It’s wedding, prom season and Ascot coming up so many of you are coming into the salon for blow-dries, hair-up and curling ready for all of these occasions. Now as hairdressers you may think we would be anti a hat but not true!
For Ascot a hat is mandatory and it can be tricky deciding on the right hairstyle to wear with the one you choose, whether it be wide brimmed or a fun a flirty fascinator. We can help advise the best way to wear your hair with your chosen head piece. Bear in mind that the dress code for Ascot (as of last year have been tightened) and you must have a hat and if you choose to wear a fascinator it must have a base of 4inches (10cm) but you will not be allowed into the royal enclosure with this.
Other Rules of the Ascot Dress Code
- Dresses and skirts should be of modest length (below the knee or longer).
- Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater (No strapless tops allowed).
- Trouser suits are welcome. They should be of full length and of matching material and colour.
- Midriffs must be covered.
- Men in the Royal Enclosure should wear a black or grey morning suit with a top-hat.
I personally love a hat and there are many options out there whether you choose to hire, buy or you creative types out there make your own! A hat can turn that suit or cocktail dress into a finished formal outfit. You can pull out your favourite little dress change up the accessories and turn it into something totally this season! We borrowed two hats from Madcap books ( A shop that sells hats and books) in Ruislip and created one of our own for fun.
Some hat and hair tips
- If you are a petit person choose a smaller hat. Luckily larger fascinator styles are all the rage for this season, perfect for you little ladies (Shannon is wearing 3 different types in our photos)
- If you go for a full traditional hat and have a fringe, tuck it to the side or pin out of the way. There is nothing worse than a fringe that has been squished against your face
- The fancier the hat the simpler the hair, if you have an ornate and outrageous hat keep the hair fuss free and sleek. If you hair is long pin into a chic bun or chignon to let the hat star. If you have a more graphic type of hat you can get away hair that has more going on, perhaps a braided bun or faux bob. But the hair and hat should not fight for attention.
- Depending on where the hat sits the hair should do the opposite. For example if you have a hat or fascinator that sits to the right side, let your hair balance that shape with having a side bun on the left. If you hat sit forward on the face like some of the modern saucer shapes, the hair should be pushed back. If you have short hair or a graduated bob this still applies. Use kirby grips to tuck behind the ears. Speaking of gribs they should match your hair colour not the hat.
- If you plan to wear your hat during the day but want to be hat free for the evening a half up and half down can be a good idea. Pin the hair that sits under the hat up and when you take the hat off later you can do a quick change by adding the volume back into the crown with a bit of artful back combing. We can show you how.
- Carry a travel size of hairspray or serum with you to tame fly away hair as Ascot and weddings are fun but start early and finish late. We have been complimented that our updos don’t move all day but can’t hurt to have back up right?
The hat doesn’t have to match the dress exactly! Pick an accent colour or match your other accessories. As you can see from Shannon’s second lookor Kate Middleton the current poster girl for dresses and hats. Forest green dress and cream hat gives a quirky but fresh look. The above look was the result of us having a play with some craft materials but with a little more practice and time you can create a masterpiece.
Thank-you to Jackie from Madcap books in Ruislip for lending us her hats. She has some beautiful hats and her quirky little shop is well worth a visit. Whether you want a hat, a book or both.
10 Years of WWW.Comb and New Salon Launch Party
