top off an enjoyable day at the races

The Aiken Steeplechase is the perfect excuse to dust off your spring dresses and a fancy hat to watch the races.

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Historically, a hat is said to be lucky. Logistically, it will help keep the sun off your face when you're outside all day.

Kentucky Derby-style hats can be pricey, so why not make one? All you need is an idea of what you'll wear on the day of the event to prepare your materials (a red sundress with a pink-and-green hat wouldn't look fashionable).

First, find a plain, wide-brimmed hat. I found a couple of Croft & Barrow floppy straw hats at Kohl's for about $12. Try to find one that is as plain as possible. If it has a ribbon, remove it, if possible. You want a fresh canvas.

Go to a craft store to pick out a ribbon that will complement your dress. If you're wearing blues and greens, look for peacock feathers as an accent. If you're wearing pinks or reds, try silk flowers. Some hats you see in fashion photos have gauze on them. It's a good look, but tricky, because you might burn yourself with hot glue, or the glue will be messy and visible on the hat. When trying do-it-yourself, simple is better -- leave the complicated materials to the pros.

You'll need a hot-glue gun for this project; otherwise, a slight breeze might pull apart a carefully constructed hat.

Wrap the ribbon around the base of the crown. Secure it with hot glue at several points. Choose one side you'd like to decorate.

With feathers, flowers or ribbon (or all of them), create high, medium and low layers. As with flower and table arrangements, odd numbers look best.

Make sure to fill in gaps that could show ugly glue. When arranging feathers straight up, reinforce them with a short piece of ribbon over the line of the feathers' ends.

HAVE YOU FOUND A FASHIONABLE HAT SOMEWHERE? DO YOU HAVE A DIY HAT MASTERPIECE TO SHARE? COMMENT AT THE SHOPGIRL BLOG, AT AUGUSTACHRONICLE.COM/BLOGS/SHOPGIRL.