Fascinating...
November 6th 2011 03:42
In just a few short years, the fascinator has risen out of fashion obscurity to become costume de rigueur for posh daytime events. The problem with the fascinator is that it walks a tightrope between two more established pieces of headwear: it's not quite a hat, but it's not merely a hair accessory either. As such, it's a tricky piece to get looking just right, and many women have failed in the process.
Take these two women, for example: Jennifer Hawkins, and Rebecca Judd (formerly Rebecca Twigley). As Australian models and socialites, they aren't exactly what you'd call celeb royalty but they're the best we've got as far as local Bright Young Things are concerned. They're always on call for major events such as the Melbourne Cup Carnival (the highlight of Australia's spring horse racing season), and as a pair they seem to have the unique talent of either getting their combined outfits so very, very right, or completely, utterly and horribly wrong.
Here they are at the Melbourne Cup in 2010:
And here they are 12 months later, at the Melbourne Cup in 2011:
As you can see, a fascinator can truly make or break an outfit - get it wrong and you'll look ridiculous, but get it right and you can look like a queen (the royal kind, that is, not the drag variety). Here are some basic tips for choosing the right fascinator for you.
1) Balance is the key. If your outfit is demure or minimalistic, you can afford to err on the flamboyant side when it comes to your fascinator. If, however, you're already showing cleavage or your dress is composed of more than one bright colour, then you'll need to keep your fascinator relatively small and simple.
2) Complement, complement, complement. Posh events are not the time for visual irony! If your dress has elements of flapper style, then your fascinator should look like it's from the 1920s too. Generally speaking, your headwear needs to add value to your overall look, rather than detracting from it.
3) Proper positioning. On the practical side of things, a fascinator looks best when it's affixed slightly to one side at the front of your head, with no bits and pieces hanging in your face. Make sure that you use good quality hair grips to keep it in position, and take some extras in your purse just in case, as nothing is more annoying than a fascinator that refuses to stay put.
4) If in doubt, chuck it out. There's no point in wearing a fascinator if it makes you feel silly or self-conscious: just wear a hat instead. You certainly won't be alone, as there are plenty of uber-stylish women who wouldn't even consider wearing a fascinator in the first place, on the grounds of its impracticality.
Whichever piece of headwear you choose, you should always wear it with confidence, for when it comes to fashion the right attitude will go a long way towards making you look like the goddess that you are on the inside. Have fun with it, and enjoy the rest of the season!
But not Kate Middleton. Failure is simply not an option for her.
Take these two women, for example: Jennifer Hawkins, and Rebecca Judd (formerly Rebecca Twigley). As Australian models and socialites, they aren't exactly what you'd call celeb royalty but they're the best we've got as far as local Bright Young Things are concerned. They're always on call for major events such as the Melbourne Cup Carnival (the highlight of Australia's spring horse racing season), and as a pair they seem to have the unique talent of either getting their combined outfits so very, very right, or completely, utterly and horribly wrong.
Here they are at the Melbourne Cup in 2010:
Exquisite: Jennifer Hawkins (left) and Rebecca Judd's fascinators complement their dresses to perfection.
And here they are 12 months later, at the Melbourne Cup in 2011:
O...M...G... It's no mean feat, but those ghastly fascinators have somehow managed to overshadow the visual cacophony that is the womens' outfits.
As you can see, a fascinator can truly make or break an outfit - get it wrong and you'll look ridiculous, but get it right and you can look like a queen (the royal kind, that is, not the drag variety). Here are some basic tips for choosing the right fascinator for you.
1) Balance is the key. If your outfit is demure or minimalistic, you can afford to err on the flamboyant side when it comes to your fascinator. If, however, you're already showing cleavage or your dress is composed of more than one bright colour, then you'll need to keep your fascinator relatively small and simple.
2) Complement, complement, complement. Posh events are not the time for visual irony! If your dress has elements of flapper style, then your fascinator should look like it's from the 1920s too. Generally speaking, your headwear needs to add value to your overall look, rather than detracting from it.
3) Proper positioning. On the practical side of things, a fascinator looks best when it's affixed slightly to one side at the front of your head, with no bits and pieces hanging in your face. Make sure that you use good quality hair grips to keep it in position, and take some extras in your purse just in case, as nothing is more annoying than a fascinator that refuses to stay put.
4) If in doubt, chuck it out. There's no point in wearing a fascinator if it makes you feel silly or self-conscious: just wear a hat instead. You certainly won't be alone, as there are plenty of uber-stylish women who wouldn't even consider wearing a fascinator in the first place, on the grounds of its impracticality.
Whichever piece of headwear you choose, you should always wear it with confidence, for when it comes to fashion the right attitude will go a long way towards making you look like the goddess that you are on the inside. Have fun with it, and enjoy the rest of the season!
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