When you think of how to wear a fascinator, it is easy to imagine a royal wedding. Moreso, if you saw footage or pictures of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding held on the 19th of May 2018 at the Windsor Castle, who would not want a fascinator hat?
The Royal Wedding had amazing fascinators of different colours, shapes and sizes and for the most part, we can all agree on the classiness and the added edge in style a fascinator adds to a formal dress outfit.
Fascinator hats give off a vibe of class and elegance, and this has been seen from the days of great black and white films that had graceful female actresses wearing them.
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These fashion accessories are one that will never go out of style and are a must-have in every classy woman’s wardrobe.
Read on as we share with you everything there is to know about a fascinator hat and using them.
What Exactly Is a Fascinator Hat?
A fascinator, as it is commonly called, is an elegantly stylish formal headpiece made by milliners.
These headpieces are usually decorative pieces that are attached to a clip, comb or band. On the other hand, in cases where you have decorative pieces incorporated into a hat-shaped base, they are ‘hatinators’.
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Choosing the Right Fascinator.
To get the right fascinator, be prepared to invest as good fascinator hats do not come cheap.
When investing in one or a couple of these hats, it is essential to take your time to select a fascinator that will suit your outfit, the shape of your face, and of course, the occasion.
First Things First
Have and know your outfit.
Once you are sure of outfits you have to wear with the fascinator hat, it is much easier to buy one. This way, you have an idea of what would go well with your outfits in terms of colour, style and usability.
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Other Important Things
Face type
If you have a square jaw or an oval face, then you are fortunate, as all types of fascinators will look good on you.
If your face is long, wear your fascinator on the side of your head to balance out the overall length of your face and also, a more oversized fascinator will help to soften out your complete visage.
Height
For tall people, fascinators should be picked based on their width, not height. That way, you do not appear too tall with the ‘extra height’.
On the contrary to being tall, play with the height of your fascinator to give an ‘illusion of height’.
Material Vs. Season
For warmer seasons, select fascinators made from light or mesh-like material and heavier materials like felt and wool in colder seasons.
Colour code
You can always match the colour of your hat with the exact colour of your outfit and, in contrast, complement the tones of both the outfit and fascinator.
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Wearing a Fascinator
Up until recent, fascinators have always been worn on the right side of the head, but nowadays, it is acceptable to wear a fascinator on both either side of your head.
If you have a hair parting, do cover it with the fascinator.
Fascinators attached to hair bands are perfect. If you have short hair, be guaranteed that it will keep your hair in place.
It is advisable to spray a small amount of hairspray on your hair before wearing a fascinator hat to prevent it from slipping.
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To wear a fascinator with the comb attachment, in the first place, decide where you want the headpiece positioned.
If your hair is thick, slide the combed attachment backwards through your hair about an inch in the opposite direction of hair fall.
Next, place the fascinator at a slight angle until you feel its teeth softly against your scalp.
Finally, tip the comb and push it down in the direction your hair fall to rest the fascinator securely on your head.
On the other hand, if your hair is not too thick and smooth, take a tiny section of hair and comb in the opposite direction of the hair fall then grip with a hairpin. This way, you have a sound base to slide in a fascinator.
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Extra Tips You Need to Know
Pairing cream or ivory-toned fascinators with white is a no-no, as they tend to look dirty or dull in comparison to white outfits or accessories.
For theatregoers, avoid wearing a tall or super obvious fascinator so you don’t upset people sitting behind you by blocking their views.
If you are a guest at a wedding or an event that requires pictures to be taken, do not wear a fascinator that will hide your face.
Also, no matter how cute, leave your show-stopping fascinator at home. There is no need to outshine the bride.
Many bridal fascinator hats can substitute a wedding veil, and they are found in different interesting but classy styles.
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Should your hair need a wash, do not wait till the last moment. Wash your hair at least a day before you wear a fascinator to have a better grip.
If the plan is to wear your favourite pair of sunglasses, avoid a fascinator with a built-in headband. This way, you avoid bulk and the annoying disturbance around your ears, glasses and fascinator. Instead, an elastic, comb, or clip-on fascinator will do the trick.
Hair Colour
- Redheads look great with natural and earth tones such as beiges, browns, camel, dark and olive greens.
- Blondes are better suited with light, warm colours like coral and turquoise. Neutral navy, beige, and taupe also look gorgeous.
- Brunettes should think of bright, deep shades—play with colours like hot pink, purple, bright blue, and emerald, along with neutral black and navy.
- Brown or Black Hair is the most versatile—almost all colours are inclusive.
- Grey Hair pairs beautifully with cool tones like silver, soft blue, lavender and jewel tones like emerald and sapphire. Neutrals like navy, charcoal, and soft white also enhance the elegance of grey hair.
