Ladies Couture Hats

Who’d have shares in a millinery firm? It seems the UK's love affair with hats is extremely fickle. From the days when absolutely everyone owned hats, the nation has gone through decades when hats were reserved for weddings, funerals or Royal Ascot; to a period when younger people would not consider wearing a hat even for these notable occasions. In recent times, it seems that hats (or some other guise of headwear) can bloom and fade in the fashion stakes as unpredictably as a tender plant in a British summer.

But, for the moment, hats and hair accessories are enjoying something of a resurgence. Marc Jacobs is just one of several designers who sent their models down the runways with beguiling hats topping off sexy tailoring. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (in picture above) and Michelle Obama have been snapped sporting wonderful creations that have perfectly complemented an outfit and the Royal Family continues to support renowned British milliners like Philip Treacy.

So with hat-wearing now a matter of personal choice more than a social requirement, what is the attraction? Renowned milliner David Shilling has been quoted as saying: “The whole point of a hat is to make the wearer look beautiful”, while Stephen Jones, who makes hats for many top designers, sees hats more as a way of making both men and women more intense versions of themselves. Whether you’re looking for a hat that will give an air of mystery; add drama to a little black dress; or ooze sophistication at a grand occasion, the advice of a couture milliner is invaluable. They will know what works with your face and outfit, and can make a really well-fitted hat that will keep on in the toughest of weather conditions.