The finishing touch

Apr 5 2007 by Kate Nelson, Liverpool Daily Post

Hats are back in vogue, and Kate Nelson discovers that no outfit is really complete without one

ELIZA DOOLITTLE may have shown herself up at the races by bellowing at the top of her voice as the horses ran past – but at least she did it in fabulous headgear.

Hats, fascinators, hair bands, whatever you go for will be the perfect finishing touch to your outfit to next weekend’s Aintree meeting.

But it’s not just your dress you should be matching it to, you should also be thinking about the shape of your face.

“Hats are back this year, and they’re bigger than ever before. A hat makes all the difference to an outfit. You can have quite a plain suit or dress, but the hat makes it look stunning,” explains Felicity Emmett, owner of Merseyside-based Felicity Hat Hire, who has 20 years’ experience selling and hiring out hats.

Tall people can wear any hat and wide brims look great on them, as do down-brims and flop styles, she adds.

Shorter people should go for smaller hats, which don’t crowd the face.

As for colours – go bright. Lime green, pink and lilac are all in, as is black and white.

Felicity believes that there is a hat to suit everybody.

“People with round faces should go for wide brims. Those with thinner faces should avoid tall hats with small brims – this will only make their faces look long. Instead, try a medium brim.”

A hat doesn’t have to ruin your hair either. If you go for a wide brim with a high crown, you can avoid the dreaded “hat hair”.

Despite the generally accepted idea that people who wear glasses should avoid wearing hats, Felicity says it’s just a case of creating some depth between them and the brim of the hat.

She recommends a Breton style that turns up at the brim.

And for those who really don’t want to wear a hat, fascinators are still very fashionable.

This year, long quills are in, positioned on the side of the head. Younger women often go for a fascinator as they’re light and suit their delicate outfits.

Felicity says men love women in hats: “I’m always being complimented. When I wear a hat, I feel that I walk tall. I believe elegance is an attitude, and a hat gives you that.”

Finally, remember to position your hat properly. It should sit slightly tilted on the top of the head, not on the back.