‘ A piece of magic is a hat’ (Martha Sliter) taken from ‘ A hat is to be stylish in, to glow under, to flirt beneath, to make all others seem jealous over, and to make all men feel masculine about. A piece of magic is a hat’.

Alison Bull from Gorgeous & Glorious, unique millinery gives her top tips on how to get the best hat for you…

– Try some on, and then try some more. Try lots of different styles. There are plenty of ‘rules’ about face shape and size of hats but choosing the best style is really about trial and error. A Milliner will be able to help you with this.

– Think about how the hat/headpiece will look from all angles. This is particularly important for Mother’s of the Bride and Groom – remember that people will be sitting behind you and will want the to enjoy a glorious view of your hat !

– Colour is vitally important as the hat is so close to your face, therefore take time to choose a shade that matches your complexion and is flattering

– Consider your silhouette as a whole, is there balance between your outfit and your hat ?

– If you wear glasses, make sure you have them with you when trying on hats, a style with an uplifted brim is usually a good choice

– Always take your outfit with you when shopping for your hat/headpiece – unless of course you are starting with the hat

– Ensure the hat is a good fit. A hat that is too big or too small can be as uncomfortable as a badly fitting pair of shoes. The better fitted hat will also reduce ‘hat hair’ syndrome.

– If you have long hair  it is a good idea to wear it in a neat ‘up do’, this really helps elongate the neck and show your hat and face to best advantage. If you prefer to wear your hair down then try to keep it away from your face as much as you can

– Think about how the hat makes you feel, it should bring a smile to your face when you look in the mirror

– Be ready to talk about your hat, they attract attention and compliments!

Remember  How a hat makes you feel is what a hat is all about’ (Philip Treacy).