I actually had the idea for this blog post after I was contacted by a reader who wanted some suggestions for a hat. Her son’s wedding was coming up and she said that she’s regarded as being stylish, and to interpret that as added pressure… Oh, I know the feeling! When you’re a fashion blogger you feel the pressure to live up to certain expectations and always bang the fashionista drum.
(I usually get introduced as a fashion blogger to someone new when I’m least expecting it and wearing tracky bots and an old jumper… I get a look that says, “Really? A fashion blogger?!” Yep, can’t you tell…)
The other point that my reader made was that although she (like me) is a keen hat wearer, she wasn’t one for fascinators.
This too I can identify with.
I think there’s a fine line between being a stylish mother of the bride (or groom) and looking like a “typical” MOTB. I’m never very impressed with what I see specifically presented in the shops as MOTB outfits or hats. I always feel they are very mumsey: Lots of old-fashioned florals, boxy jackets and pastels… sinamay fascinators/giant hats with bouncy coq feathers.
The same goes for wedding guest hats and fascinators. I know of some people that absolutely detest fascinators, I think the typical sinamay style with coq feathers has been done to death because they’ve been around for so many years. As you probably know I’m all for the notion of #iwillwearwhatilike – and if someone loves that style of fascinator then I say go for it! – but to look modern and less mumsey I think it’s time to move on from that style.
Firstly, where should you go for more unusual wedding guest headgear? I’d say avoid the obvious department stores or you’ll only end up with the run of the mill hats and fascinators. Here are my best suggestions for places to shop for more unique (and more stylish) hats:
Accessorize: Always a good on-trend selection.
ASOS: As above, though the number of wedding-suitable hats they have is somewhat limited this year.
Etsy: The choices are endless, you’ll find just about ANYTHING on Etsy. If you see one you quite like, go to it and visit the seller’s store, you’ll find more that are similar that might just be perfect.
Notonthehighstreet: Lots of hats and fascinators by indie sellers for a wide variety of tastes.
Village Hats: This retailer is brilliant, they sell a HUGE number of hats in every style and colour imaginable. They’re not dictated by trends, so if you want a boater, a bowler or a beret, you’ll find it there.
Obviously that’s entirely up to you and your personal style/taste (and the dress code). However, if you’re unsure and want something different from what’s readily available in the average department store, the hat styles I’d consider are:
A smart straw hat or Panama
A wide-brimmed or floppy hat
A cloche
A vintage-style hat (40s, 50s and 60s styles especially)
A modern, non-mumsey fascinator (yes, they do exist!)
– as I said this is not only dependent on what your personal style is but also what type of wedding you’re going to.
As for specific hats I’ve found online, these are the most gorgeous, creative and unusual. They most definitely won’t all be to everyone’s taste, but hopefully there’ll be a few that appeal.
A few of the styles I’ve suggested are more on the pricey side, but they tend to be the handmade or custom made ones (often available in many colours so do click through and check). However with the pricier ones you WILL get something that’s very unique and unlike anything other guests are wearing (always my number one priority at a wedding, even over comfort).
But I think if you wear an amazing hat, you can wear it with the plainest of dresses and you will look incredible. Here are my 34 picks, and don’t forget to tell me…
WHAT DO YOU WEAR ON YOUR HEAD AT WEDDINGS? A HAT, A FASCINATOR OR NOTHING? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB! (and scroll down for the link up)
Panamas or boaters are your best bet as they look great on just about everyone. Go for white or off-white rather than a deeper natural colour, it’ll look less “on holiday”. Panama hats always look smart and modern, and if you suit a boater hat you’ll pull off the smart, preppy look beautifully. This hat will be a great investment as it looks good with anything in the summer. For example…
From top row, left to right:
Off-white Panama with olive green band | Off-white straw fedora with brown ribbon and feather
Boater with navy ribbon | Off-white Panama with black ribbon
Off-white Panama with beige ribbon | Wide brim Panama with floral ribbon
White Panama with black ribbon | Boater with navy and white ribbon
These vary widely in style but if the style is reasonably simple (without all the fussy corsages and feathers on top) you’ll look super chic. Spend as much as you can so it doesn’t look like a cheap sun hat. It’s up to you how big you go. For example…
From top, and left to right:
Black and white wide brim with bow
Rose gold floppy hat (dress it up with a long ribbon tied in a bow so it drapes down the back)
Floppy straw hat with black ribbon | Floppy hat with gingham band
This is a love-them-or-hate-them style, but if they’re paired with wide leg trousers, for example (as opposed to a long straight skirt), you won’t look like you’re in 20s flapper fancy dress or trying to be an extra in Downton Abbey. You basically need to take a vintage style and pair it with something from a different decade to make it look modern, so trousers are an excellent choice for a cloche. For example…
From top, left to right:
Natural cloche with green ribbon | Cloche sun hat with brown ribbon
White chiffon cloche with rose | Midnight blue polka dot cloche
Like cloche hats you’ll either love these or hate these, so this is my wild card. I think if you like them and they suit you they’re a great choice – you just need to make sure you don’t wear a pillbox with a boxy jacket and pencil skirt, for example, or you’ll look like you’re in 60s fancy dress (however if you want to go for that look then definitely do it)! I adore all of these…
From top, left to right:
Straw halo headpiece (custom colours) | Red cocktail hat (custom colours) | Navy straw pillbox | Brown Jackie O style pillbox
Orange pillbox with bow detail | Two tone pillbox hat (custom colours) | Saucer-shaped hat with optional birdcage veil
Don’t rule out all fascinators. If you go to the right places you can find some beautiful, creative styles – they’re often more “out there” but they’re a good alternative to wearing a hat if you think you might be the only one wearing something on your head (like I was at a wedding in this outfit. Not even the MOTB wore a hat, and it was a white wedding).
Etsy is THE place to go for “non-fascinator fascinators”, if you see what I mean… For example these ones are utterly, utterly fabulous:
From top, left to right:
Velvet hair bow (choice of colours) | Zip and felt fascinator (choice of colours) | Black feather flowers crown
Blush pink and silver disc | Rhinestone and feather flapper headband | French navy velour pillbox
Felt cocktail hat with leather rose | Red feather and pearl fascinator | Halo crown fascinator
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