Yorkshire’s Milliner, Valerie Wyvill Tells All.
Want to wear a hat for your son or daughter’s wedding day but overwhelmed by choice?
There are so many different shapes & styles of hats and headwear out there for Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom that picking one can seem very daunting. Let me guide you through some questions to ask yourself while searching for the right hat, fascinator or headpiece! Remember your choice of headwear should complement your face and outfit and leave you feeling comfortable, confident and like a million dollars.
1-Should I choose my outfit before the headpiece?
Unless you have a family heirloom piece that you wish to wear, it is much easier to match a hat colour to an outfit rather than vice versa. Your outfit choice will already reflect your personality and lend itself to finding the right style and colour hat combination.
2-Where do I start with colours and patterns?
It may be tempting to choose a hat, outfit, shoes and bag that are all colour matched however don’t overlook picking an accent colour from your dress and style your hat to match this instead of the main outfit colour. Opting for tonal hues is another way of blending colours in your headpiece also. Bold hat colours tend to work well when contrasted with neutral dress colours and also mean you have more freedom for matching accessories.
If you’ve chosen a statement dress then a plain hat with some trims reflecting a pattern or design in the outfit can work well. If you want your hat to make a statement then pairing with a plain colour or patterned dress can also be a lovely look.
Another thing to check is that your hat works with your skin tone and hair colour. A milliner will give you some good advice & styling tips.
3-What hat style suits me?
There are so many different hats and fascinators available that it can be very overwhelming. My advice is to enjoy some shopping trips with your daughter/daughter in law to be. Make an appointment with a milliner to start having fun. Nothing beats trying on lots to see what suits your face shape, and try not discount a hat before you’ve tried it on. Let the experts guide you, you might just be surprised! Look for lightweight sinamay or straw bases for spring|summer and luxurious fur felts and velvets for autumn|winter. Contact Valerie here.
4-Can I reflect my personality in my hat?
Whether you are fun-loving, whimsical, down-to-earth or quiet, choose a style that reflects your unique personality. If you have chosen a particularly elaborate mother of the bride outfit, it may be best to go with something simple but elegant in a headpiece, but if your outfit is fairly plain it may be fun to go with something a little more creative and fun for a headpiece. In saying all of this, you must be comfortable on the day so ensure to follow your own style when it comes time to pick a hat for the wedding. Stick to what you know and love for your outfit and choose a hat that leaves you feeling your fabulous best. Why not invest in a bespoke piece made just for you. Look at some bespoke client pictures here from Valerie Millinery Collections. Also check out this previous blog on "Mother of the Bride, Should I wear a hat?
5- Will my headwear be comfortable and fit right?
While you want to look your best on your wedding day and probably feel that there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do to look beautiful, when it comes to headpieces comfort and correct fit are important. Choose a style that you feel confident wearing and insure that it fits the shape and size of your head perfectly. High-street hats are a one size fits all while choosing to rent or buy from a milliner ensures the head fit is correct to you. It will be handmade. Bare this in mind. See Valerie Millinery Collections hat hire here
6-Why should I consider custom made?
Sometimes no matter how many headpieces you try on you just cannot find the “perfect one”. If you have a clear idea in mind of what you want consider getting a milliner who offers a personalized hat design service to custom make your perfect headpiece. Let them handcraft a one-of-a-kind, handmade headpiece which is perfect just for you.
Also check out my Frequently Asked Questions on my website. you might just find an answer to your question, or you may want to ask me something. Please do get in touch, I will be more than happy to help.
Contact Valerie by telephone 01423 541005 or email valerie@valeriemillinerycolections.com
Studio by appointment only
