Since the royal wedding of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, you may have heard some chatter about hats versus fascinators. However, the conversation about hats versus fascinators is not new.
Hats and fascinators have been sitting side by side on the racks of fashion boutiques and haute couture milliners like Philip Treacy for decades. Nevertheless, it’s important to know that these two fashion accessories are not the same.
Hats vs Fascinators
There are a few crucial factors that can help you distinguish between the two. Don’t shrug off these details. The decision to wear a hat or a fascinator can define the event and your status.
In this guide, you’ll see what all the fuss is about when it comes to these iconic fashion statement pieces – the hat versus the fascinator.
What are Hats?
There are dozens of different types of head coverings. However, most of us recognize hats and are pretty familiar with the different types and designs.
Essentially, hats cover the whole head and sport a brim. They are exclusively larger than fascinators and have more material on them. People wear hats for various reasons, including protection against the weather, religious beliefs, safety, as a fashion accessory, or for ceremonial reasons, such as graduation.
There are both women’s and men’s hat styles, as well as unisex options. These cool accessories have been popular all over the world since the 19th century. Hats were first worn by military men, nurses, and those in other occupations that required uniforms.Â
Some of the common hat styles mentioned below can be worn at a number of formal events and special occasions, such as the Annual Royal Ascot.
The Ascot Hat
The Ascot Hat is also known as the Cuffley cap or Lippincott cap. It is a hard and round men’s cap. There are no seams in the crown, the hat usually comes in one color, and it can be made in an array of materials.
The Bowler or Derby Hat
Made from hard felt, with a rounded crown and curled brim, the Derby or Bowler hat has been a classic almost since its introduction in 1849. They’re traditionally worn by men, however in Bolivia, women also wear bowler hats.
Fedora
A fedora is a type of hat with a low-sitting crown and a short to medium-sized brim. Sometimes the brim curves up along the edges and runs all the way around the crown. Fedoras have a hatband around the bottom of the crown, made of grosgrain ribbon or leather, depending on the style.
The Cloche
This fitted bell-shaped women’s hat has held its place in fashion since its creation by milliner Caroline Reboux in 1908. However, cloche hats certainly reigned supreme during their heyday, the jazz era of the 1920s. If that doesn’t ring a bell, think The Great Gatsby.
Top Hat
This cylindrical hat with the high crown and small upturned brim has been a classic for men almost since 1797. It’s a dress hat, best matched with some dress shoes. A top hat will instantly add a touch of formality to any attire.
Cocktail Hat
A cocktail hat is a small, extravagant, and typically brimless hat for women. Cocktail hats were first created in the 1930s and popular up to the late 1960s.
Cocktail hats are usually a component of evening wear and otherwise monikered as ‘larger fascinators’. However, unlike a fascinator, cocktail hats have a fully formed and visible base.
They are often veiled and sit on the side of the head. Cocktail hats can be held in place with a simple hatpin.
Doll Hat
Not to be confused with a children’s dolls hat, the doll hat is a scaled down hat worn by women that can be of any design. Doll hats are generally worn at the front of the head.
These small hats are usually held in place with a band of fabric or elastic secured at the back of the head.
Pillbox Hat
The Pillbox hat is a popular hair adornment still worn by members of the Royal family. This fascinator hat can be worn as a decorative headpiece. You might see a few at premium horse-racing events such as the Kentucky Derby.
What is a Fascinator?
The term fascinator first surfaced in Europe in the 17th century. Marie Antoinette herself was fond of fascinators and frequently wore ornately decorated ones. Back then, the fascinator was a lacy scarf that women wrapped around their heads or fastened under their chin.
This version of the hat was meant to give women an air of mystery but lost its appeal to the public after the 20th century.
However, in the 1960s the fascinator made a comeback thanks to the designer and milliner John P. John from New York. At the time, women wore fascinators, especially when entering a church.
Today’s fascinator, the linear descendant of the cocktail hat, is constructed quite differently. It usually has a small base, perched rakishly on the side or top of the head and attached with combs, clips, pins or elastic, or a combination of all these, to keep it in place. The contemporary fascinator is not really a formed hat at all.
Nowadays, modern brides wear bridal fascinators as an alternative to veils. This head covering is also a popular choice for wedding guests.
Modern Fascinators
The tradition to wear fascinators during church services continues – especially during weddings. Most recently, many female guests, like Princess Beatrice of York, wore fascinators at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.
The modern fascinator is more than just a lacy scarf worn by women. It’s usually large in size (but often smaller than a hat) and consists of various decorative items such as feathers, beads, and flowers.
These small hats can come attached to hairbands, combs (also known as a comb fascinator), or a hair clip.
Some of the most famous fascinator designers are the milliners Stephen Jones, Philip Treacy, Jess Collett, Mr. Song and Christine Moore.
So, What is the Difference Between a Hat and a Fascinator?
Fascinator vs hat – what is the difference? The main differences between a fascinator and a hat are that fascinators only cover a part of the head and can be worn on the side of the head. Whereas hats cover the entirety of the head with a large brim.
A fascinator cannot stand on the wearer’s head by itself like a hat. In most cases, fascinators are also designed to have beads, flowers, or feathers on them and to serve as a decoration. This is why it is also known as the ‘wedding hat’, as its opulence adds to the festivities of the occasion.
Final Thoughts on Hats vs Fascinators
Both the hat and the fascinator are iconic fashion pieces and status symbols that have been around for decades. These, alongside luxury handbags, will continue to be some of the most sought-after accessories, especially for formal occasions. Choosing to wear a hat or fascinator is a matter of personal preference and also depends on the formality of the occasion.
Hopefully, this guide has cap-tivated your attention and helped you understand the differences between fascinators and hats. So, the next time you get dolled up, it will be hats off to you.
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