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Heading to Royal Ascot? These hats are still in stock…


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  • The best hats for Royal Ascot not only comply with the strict Ascot dress code but make you stand out from the crowd and feel glamorous, too. Everyone loves to dress up for a day the races, but the Royal Ascot meeting (which takes place between Tuesday 20 and Saturday 24 June in 2023) is synonymous with fashion, elegance and style, which makes your outfit choice even more important. The best hat should complement your dress for Royal Ascot, too, putting the finishing touch to your outfit.

    Raceday hats can be awkward to greet friends in, there’s a high chance of ending up with a glaring, sweaty forehead, and at some point during the day your heart will skip a beat as you make a dash back to the loo where you left it. So if you’re going to put yourself through the trial of choosing and wearing a hat to go racing this summer, we say make it a goody.

    How to choose the best hat for Royal Ascot

    For most equestrians, Royal Ascot is an opportunity to ditch the horsey attire and don a posh frock (or a top hat for the stallions). For the ladies a hat can add personality to an outfit, but what are the secrets to getting it right?

    The meeting famously has strict dress codes to adhere to – particularly in the Royal Enclosure where hats or headpieces should have a base of at least four inches (10cm) or more in diameter. You might think this rules out a lot of options, but there are plenty of fascinators that are designed with these dimensions in mind.

    Unless you are fortunate to have access to a personal stylist, choosing an exquisite hat can be a tricky decision, so here are some tips for choosing the right hat for you…

    1. If you’re petite, a delicate feather fascinator or smaller headpiece (not wider than your shoulders) tilted to one side will work well.
    2. Tall ladies will carry off a larger brimmed hat more easily.
    3. If you have a round face, opt for a headpiece that sits at a slant (such as a beret) with a design, such as long feather quills or flowers, to add height and elongate your face.
    4. Ladies with a heart or oval-shaped face are lucky enough to be able to wear almost any shaped hat.
    5. If you are choosing a hat that is made on a hairband, opt for one that can easily be disguised in your hair — this is often achieved by having silk that matches your hair colour wrapped around the band.
    6. If you have a side parting, wear your hat on the side that your hair parts so that you have the fullest side of your hair on show.
    7. If you want to be the centre of attention, bright against blocks of darker tones will definitely turn heads. No one shies away from bright at Royal Ascot, but there are plenty of softer pastel options available, too.
    8. Botanical leaf and floral designs are always popular and are well-suited to this outdoor occasion.
    9. Avoid going overboard with accessories — a statement necklace with a detailed headpiece will look fussy so opt for one or the other.

