So you have found the perfect
occasion outfit and now there comes that dreadful
moment of wondering whether or not to wear a hat. If you like wearing
special hats or fascinators for weddings then just go ahead and wear one.
None will think it odd as a wedding is one place where you can always get
away with it.
Still unsure - check if any other guests you know who
are mutual friends or relatives will be wearing a hat or simply ask the
bridal party. The best general guideline that must be observed is that
the hat chosen is correct for the season. don't wear a felt winter or tartan
hat, however gorgeous to a summer wedding.
This lovely wide double
brim Sinamay hat with lily and feathers, in pink icing and rose is £175 from
John Lewis.
For more hat style ideas check out the range for 2006
spring summer shown on this page. This selection of hat images are
courtesy of John Lewis who have 27 department stores in major UK towns.
This page also forms a
fashion history page of a selection of hats for the mid noughties.
About 70% of hats worn at UK
functions are made from Sinamay. Most of the examples shown here use
finely woven dyed Sinamay with feather or flower trim. Sinamay, panama
straw and and silk are the materials for summer hats.
The abaca plant is a variety of
the banana plant and abaca fibre is extracted from this. Sinamay is
banana plant fibre and when woven the material it makes is a gauzy
lightweight natural material with a straw like appearance. It can be
used as fabric layers to create very light to more dense effects or used
from preformed Sinamay hoods.
The open weave Sinamay is
easily formed into crisp, but gossamer effect looks when steamed on a hat
block. Often several layers are steamed together to get the correct
stability, a denser material and colour tone effect for the hat type.
From the variety of crown styles shown here you realise how important the
hat block can be. Hats today can be made on (expensive) wooden hat
blocks or using pre moulded forms such as those supplied at hatshapers.
The Sinamay material can also
be over printed as in this black feather animal effect print hat from John
Lewis. Animal print plate with comb and feathers, black/zebra £50.
Hat straw materials with the
word para or pari in front of them simply mean a 2/2 weave or a herringbone
weave. Sisals are made from the most simple weave of all a basic 1/1
weave.
Within this are grade qualities
from 1 to 5 with 1 being the top grade. The higher grade has fewer
imperfections in the weave as smoother combed fibres are used which results
in smoother yarns and thus smoother end material. Couture hats use top
grades. The lowest coarser grades are the sort used in floristry,
crafts or cheaper beach hats.
Get ahead in the style stakes
with a great hat from John Lewis. Off to the races? Invited to a
spring wedding? These interesting double brimmed hats are bound to
attract attention and admiring glances.
The pastel pink hat right is a
lovely John Lewis example using a silk covered Sinamay crown combined with a
visible Sinamay brim. This Silk crown with Sinamay east to west brim,
feathers and diamanté is in shimmer pink costs
£175.
The John Lewis hat right has a double brim and is a Sinamay east to west
double brim with feathers, in natural and gold at £155.
Barbara Suri,
Buyer of Fashion Accessories at John Lewis said that :-
'Everyone in the
hat trade is thrilled that Ascot will reopen for the Royal Meeting. It’s the
perfect place to show off more exuberant creations....As you can see the
season will open with soft neutrals and chalky pastels, then move towards
stronger shades... Monochrome looks are a strong trend and navy looks
set to make a comeback.'
Feathers are still
the favourite trimming, adding great movement and drama. A
distinctive hat like this vibrant fuchsia pink feather decorated hat right
will help you stand out from the crowd.
Pari-sinamay with chinchilla
coque feathers, fuchsia hat is £195 and available from May at John Lewis.
Here
we have a wonderful hat fascinator from John Lewis that is a similar colour,
but so totally different. A real statement piece of frippery and for
the woman who like to strut her walk. Right - Sinamay
Twist on Headband with Feathers & Quills, Fuchsia £115
This
John Lewis fascinator disc is a bargain at just £25.
Sinamay Disc with Combs &
Feathers, Black/White £25
Or
you can try one of the even more inexpensive fascinators or headbands for a
look that’s bound to turn heads. Right choose from a range of colours
such as these Alice Bands with Feather Spray in Black, Ivory, Chocolate,
Fuchsia & Red and just at £20 from John Lewis.
If you need any help, John
Lewis fashion advisors can help you choose the perfect hat to go with your
outfit.
For the ultimate luxury think
of a hat by designer Treacy.
One
of the masters of hat making this past 20 years since 1985 has been
Philip Treacy. He has made
'creations' and they are creations, for several of the top fashion houses.
Peter Jones stocks this
fabulous luscious red rose example at their store. Please note this
hat is not stocked at branches of John Lewis - just at Peter Jones.
Red rose hat right by designer Philip Treacy is £595.
You can also contact Philip
Treacy directly at his website.
Find great anniversary gift ideas from Premier Gifts. Choose from our wide range of anniversary gifts to celebrate your special day in style.
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