Today is Gold Cup Day at Ascot, unofficially, but almost universally, known as Ladies Day.
Today is the day when the outrageous hats come out in force in an attempt to hit that pages of the newspapers. Not that the hats on other days are always quiet and understated.
(Photos courtesy of Telegraph.co.uk)
Creations here from Ascot 2009 include this Dede Valentine “ice cream” creation (top left), a hat styled after a chessboard (top right) and this creation designed as part of a competition with the Starlight Children’s Foundation (bottom).
Todays highlight so far has been Jasmine Guiness in this custom designed Stephen Jones creation
(Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images Europe)
Summer, of course, is hat season, races, garden parties and weddings all abound in the Summer. Unless you’re in the Ascot Royal Enclosure hat wearing is no longer mandatory at many of these events, but many Women still like the opportunity to indulge in a bit of millinery.
If you don’t get the chance to wear hats a lot then it’s wise to go for something fairly simple in neutral shades like black and cream that you can wear to more than one event. It’s also worth considering how likely a hat is to take off if the wind should pick up and maybe chose something that can be anchored with elastic, combs or hairgrips.
If your budget is high and your tastes expensive high class milliners like Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy are the designers of choice. If, like me, your budget is a little (ok, a lot) smaller then there are other ways to get your hat fix.
Small independent designers will charge far more reasonable prices.
Jessie Clifford is an independent designer whose British Birds 2009 collection uses feathers that were all sourced locally to her Gloucestershire studio. Prices start from £125, and the designs are certainly eye catching.
Or you could try Bellapacella who makes a variety of hats and accessories from vintage and found objects to create a unique look with prices from around £60-£100
Etsy is always a fantastic place to look for independent designers and prices are often very reasonable.
These are from Tied and Feathered ($70) and Doghead & Flintlock ($75)
And, finally, an even cheaper option for the truly budget conscious is to look for second hand or vintage hats. Charity Shops often have a limited selection that are certainly worth a look and, as they are such an expensive purchase, eBay is often worth a look to find people looking to get a return on their original investment.
Header photo by flem007_uk
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{ 3 comments }
I love that blue Pillbox hat. I tried on a pink one in an antique shop selling for £9 and I walked away. I really regretted it afterwards.
for some reason, i’m really loving the leopard hat… it’s so simple yet unexpected.
I just love the colours on the peacock hat, I think it’s amazing!