A missed social opportunity for Gov. Perdue

When I looked back at photos of the recent Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon, it struck me that Gov. Beverly Perdue, who was being honored at the event, was one of the only women in a room of hundreds who didn't have on the one accessory the event is known for: a hat.

Since Maya Angelou began hosting the fundraiser for UNCF (United Negro College Fund) 10 years ago, the event is known for the fabulous hats the guests wear, and the fun hat contest that's a highlight of the luncheon.

It reminded me of when Samantha Cameron, the wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron, committed a fashion faux pas by not wearing a hat to the Royal Wedding last year. Because she doesn't like to wear hats, she bucked tradition and wore a small jeweled clip in her hair instead. The rabid British press were merciless in their critcism of her in their coverage of the festivities. SamCam, as she's known across the pond, was slammed for showing a lack of respect for the occasion. 

I wouldn't go that far in my observation of our governor's own fashion faux pas, but it was disappointing.

I talked with an insider at the event and her take on it was that they were just glad she was there, which of course is the most important thing. But she also added that the governor "would have been the rage of the luncheon" if she had indeed shown up in a hat.

To me, it was a missed opportunity on her part to truly connect with the other guests and show she was fully engaged in the event.

You never know what goes on behind the scenes in the life of a busy leader, so I don't want to be too critical. She could have accidentally left her hat at home. Or maybe she wasn't aware of how important it is to wear a hat to the event.

But one of the neat things about the luncheon is that it's also a fantastic place to buy a hat because vendors are there selling some truly unique and beautiful hats and fascinators. Wouldn't it have been fun if the governor, realizing her error, had  bought one from a vendor?