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A hat can be the final piece in the puzzle of an outfit, or an exciting starting point. Once worn by deities of high society – heirs and graces, lords and ladies, the hat has always had historical and societal importance. Now though, donning a brim or peak is a clever and cost-effective way to renew and re-energise a look or style. Whether you dress it up or dress it down, a hat can be, as Vogue puts it, a dress code signifier: airy feathers and lace characterise formal events, such as weddings and race days, while a chic Panama could signify cool pina colada’s at an exotic pool-party somewhere.
But the hat-wearing rule book is being re-written, so if you’re keen to wear a Western-inspired cap (fasteners and all) to your friend’s wedding, then you can. A straw fedora fastened with a ribbon will pair beautifully with floral prints and long hemlines, while a delicately wrapped silk turban á la Marc Jacobs SS18 will provide your ensemble with head-turning power. Wearing less unconventional hat styles no-longer looks outlandish but is a sophisticated and clever solution to modern millinery.
Dior Resort SS18
Marc Jacobs SS18 catwalk
Choosing the correct style of hat to suit you can be tricky. If you’re ready to experiment, why not find your local milliner and have fun playing dress-up. If you want to inject some freshness into your look, here are ten hats to wear to that up-coming wedding, to the race day, or to Saturday brunch. And if hat-spiration is what you need, above are our best millinery moments from the SS18 street style.
Flowers straw hat, €29.95 at mango.com
Gray Caco Hat, €285 at deoteyza.com
Grosgrain-trimmed straw boater by Miu Miu, €280 at net-a-porter.com
The Isla turban, €51.68 at Silke London
Romantic mod boater with feather trim by Edwina Ibbotson Millinery, €1,241 at lovehats.com
Red newsboy cap, €15.95 at zara.com
fringe brim hat by Ermanno Scervino, €271 at farfetch.com
Silk turban, €165 at Marzoline
Script Crown straw hat, €908 at Philip Treacy