    Best hats for Royal Ascot 2023 for all budgets and styles

    John Lewis Beatrice Loop Disc Hat

    John Lewis Beatrice Loop Disc Hat

    Colours: Cobalt or navy | RRP: £40 |

    In the UK? View now at johnlewis.com

    Phase Eight Bow And Feather Fascinator

    Phase Eight Bow And Feather Fascinator

    Colours: Antique Rose | RRP: £69 |

    In the UK? View now at phase-eight.com

    Emily-London Statement Floral Fascinator

    Emily-London Statement Floral Fascinator

    Colours: Black, blush or lime | RRP: £109 |

    In the UK? View now at karenmillen.com

    Lisa Tan Looped Bow Side Fascinator

    Lisa Tan Looped Bow Side Fascinator

    Colours: Pink or white | RRP: £139 |

    In the UK? View now at coastfashion.com

    Vixen Millinery Luisa

    Vixen Millinery Luisa

    Colours: Charcoal/ivory or navy | RRP: £320 |

    In the UK? View now at johnlewis.com

    Ready For The Future Feather Detail Fascinator

    Ready For The Future Feather Detail Fascinator

    Colours: Black, pink or cobalt | RRP: £119 |

    In the UK? View now at karenmillen.com

    John Lewis Jess Fascinator

    John Lewis Jess Fascinator

    Colours: Fuschia | RRP: £40 |

    In the UK? View now at johnlewis.com

    Phase Eight Shantung

    Phase Eight Shantung

    Colours: Cornflower, petal or navy | RRP: £69 |

    In the UK? View now at phase-eight.com

    John Lewis Tilly Box Fascinator

    John Lewis Tilly Bow Fascinator

    Colours: Pearl, navy or red | RRP: £68 |

    In the UK? View now at johnlewis.com

    Lisa Tan Rainbow Knot Boater Hat

    Lisa Tan Rainbow Knot Boater Hat

    Colours: Ivory | RRP: £139 |

    In the UK? View now at coastfashion.com

    John Lewis Noelle Crinkle Fascinator

    John Lewis Noelle Crinkle Fascinator

    Colours: Sorbet or white | RRP: £75 |

    In the UK? View now at johnlewis.com

    Accessorize Disc Band hat for royal ascot

    Accessorize Disc Band Fascinator

    Colours: Orange, navy or ivory | RRP: £70 |

    In the UK? View now at accessorize.com

    Phase Eight Side Bow hat for royal ascot

    Phase Eight Side Bow Hat

    Colours: Navy or cornflower | RRP: £110 |

    In the UK? View now at phase-eight.com

    Lisa Tan Oversized Bow Wide Brim Hat

    Lisa Tan Oversized Bow Wide Brim Hat

    Colours: Baby pink | RRP: £169 |

    In the UK? View now at coastfashion.com

    Tushi Round Fascinator

    Tushi Round Fascinator

    Colours: 64 options | RRP: From £24.99 |

    In the UK? View now at etsy.com

    Hats By Cressida Statement hat for royal ascot

    Hats By Cressida Statement Hat

    Colours: 25 options | RRP: £215 |

    In the UK? View now at etsy.com

    John Lewis Carina Hat

    John Lewis Carina

    Colours: Blush, silver, ivory or black | RRP: £58 |

    In the UK? View now at johnlewis.com

    John Lewis Diane Fascinator

    John Lewis Diane

    Colours: Almond or black | RRP: £65 |

    In the UK? View now at johnlewis.com

    Accessorize Penelope

    Accessorize Penelope

    Colours: Pink, navy, pale pink or ivory | RRP: £49 |

    In the UK? View now at accessorize.com

    Karen Millen Pleated Spiral Trim hat for royal ascot

    Karen Millen Pleated Spiral Trim Fascinator

    Colours: Navy, ivory or blush | RRP: £89 |

    In the UK? View now at karenmillen.com

    Hats By Cressida Saucer hat for royal ascot

    Hats By Cressida Saucer Hat

    Colours: 31 options | RRP: £150 |

    In the UK? View now at etsy.com

    Accessorize Jasmine Fascinator

    Accessorize Jasmine

    Colours: Pink, navy or green | RRP: £45 |

    In the UK? View now at accessorize.com

    LK Bennett Eileen

    LK Bennett Eileen

    Colours: Pink, lavender or red | RRP: £99 |

    In the UK? View now at lkbennett.com

    Karen Millen Feather Detail Fascinator

    Karen Millen Feather Detail Fascinator

    Colours: Pink | RRP: £69 |

    In the UK? View now at karenmillen.com

    Hats By Cressida Large hat for royal ascot

    Hats By Cressida Large Hat

    Colours: 16 options | RRP: £225 |

    In the UK? View now at etsy.com

    John Lewis Kira Twist Flower Fascinator hat for royal ascot

    John Lewis Kira Twist Flower Fascinator

    RRP: £35 |

    Available in red, navy, magenta or black, this fascinator is super-smart and great value.

    In the UK? View now at johnlewis.com

    Rubyrocks Corona

    Rubyrocks Corona

    Colours: Grey | RRP: £30 |

    In the UK? View now at goddiva.co.uk

    The Head Bloomer Millinery pink flower hat for royal ascot

    The Head Bloomer Millinery pink flower hat

    RRP: £145 |

    This handmade hat is a unique statement piece – perfect for summer.

    In the UK? View now at notonthehighstreet.com

    Hobbs Alexis

    Hobbs Alexis

    Colours: Pink | RRP: £79 |

    In the UK? View now at hobbs.com

    Hats By Cressida hat

    Hats By Cressida

    RRP: £200 |

    Available in 40 colours, this ostrich fascinator on a headband is a great choice if you can’t find what you’re looking for in a particular colour.

    In the UK? View now at etsy.com

    Accessorize Rhea oversized fasciantor

    Accessorize Large Double Bow Crin Fascinator

    Colours: Pink, champagne, navy or black | RRP: £37.50 |

    This fascinator has a voluminous bow design with wispy feathers, and is available in four colours.

    In the UK? View now at accessorize.com


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