Few women regularly wear hats in the 21st century, but wedding hats and now fascinators are fashionable. So, trying on and buying the right hat or fascinator is likely to be a new experience. Even if you feel that you’re not really a hat person, there are so many different styles and designs of wedding hats that there’s sure to be something that suits you.
It’s one that you should look forward to and enjoy – there’s a hat that’s right for everyone, whatever your face shape or hairstyle.
Stylish Wedding Hats & Headwear
Hats have always been a stylish accessory to wear to a wedding, from the cloche hats of the 1920’s right through to the stylish designs sported by Princess Diana in the early days of her marriage. Designers like Philip Treacy have brought hats
back as the latest style items for top designers such as Chanel, Valentino and Versace.
As hats are now often worn only on special occasions, it’s not surprising that few women feel confident choosing or wearing them.
If your wedding budget permits, visiting a milliner will enable you to try on a variety of designs, whilst being shown the right styles and angles of wear for your face shape.
There are different wedding hats for the differing seasons – such as pretty woven hats for spring and summer weddings, or felt and wool for fall and winter weddings.
Many of the major department stores have a hat department, and this would be a good place to start your search for the perfect hat.
Do take a friend with you – we can often be critical of how we look in different clothing, but friends can take a more objective view and help us try out new and different items with confidence.
Although you’re unlikely to want to go with some of the exuberant and lavish designs seen at Royal Ascot, these designer looks often inspire the lines that you’ll see in your department and formal wear stores. 
Some petite women may prefer a small pillbox hat, that sits on top of the head, more than the wide brimmed wedding hats pictured here.
One simple way to create the perfect headwear from an everyday straw hat is to add a matching scarf or ribbon – in shades or colors to complement your outfit. This will allow you to use the same hat on different occasions.
If you prefer something to set off your hair, but prefer something small, an inexpensive option is a headband or fascinator.
Fascinators – the Ultimate Hair Accessory
If you really don’t like hats, then fascinators are a great alternative to a hat for women who
love dressing up formally.
If you’ve not seen them before, it may be because they’ve become popular fairly recently.
Essentially they’re a dramatic headpieces created with feathers, flowers or beads, attached to a headband, designed to be worn as part of your wedding hair style.
Fascinator hats make a dazzling accessory. It’s even possible to customize or dye the feathers or accessories to a color that matches your outfit – which can be easier than trying to find something that already matches.
Design & Make Your Own Hat or Fascinator
If you like classic designs such as those you might see in 40’s and 50’s films, or Jane Austen movies, then you may want to check out the Vogue Vintage sewing pattern range. They have some classic and stunningly elegant wedding hats and fascinators that you can make from felt or silk that will look amazing but not cost you an arm and a leg.
Needless to say, this will require some good sewing skills, but if you are a reasonable seamstress, you may wish
to have a go at creating and sewing your own pretty headwear or fascinator hats.
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