Have we ever been this hungry for spring? Weddings, baptisms, and pageant days are returning to our social calendars in a time that promises to quickly uplift the spirits. Sir, it’s time to think about upping your tailoring game.
As a noble hatter, I’m happy to walk you through the hat path as a finishing touch when it comes to your first scream outfit of 2022.
But let’s face it, if you’ve lived in homewear for the past few years, going back to well-made clothing at first will be daunting. But much less if you do it step by step.
Then say hello to the wing. A distant relative of 1980s band Sloane Ranger Alice, this is fortunately the elegant older sister of the outdated, picky, and frankly crazy wizard.
Midnight Velvet: The Duchess of Cambridge pairs the sash with her jacket at her funeral
Elegant: Flora Vesterberg, niece of the queen’s cousin, Princess Alexandra
Whether quilted, plain, jeweled, or to provide the structure on which to build something beautifully decorated, headbands enjoy the moment to the fullest. And don’t worry.
Several prominent royals wore headbands at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral this week in his honor. Zara Tindall’s was a beautiful piece, with the organza curled on the side, which made it look balanced.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have shown how neat and elegant headbands can be – perfect for this occasion – yet so flattering. I love the way they wear it behind their heads which means we can see their faces clearly.
The black one worn by Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones was made and commissioned by me for this occasion. She is young and graceful, but not at the top.
Because the great thing about headbands is that you look smart and well-groomed, but without that horrible nagging feeling you can overdo.
Headbands were found in abundance at the Cheltenham Festival. I especially liked the one decorated with pheasant feathers.
Cheltenham is considered a more traditional country horse racing event than Ascot, and a less flamboyant look worked well here.
Delicate Veil: Princess Beatrice at her funeral this week
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have shown how neat and elegant headbands can be – perfect for this occasion – yet so flattering. I love the way they wear it behind their heads which means we can see their faces clearly. The black one worn by Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones (pictured) was made by me and commissioned for the event.
Pixie Geldof with headband at the 2019 London Fashion Awards
A sash creates a strong silhouette, adding height when you need it and a catchy point to your outfit when you don’t.
And age is not a barrier to removing them. They actually age miraculously, gently bringing the eye away from the chin and towards the eyes and forehead.
Wear one at a wedding and the fear of having to hold the hat from the start of the ceremony until the last breath of the reception is truly gone.
If you’re an evening guest, a shimmery or shimmery headband will look great with a party dress.
They’re also perfect for christenings and garden parties – they’re easy to remove and set aside once you’ve worn them enough.
Golden Girl: Model Vogue Williams adds height and sophistication with this sparkly design
There are so many permutations on offer that most people can find one that works for them. Take Dame Helen Mirren, who looks casually chic with a simple headband that goes perfectly with her pink dress.
Old School Charm: Emilia Fox in Pill Box Style at Cheltenham Festival
Bejeweled: Charlize Theron shines in a matching dress
Elegant: Zara Tindall opted for a blue design with rounded organza details
But first you have to forget all the preconceptions, like headbands that are only for high school girls, or that are architecturally intimidating, yet superlative beings with incredibly sharp cheekbones can wear.
Many of my clients have round and beautiful features and love to appear in fluffy headbands with flowers, feathers or maybe a delicate veil.
There are so many permutations on offer that most people can find one that works for them. Take Dame Helen Mirren, who looks casually chic with a simple headband that matches her pink dress perfectly.
She used solid colors to make a statement as she took home the Life Achievement Award at the 2022 SAG Awards. This simple combination would also look lovely at a wedding, especially if worn by the mother of the bride.
When I design for real clients, fabric samples of their dresses are often sent so I can match the hats to the exact shade of a jacket or dress. This requires me to mix my fabric dye thoroughly until a test strip with the perfect shade comes out in a jar.
But there is such a wide variety of headbands on the High Street that anyone can pair a headband with their outfit for a similar look.
Take the Duchess of Cambridge, who wore a gorgeous cream-colored headband to her elegantly styled hair at Prince Louis’ christening, and it’s been styled again. The design was excellent, the bells and whistles striking, but not too much.
The decorations have been shifted to the sides, softening the effect, which looks incredibly beautiful.
Meanwhile, the simple quilted velvet sash she wears here with her green velvet collar jacket (far right) alludes to the Sloane Ranger vibe, the main difference here is the length. Headbands in the 1980s were often flat on the head, so they subtract rather than add to your silhouette, as in this modern take.
I love the piece that movie star Charlize Theron wore to the Costume Designers Guild Awards (top left) in Beverly Hills.
Her sash appears to be an extension of her dress – the use of the same bold material takes the dress from glamor to fashion glory.
Her always beautiful co-star Emilia Fox looks like Audrey Hepburn with the toasty headband channeling a castle. Talk about old-fashioned glamor and sophistication.
So be careful and be a part of this great trend. Getting dressed again doesn’t have to be daunting.
Source: Daily Mail
