Summer has arrived, and Royal Ascot starts this week. This means hat season is officially here. But how to choose a hat that is perfect for you?
How To Choose A Hat
Choosing a hat can be daunting, particularly if you have not worn one before. These tips from Katherine Elizabeth Millinery can help. Katherine designs beautiful, one of a kind hats, which are all handmade in her London studio.
I love hats and I have a number in my collection. Any of the hats I personally am wearing in this post were designed by Liz Felix, a local milliner whose shop sadly closed due to the economic pressures of Covid-19. All other photographs were provided by Katherine Elizabeth Millinery (for credits please see the photographs) and were used with permission.
Inspired by nature and architecture, Katherine uses sustainable fabrics and adornments where possible. She has created hats for Lily Allen, Dita von Teese and designed the hat for the official Catherine Middleton Royal Wedding doll.
How To Choose A Hat – Top Tips
Consider The Shape of Your Face
Different hats suit different face shapes. The hat should compliment but also be the opposite of your face shape. For example, if you have a round face, wearing a round hat can accentuate this. Therefore, it is better to choose a hat which has a more architectural shape, perhaps one that has a bit of a slant to it.
If you have a square jaw as I do, it is best to choose a hat that appears more round, with softer edges and a more feminine shape. This will help soften the angles in your face.
Choose a Style You Feel Comfortable With
It’s important to choose a hat that makes you feel beautiful and comfortable. However, at Ascot, it’s definitely okay to push the boundaries – the bigger, the better!
Take Your Height Into Consideration
When considering how to choose a hat, it’s a good idea to bear your height in mind. If you are short in stature, a hat can add some height. However, it’s important to be sure that the hat is no wider than your shoulders. If it is, it can make you look shorter instead of taller.
Think About Colour
It’s important to choose the right colour hat for you so that it lifts you and makes your eyes sparkle. You definitely want to complement or match your dress, but the hat also needs to complement your skin and eye colour.
Why Wear a Hat?
Wearing a hat can really enhance your outfit for any occasion and also help you to stand out in the crowd. It can be really fun to experiment with different styles. And of course, here in the UK, there are some events where hats are required as part of the dress code.
When Should I Wear a Hat?
Formal hats are more appropriate for weddings, Royal Ascot, Ladies Day at the horse races or The Henley Regatta. However, a lovely sun hat or fun fedora in the spring or summer or fur hat, cloche or a fedora in the winter can really elevate your style.
Whenever you choose to wear a hat, be sure to have fun with it and let your style shine though!
This is not a sponsored post.
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Comments & Reviews
April, your hats are beautiful and they look so lovely on you! I wish we wore fancy hats like that in the states!
Hugs,
Tee xo
Thank you so much, Tee! Hugs xo
I love the top one in pink and the middle right one in ivory. I wish hat-wearing would make a comeback. Good tips about considering facial shape.
So many gorgeous hats! So sad to hear the shop has closed.
It is sad, but I am hoping Liz will re-open another shop one day. She still designs hats, and has some stock she is selling still from the shop, so fingers crossed. I am very taken with Katherine Elizabeth’s hats as well 🙂 You can never have too many hats 😉
Hello. Formal hats are not de rigeur at Henley Royal Regatta as stated in your article. Even in the Stewards’ Enclosure, a brimmed straw hat with simple decoration is all that is required. I hope that is helpful.
Hello Pilchard,
I’m afraid you mis-read my article. At no point did I state they were required or de rigeur (“out of strict etiquette”) at Henley Regatta. I wrote, “Formal hats are more appropriate for weddings, Royal Ascot, Ladies Day at the horse races or The Henley Regatta”.” Here I would like to emphasise my use of the words “more appropriate for”.
I often see very formal hats worn in situations where they feel a little out of place. For example, I have seen very formal hats worn to cocktail receptions, afternoon tea etc. The purpose of this statement was to suggest that for these events or day to day wear, something less formal might be more appropriate.
We belong to Phyllis Court, a private member’s club on the banks of the Thames, directly across from the Stewards’ Enclosure. At Phyllis Court, there is a strict dress code for the Regatta in line with the dress code across the river. Women are simply “encouraged” to wear hats and by tradition these are often of a more formal variety, which adds to the wonderful atmosphere on the day. However, if women wish to wear more informal hats, or no hats at all, that is perfectly acceptable. I have noticed the same thing across the river, where the dress code for the Regatta reads “Whilst not a requirement, it is customary for ladies to wear hats.”
Best wishes,
April