Model (left) wearing Rebecca Vallance – Zinnia Open Back Dress
Model (middle) wearing Thurley – Wildflower Midi Dress
Model (right) wearing Heather McDowall – Daniella Oversized Hat – Black & Nicholas the Label – Mini Caftan
Spring racing carnival fashion is upon us and it calls for the time to search for that perfect headpiece to complete your race day look. Whether you’ve already chosen your dress or pre-planning, choosing the headpiece to wear for this occasion can change your outfit from elegant to sophisticated to boldness! Think of soft pastels, floral styles and gold pieces to complement the love for colour in Spring fashion.
In this post, we’ve put together a simple guide on the types of headpieces and how to choose the perfect millinery based on the trending styles that will be sure to turn heads at the fields.
Types of Headpieces & Headwear
When considering headwear, knowing the different types of hats is a great start into knowing what you would like to wear. Each type of headpiece can express different moods and personality to our outfit and this section will explain the fundamentals of headwear shapes and fabrications and advice for choosing the right style!
Fascinator
Models (left) wearing Heather McDowall – Kate Leather Bow With Vintage Veiling – Black & Bianca and Bridgett – Milan Suit Set, Heather McDowall – Ally Patent Leather Bow – Black & Pasduchas – Dynasty Waterfall Midi
Model (right) wearing Olga Berg – Danica Sinamay Bow Fascinator & Nicholas the Label – Arielle Frill Dress
Fascinators have always been the easy go-to style that can instantly add a touch of colour or detail to a race day outfit. It’s often easier to wear all day long and is much lighter with a narrow headband or sliding comb detail.
Headband
Model (left) wearing Eve Til Dawn – Frida Crown & Nicholas the Label – Arielle Frill Dress
Model (right) wearing Pasduchas – Ladida Midi Dress
If you’re looking for something more subtle, this is the perfect headpiece for you. Usually made from metal fabrics, think of intricate gold and embellished details with a touch of colour, you’ll feel luxurious and elegant at the races.
Full Hat
Model (left) wearing Heather McDowall – Daniella Oversized Hat – Black & Nicholas the Label – Mini Caftan
Models (right) wearing Morgan and Taylor – Avery Floppy & Pasduchas – Abbey Shirt Midi Dress, Heather McDowall – Louise Boater Hat & Zimmermann – Ruffle Dress
The classic wide-brimmed hat is an elegant way to accessorise your race day outfit whilst keeping you covered on a sunny day! Best suited when you’re dressed in a fitted midi dress or a power suit for the most flattering and chic look. The real trick to accentuating your face shape is through positioning the hat slightly asymmetrical!
Hair Clips
Model (left) wearing Trove – Valerie Clip Triangle & Rebecca Vallance – Zinnia Open Back Dress
Model (right) wearing Trove – Spring Racing Trio 1 & Thurley – March Dress
Although not the traditional head accessory we’re used to seeing at the races, we’re predicting the sweetly nostalgic ‘90s hair accessory will be making an appearance this year! While this hair accessory has a utilitarian function of keeping your hair out of your face, it’s more about making them look like jewellery for your hair! The best part is that you can mix and match a few together to create an entirely different look.
How to Choose the Right Millinery to Suit Your Race Day Dress
Choosing the right headwear to your race day outfit can be difficult. What colour should I match it with? Should I go bold or should I go simple? Is it ever too much? Do I have to colour match it? Well, now that we know the fundamentals of millinery types, this section will show you how to tie your headwear with your race day outfit!
Delicate Lace Fascinator with a Statement Lace Dress
Millinery styling with a statement lace dress has never been easier with the saying ‘Let the dress speak for itself’ by simply complementing this look with a pastel fascinator or classic jewelled gold crown to further exude your elegance on the race day. Basically, keep accessories to a minimum and fascinator simple for an overall sophisticated look.
Bold Fascinator with a Monochrome Dress
With a classic LBD or a white midi dress, this is your chance to go bold and wild with your choice of headwear! Go for a large hat with a draping scarf to make a statement, a monochromatic headpiece or a bold coloured fascinator for a dramatic and eye-catching effect. Wear with loose curls and keep makeup simple to soften the face. From an intricate lace mini dress to a fitted midi dress, you simply cannot go wrong with your finishing accessory piece.
Pastel Headband or Gold Crown with a Floral Dress
A spring favourite, feel ultra-feminine when you head to the races in a floral print dress with a pink lace fascinator or classic gold headpiece. Our love for florals will never go away, feel ultra-feminine when you head to the races in this style trend! Completed with a pink lace fascinator or a vibrant coloured turban headpiece to spice up the soft floral look.
Hair Accessories or Large Hat with a Power Suit
While embracing the feminine edge, a strong power suit is bound to be popular at the races this year and for good reason! You can either go simple and pop on gold and pearl hair clips or matching with the colour of your suit to complete the sophisticated look.
Final Tips for Choosing the Perfect Headpiece or Fascinator for Race Day
- Be sure to wear something makes you feel confidently comfortable!
- Use a little hairspray to secure the headwear in place.
- Position fascinators to the side for a dramatic effect.
- Having trouble securing your fascinator? Re-adjust and use bobby pins to secure in place.
- Consider your face shape. If you have an oval-shaped face, choose fascinators with more width to add fullness. For the round faces, large hats work perfectly! For square-shaped faces, add height with a tall fascinator. At GlamCorner, feel free to rent out a selection of styles and then decide which works best!
And that’s that! We know searching for the perfect headwear to match with your dress can get overwhelming. It’s all about finding the right balance for the overall look. There’s no right or wrong choice. Whether you want to be bold and go for a large fascinator or simple and elegant with a delicate headpiece, you won’t need to spend a large sum of money on something you’ll only wear once. At the end of the day, you’re at the races and enjoying the day with your friends. Go out and have fun!
If you would like to receive more advice on choosing the perfect headpiece or fascinator for the upcoming races, connect with us and start a styling session with our stylists.
