Get ahead, get a hat

Published on Friday 3 July 2009 13:29

"HATS encouraged," the wedding invitation read. Just two words, but with the power to strike fear into any woman under the age of 50. I own precisely two types of hat: woollen ones for the winter and a straw trilby for the summer. Wedding hats and fascinators are not in my sartorial lexicon and, frankly, I wouldn't even know where to start. They all look so, well, grown up.

But as the credit crunch bites and our budgets shrink, it seems modern wedding guests are cutting back in the dress department – picking up bargain frocks from the likes of Primark or Matalan – and splashing out on a fabulous titfer to really make their outfits sing. And the surprising thing is that your crowning glory might not cost as much as you think.

Yvette Jelfs may have designed hats for everyone from Victoria Beckham – remember that little black feathered headpiece she wore when David received his OBE? – to Camilla Parker Bowles, but you can pick up one of her gorgeous creations from as little as 80. Who better to guide me through the millinery maze?

The first piece of good news is that these days my shoes, hat and bag don't all have to match, and Jelfs encourages clients to break the rules and be a little creative. If in doubt, you don't even have to go along to the shop – she has just launched a virtual boutique, whereby you can download a photograph of yourself then try on toppers to your heart's desire.

But nothing beats the real thing, especially when you have a frock to match it up to. Hats, says Jelfs, should echo the style of the dress you plan to wear. So, for instance, if you have a floaty, summery outfit, a light, feathery hat will work best, while a structured pencil skirt and tailored jacket can carry off a much heavier style of hat.

And if you have a busy, patterned frock, don't bother trying to match up with one of the colours – just keep things simple and opt for black, navy or cream instead.

Also, mothers of the bride take note: avoid that large statement hat you've had your eye on: if it obscures your face you may find it ruins all the wedding snaps and puts you in the bad books for years to come. r

Yvette Jelfs, 4 Albany Street, Edinburgh (0131-556 8388, www.yvettejelfs.com).

Top tips for titfers

If you're short: don't wear a brim wider than your shoulders – it will just look like a giant umbrella.

If you're londe: choose constrasting colours such as fuchsia, cream or honey, but avoid coral reds.

If you're dark: wear white, turquoise or red, but avoid dark purples, which can look funereal.

Redheads: can get away with black, gold and deep turquoise, but not pale greens or baby pinks.

If you have a large, round face: avoid a hat that cuts right across your forehead – go for an angled style or a headpiece instead.

For those with a long, slim face: opt for a small headpiece with not too much height; and keep feathers fine and not too heavy.

If you want to avoid hat-hair: choose a style with an Alice-band fitting.

If in doubt: black or cream go with pretty much anything.