With wedding season upon us and Ascot only a week away, it’s time to up your hat game!
Expert milliner and Experience host Sarah-Jayne, who trained with the masters and has dressed the heads of ladies from London to Paris, has teamed up with Airbnb to guide racegoers through the minefield with her Hat-Etiquette guide.
From dodging accessory overkill to not swamping a small frame, here are Sarah’s top ten tips on Hat-Etiquette:
- This season we are seeing a lot of soft lace and floral designs in blush tones, so pastels teamed with cream or off-white will no doubt be a great choice for a summer wedding.
- Don’t go overboard with accessories – a statement necklace with a detailed headpiece will look too fussy so opt for one or the other.
- If you’re off to Royal Ascot a hat or a fascinator is a must! Just remember that for the Royal Enclosure your hat must also meet the strict dress code. For these VIP tickets, fascinators are a no-go and any headpieces must have a solid base of at least 10cm – you have been warned!
- If you’re looking to turn heads at the races, choosing a brightly colored fascinator will definitely make you stand out! Go for block colors in a vibrant shade off-set with jet black for real va-va-voom!
- If you have a long face, balance out the length by wearing a hat that sits to the side with a wider brim. A squarer face shape is often softened by rounded styles or a veil, don’t be afraid to try a variety of styles and see which works best for you!
- It is personal choice which side to wear your fascinator, but I’d suggest wearing it on the side where your hair parts – with the fullest side of your hair on show.
- If you’re petite – a delicate feather fascinator or a smaller sized headpiece tilted to one side, which isn’t wider than your shoulders, will work well.
- For those with a round face shape – balance this out with a headpiece containing long feather quills or sinamay twists, this will add height and elevation, elongating your face.
- Ladies with a heart or oval-shaped face are lucky enough to be able to wear almost any shaped hat so try out your adventurous side and go for something outrageous!
- Modern disc-style hats, like pill-box fascinators, are soaring in popularity. These are secured in place by a comb or on satin covered hairbands that can easily be disguised in your hair, a great look for summer!
An accomplished Milliner, Sarah-Jayne trained in London under the guidance of several well-known millinery designers. Having lived and worked in both London and Paris, her designs capture the elegance and charm of the truly classic women but with a modern flare. Sarah’s newest collaboration is with the popular dress line ‘Bombshell’, look out for her range of wedding and occasion headwear launching later this month.
Check availability of Sarah-Jayne’s millinery Experience here.