How To Make A Fascinator Work For You

Seeing the words “dress code: hats/fascinators required” can strike fear into even the most sartorially brave amongst us, conjuring up images of frumpy aunties at weddings or tragically-dressed race-goers splashed on the cover of a tabloid newspaper. Yet as Kate Middleton has proven time and time again, there is a way to make a fascinator chic. Still not convinced? Here are the golden rules for finding one that works for you…

1. Keep it simple

Wearing a fascinator can be intimidating, especially if you’re not a natural ‘hat person’. The easiest way to make it work for you is to keep it simple. Avoid anything brightly coloured, patterned or garishly decorated; steer clear of sequins, diamantés and other bling, too – trust us, it’ll only make you feel more uncomfortable. Instead, opt for a classic, chic colour palate (black, navy and grey are your friends) with minimal detailing – think small pillbox hat on elastic, not an oversized explosion of multi-coloured feathers.

2. Consider a headband

Luckily for fascinator-phobes, headbands have made a major comeback for spring/summer 2016 thanks to Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Chanel. Cheat your way to nailing the dress code by picking one that’s bolder than a simple Alice band; think bunny ears à la Maison Michel. No one will know the difference.

3. Know your good side

Most fascinators are worn at a slight angle; know which is your good side (hint: the easiest way to find out is to click through you Facebook profile pictures and see which way you’re looking in most of them…) and emphasise that. If you’ve got a sweeping fringe or a deep side parting, wear it on the opposite side, otherwise you might look a little side-heavy.

4. Think about the fabric

For the summer, straw feels lighter and more season-appropriate (especially when paired with an on-trend straw bag), while in winter, we think velvet looks more luxurious (and is probably a little warmer, too).

5. It’s all about balance

If you’re going for a sleek, neat chignon at the nape of the neck, or a straight, simple hairstyle, you can probably get away with wearing a bigger, bolder style. Likewise, if you’ve got big, bouncy curls, it’s probably best to play it down a little with a simple comb style.

6. Wear one to match your personality

Just because you’re out of your sartorial comfort zone, doesn’t mean you should forget your own personal style. The trick is to find something that feels ‘you’; whether it’s sticking to black because that’s your day-to-day uniform, or wearing net lace because you like channelling retro fashion. It’s a lot of trial and error: try on as many as you can until you find one that fits.

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