Spring & Summer Fascinators and Race-Day Hats Online

Wearing headpieces to horse races is a time-honoured tradition dating back over 200 years. At events such as Royal Ascot or the Cheltenham Festival, it’s considered a major fashion faux pas to arrive bare-headed. Racing has long been the sport of kings, and your ensemble should reflect that. Historically, elaborate fascinators and hats signified wealth – the more intricate the design, the higher the social status of the wearer. Today, headwear is both a nod to tradition and an opportunity to showcase your unique style and fashion flair.

But how do you style fascinators and hats correctly? First, it helps to know the difference:

• Fascinators are embellished decorations with a small base, secured with pins, clips, combs or a headband.

• Racing hats cover more of the head and often feature wide brims to protect the face from summer sun.

A simple rule: if you’re wearing a dress, a fascinator is ideal; if you’re wearing a skirt suit, opt for a hat. Your headwear should complement the style of your outfit, but it doesn’t have to match the colour exactly – choose a coordinating or contrasting shade to make a confident, stylish statement.