Make a millinery statement
Erin O Connor, Louise Mariette, hats, hat, epsom derby, royal ascot, how to
Erin O Connor wears Louise Mariette hat at Investec Derby Day at Epsom Racecourse
This season, we all want to wear a hat, and not just for weddings. Following Kate and Will’s wedding in April, Philip Treacy is a household name, a hat can make £81k and stores are reporting a surge in interest in millinery. Hat sales at John Lewis are up 60% and Kate Middleton’s favourite Sloane Square department store Peter Jones offers a \'Hat Academy\' personal shopping service throughout June, helping its customers choose from over 200 styles.
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We caught up with milliner Louis Mariette to get his top tips for how to wear a hat: \"A hat makes a visual statement within seconds; it is an accessory that is bold and powerful that reflects the wearer’s personality and style: whether demure or extrovert. An outfit executed with style, elegance and backed up with controlled composure, will always be a winner!\"
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Read on for Louis’ top tips for choosing a hat, and some inspirational looks from Epsom and Royal Ascot.
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Picture: Erin O’Connor wears hat by Louis Mariette, official milliner to Investec Derby Day at Epsom Racecourse.
Keep it in proportion
Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, hats, hat, epsom derby, royal ascot, how to
Catherine Duchess of Cambridge aka Kate Middleton attends Investec Derby Day at Epsom Downs Racecourse June 2011
\"It is critical that you are totally honest about your dimensions and if possible have a friend to give feedback on your outfit. Experiment with different hats. If you are shorter, a huge wide brimmed hat may be overpowering so go for smaller size or a fascinator; for more visual impact you could could try bolder colours and trimmings.\"
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Picture: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (aka Kate Middleton) attends Investec Derby Day at Epsom Downs Racecourse, June 2011.
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If you love Kate\'s style, check out our Kate Middleton celebrity lookbook
The perfect angle
Katherine Jenkins, hats, hat, epsom derby, royal ascot, how to
Katherine Jenkins at Royal Ascot June 2011
\"The simplest tilt of a hat can give the theatrical expression needed to finish off a look. The brim tilted and angled over one eye can give a mysterious, fun and flirtatious look bringing out an extrovert side of your personality.\"
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Picture: Katherine Jenkins at Royal Ascot, June 2011.
Hair-ess
Holly Valance, hats, hat, epsom derby, royal ascot, how to
Holly Valance at Royal Ascot June 2011
\"Ladies invest a lot of time and money on hair, and should use wearing a hat as an opportunity to showcase hair and hat as a bon marriage to create an impact. When opting for a smaller hat or fascinator, wearing it towards one side with your hair style to the opposite side will be alluring and creates an elongated neckline.\"
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Picture: Holly Valance at Royal Ascot, June 2011.
Full colour
fascinator, hats, hat, epsom derby, royal ascot, how to
Race goer at Royal Ascot June 2011
\"Millinery comes in many exciting colours, textures and patterns. Prints can be overwhelming, so lean towards block colours with variations on shades. Try to choose colours complimentary to your skin tone. Dark skin tones will suit reds, whereas aqua blues, pinks are well executed with paler tones. Make-up should be toned down if there is a lot happening with a hat: remember this is Derby Day and not a Brazilian carnival.\"
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Picture: Race-goer at Royal Ascot, June 2011
Embellish the tail
fascinator, hats, hat, epsom derby, royal ascot, how to
Race goer at Royal Ascot June 2011
\"Think about the dress, shoes and handbag, and also how the elements of outfit can be incorporated into your headpiece. This can range from silk flowers to crystals and pearls.\"
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Picture: Race-goer at Royal Ascot, June 2011.
Less is more
fascinator, hats, hat, epsom derby, royal ascot, how to
Race-goer at Royal Ascot June 2011
\"If the hat is very extravagant, keep the dress and jewellery simple.\"
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Picture: Race-goer at Royal Ascot, June 2011.
Full of hot air
fascinator, hats, hat, epsom derby, royal ascot, how to
TV presenter Anneka Tanaka-Svenska wears extravagant Louis Mariette creation at Royal Ascot June 2011
\"No ladies, this isn’t a call for a bodyguard, but hair grips for the race day! Inevitably a gust of wind can make a hat fly like the “Spirit of St Louis”! Trust me, you will prefer your manicured fingers clutching a flute of champagne rather than chasing a hat!\"
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Picture: TV presenter Anneka Tanaka-Svenska wears extravagant Louis Mariette creation at Royal Ascot, June 2011.
Strike a pose
fascinator, hats, hat, epsom derby, royal ascot, how to
Milliner Mimi Theobald hits the right pose in her own hat design with a vintage 1950s dress which won her the Style On The Downs competition at the Investec Derby Day Epsom Racecourse June 2011
\"After you have spent so much time and energy putting your outfit together, an elegant posture is key - the cameras might be zooming in on you!\"
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Picture: Milliner Mimi Theobald hits the right pose in her own hat design with a vintage 1950s dress, which won her the Style On The Downs competition at the Investec Derby Day, Epsom Racecourse, June 2011.
Start from within
fascinator, queen Elizabeth, hats, hat, epsom derby, royal ascot, how to
All time pro hat wearer HRH Queen Elizabeth II a picture of health and looking fetching in this soft pink swirled hat, Royal Ascot June 2011
\"Remember that true beauty starts from within. It is a lifestyle: eating healthy, exercising and looking after your skin will ensure a radiant appearance and self-esteem. Remember your best attribute is your attitude.\" aww.
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Picture: All-time pro hat-wearer HRH Queen Elizabeth II – a picture of health and looking fetching in this soft pink, swirled hat, Royal Ascot, June 2011. Gawd bless you, m\'am.
