Every female wedding guest from distant cousins to celebrity Mothers of the bride ponder the choice of hat vs fascinator. Factors affecting the decision may include age, comfort, outfit and most importantly, personal preference.

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A Question of Style

According to fashion journalists, the fascinator is dead and has been for some time. Style icon Kate Middleton always plumps for a hat at formal events, which is all you need to know really. Hats are considered to be more of an iconic style statement, and for those who like to make a statement then this is great news. But what about those of us who don’t?

A Question of Comfort

Fashions come and go, and isn’t it more important to feel comfortable? For some feeling at ease is far more important than what the fashion world considers ‘trendy’ and fascinators are arguably more comfortable than hats being lighter and less bulky. We’re not suggesting for a second you turn up in a tracksuit, but comfort is an argument for a fascinator. Plus hats may be in this year but everything changes at the drop of a, well, a hat.

Showing off Your Hair

Traditionally hats are worn by women over a certain age and fascinators by younger women. This tradition may have a lot to do with the fact that younger women are more likely to have an ‘up do’ that needs to be shown off. Nowadays age has nothing to do with it, and if you have hair you want to showcase a fascinator is the best option.

Dress Matching

Your headwear, whatever it is, must of course match your outfit. If you’ve bought a dress or outfit especially for the wedding in a colour you don’t often wear, then shelling out for a hat to match may be a costly option. If however you’re wearing a dress you’re highly likely to wear again, then it may be worth investing in a great hat to wear with it. Look to wedding outfit experts such as Style & the Bride for advice on hat and dress matching.

The simple answer of hat vs fascinator is to wear what you feel most comfortable in, and what you personally prefer the look of – even if that means no headgear at all!

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