  |   Top left: Melbourne Cup 15 Top centre: Hat Academy Top right: Dublin Horse Show Bottom left: Melbourne Cup 15 Bottom centre: Melbourne Cup 15 Bottom right: Melbourne Cup 15 |   |
I was in London on Tuesday, hence the absence of my daily post, and popped into Fenwick of Bond Street for a fleeting visit. The windows were all geared up for Royal Ascot and to mark the stores 125th anniversary they had a Decades of Drama exhibition, showcasing the best creations from modern day milliners.
See image below and click on the link for Fenwick of Bond Street's online feature.
See image below and click on the link for Fenwick of Bond Street's online feature.
Fenwick of Bond Street are also hosting a charity auction, instore and online, where you can bid for one of the thirteen exclusive creations, see Jane Taylor's gorgeous 'Gabrielle (1950)' design below, with all proceeds going to Brain Tumour Research.
It was so inspiring and made me hanker for a decade past where an occasion hat was a necessary accessory rather than the rarity they have now become; a formal wedding or Ladies Day Race meet seem to be the only occasions where they are deemed acceptable.
However after my visit to Fenwicks it seemed hats were the order of the day as on my way to Victoria many headwear confections were seen around the perimeter of Buckingham palace as guests waited to be allowed entrance to the Queens Garden party, where the Duchess of Cambridge donned a Jane Taylor pillbox and netted hat along with the Alexander McQueen outfit she wore at Prince George's christening.
However after my visit to Fenwicks it seemed hats were the order of the day as on my way to Victoria many headwear confections were seen around the perimeter of Buckingham palace as guests waited to be allowed entrance to the Queens Garden party, where the Duchess of Cambridge donned a Jane Taylor pillbox and netted hat along with the Alexander McQueen outfit she wore at Prince George's christening.
When I started researching for this post I got so 'Pinterested' by Occasion Hat and Race day outfits that I had to abandon any hopes of finishing it until today if I wanted to get my sleep quota in! A great source I found was Vogue Australia where the Melbourne Cup, Derby Day and other events in the racing calendar down under had more than their fair share of elegant inspiration.
I even came across this image of Jean Shrimpton at Derby Day, Melbourne 1965, who even without an occasion hat, epitomises understated chic. See more of my favourite Race day ensembles below.
I even came across this image of Jean Shrimpton at Derby Day, Melbourne 1965, who even without an occasion hat, epitomises understated chic. See more of my favourite Race day ensembles below.
Jean Shrimpton ,Derby Day, Melbourne 1965
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Snoxells Robyn Pillbox and quill fascinator silver £110
John Lewis Amber veiling and quills fascinator bright pink £70
REDValentino Flower applique veil headband £95
Snoxells Topper veiled occasion hat black £200
John Lewis Amber veiling and quills fascinator bright pink £70
REDValentino Flower applique veil headband £95
Snoxells Topper veiled occasion hat black £200
For more affordable Occasion hats quills and netting details are strong for this season, see my picks above, but if it's designer head gear for you I would definitely recommend a trip to Fenwicks Bond Street otherwise click here to see Harrods top 5 picks whilst Net-A-Porter have Philip Treacy.
Hopefully you too will have been inspired for whichever Racing meet you're off to this season, and if it's not the Royal enclosure or Ladies day may even don this beautiful, overlooked accessory, the occasion hat.
Click on the links for information or to shop and thanks for stopping by.
Hopefully you too will have been inspired for whichever Racing meet you're off to this season, and if it's not the Royal enclosure or Ladies day may even don this beautiful, overlooked accessory, the occasion hat.
Click on the links for information or to shop and thanks for stopping by.
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