Racing frills

The glorious mix of hats and horses that makes up the Royal meeting at Ascot each summer is a well-established part of the social calendar.

Indeed, it’s been going on for 300 years, ever since Queen Anne saw the potential for a racecourse on this area of open heath not far from Windsor Castle, in 1711.

This year, new sartorial rules have made hats compulsory in the Grandstand and Royal Enclosures (and remember, if you’re attempting egress to the holy of holies, the Royal Enclosure, your headwear must have a base of at least 4in or 10cm across), so choose your millinery accessories with care…

Hats pictured top, clockwise from left: 

Kitty, £88, Bundle MacLaren: www.bundlemaclaren.co.uk

Silk ombre flower on a band, £30, Accessorize: 0844-811 0068, www.accessorize.com

Blue feather headpiece, £65, Deanna DiBene: 01509-632641, www.accessoriesdirect.com

Above, clockwise from top left:

Monochrome fascinator, £18, M&Co: 0800-031 7200, www.mandco.com

Monique flower trim, £99, Jacques Vert at House of Fraser: 0845-602 1073, www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Blue fascinator, £85, Isme: 0844-811 8112, www.isme.com

Debut navy Jacqueline saucer headdress, £45, Debenhams: 0844-561 6161, www.debenhams.com

Dream, £320, Borsalino at www.lovehats.com

Above, clockwise from top left:

Praline and cream Alannah fascinator, £69, Phase Eight at Debenhams: 0844-561 6161, www.debenhams.com

Creamflower fascinator, £30, Accessorize: 0844-811 0068, www.accessorize.com

Georgia fascinator, £30, Phase Eight: 020-7471 4422, www.phase-eight.co.uk

Le Melon, £290, Jill Courtemanche Millinery at www.lovehats.com

Above, clockwise from top left:

Emily, £109 (for two-night hire), Bundle MacLaren: www.girlmeetsdress.com

Rossellini, £595, Judy Bentinck at www.lovehats.com

Mara, £650, Gabriela Ligenza at www.lovehats.com

Vintage rose cap, £29.50, Marks & Spencer: www.marksandspencer.com

Linea oversize plain hat, £95, House of Fraser: 0845-602 1073, www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Above, clockwise from top left:

Pillbox leaf hat, £35, Catarzi at Asos: www.asos.com

Kate, £295, Yvette Jelfs at www.lovehats.com

Mariella, £119, Hobbs London: 0845-313 3130, www.hobbs.co.uk

Waterloo, £395, Vivien Sheriff at John Lewis Stratford: 020-8532 3500, www.johnlewis.com

Above, clockwise from top left:

Hobbs Maisy hat, £119, House of Fraser: 0845-602 1073, www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Lime green trilby-style hat, £190, Holly’s Hats: www.hollyhats.co.uk

Yoyo, £306, Marie Mercié at www.lovehats.com

Dita fascinator, £69, Phase Eight: 020-7471 4422, www.phase-eight.co.uk

Above, clockwise from top left:

Leah, £49 (for two-night hire), Bundle MacLaren: www.girlmeetsdress.com

Cerise pink saucer with black and pink floral feather detail, £225, Holly’s Hats: www.hollyhats.co.uk

Antonia, £225, Marie Mercié: www.lovehats.com

Waterloo, £395, Vivien Sheriff at John Lewis Stratford: 020-8532 3500, www.johnlewis.com

Above: Lady Silvia, £295, Yvette Jelfs at www.lovehats.com. For your chance to win this hat click here.

HOW TO WEAR A HAT

Here are some tips from Vivien Sheriff, who has designed hats for the Duchess of Cambridge, and more than 50 of the guests wore her designs to the Royal Wedding

Avoid colour clashing. Whether you choose a hat in an accent colour or a matching shade, make sure it works with your whole ensemble.

Your hat should flatter your face and your silhouette, so if it doesn’t work, try another shape.

Be daring and try on shapes outside of your comfort zone. You’ll be amazed at what you can carry off.

When a hat is too big or too small, it’s as uncomfortable as an ill-fitting pair of shoes. Make sure the band inside the crown fits your head shape. And if you wear glasses, check they fit well under the brim.

Wear your hat proudly on the top, never the back, of your head. For a more sophisticated look, angle it with a slight dip over your right eyebrow.

For more help with hats, book a complimentary Hat Academy appointment at Peter Jones by calling 020-7730 3434.