From simple, stylish fascinators adorned with delicate feathers to big, bold hats bursting with colour, there is something out there to suit everyone.
Philip Treacy, red hat, £99, (Forget-me-Not, 11 High St, Coltishall, NR12 7AA
01603 738161)
Cappelli Condici black and white hat, £79 (Forget-me-Not, see above)
Ispirato, Amethyst hat, £175, (Dreams Bridal, 1 Wendover Rd, Rackheath, NR13 6LH, 01603 722340, www.dreamsbridalwear.co.uk)
Cappelli Condici, cream/silver hat, £225, (Dreams Bridal, see above)
LEFT to RIGHT (bottom)
Christiane, red and white fascinator, £55, (Forget-me-Not, see above)
Cappelli Condici, pink embroidery hat, £195, (Dreams Bridal, see above)
Red cranberry hatinator, £175, designed by Dreams, and can be ordered in any colour, £175 (Dreams Bridal, see above)
Christiane, orange and white fascinator, £55 (Forget-me-Not, see above)
Christiane, peacock fascinator, £100, (Forget-me-Not, see above)
Jane Anne Designs, black and white hatinator, £125, (Dreams Bridal, see above)
From simple, stylish fascinators adorned with delicate feathers to big, bold hats bursting with colour, there is something out there to suit everyone.
Whether you have a wedding to attend, a christening or a day at the races planned, a beautiful piece of headwear will transform any outfit.
Regina Flaxman, occasionwear manager and stylist for Dreams Bridal in Rackheath says that a many woman are surprised at just how fantastic they look in a hat.
“A lot of people think they don’t look good in a hat or fascinator but there really is a design out there to suit everyone. The hatinator – a cross between a hat and a fascinator – is a fantastic product because it looks great on everyone.
“Navy is really popular this summer. We have had a lot of navy and pink, navy and white, and of course black and white is still very popular.”
She says one of the most common problems is that when women try on a hat they do not wear it correctly.
“They pull it right down to the front and think it looks awful, and then assume that every hat will look awful. But a hat traditionally is meant to be on a tilt, a little bit to the side. If it is straight and pulled down, not only does it not sit right, it covers the face. You need to come in with an open mind in terms of style and colour, and get some advice on what suits you.”
Accessories can transform any outfit, and Regina says a plain, simple dress can be brought to life with the right hat. “You might have an event coming up and already have a dress in your wardrobe in mind, but don’t want to wear the same thing again for an event. Bring it in, and with the right hat, shoes and handbag, it will create a completely new look and it will look sensational.”
If you love vintage fashion, there are some very special pieces available, most of which have only been worn once. At Forget-me-Not in Coltishall, owner Carol Harmer specialises in secondhand hats and fascinators.
“Most of them have hardly been worn and look like new. But it means you can often get a designer hat or authentic vintage design for a fraction of the price. Some of our hats have quite a history; they have been worn at some very prestigious events.”
