Styling, Sizing and Fitting

Styling your hat or headpiece

It is generally considered traditional for women to wear their hat or headpiece on the right side of their head, tilted slightly forward. If the piece has a feature trim or flowers etc, these are normally attached to suit this position too, so when the piece is worn, for instance in the case of cocktail hats, the feature trim is positioned slightly above the right eyebrow.

How you choose to style your hat or headpiece is a matter of personal taste, of course, however, it is also dependant on the type of hat you choose and your hairstyle. For those buying from my Online Store, you will find a note in the description of each piece to guide you as to how I have designed the piece to be worn. During the design of a couture headpiece, we discuss your preferences for styling and build this into the design itself.

For the avoidance of doubt milliners normally position their hat label at the back of the hat and/or mark the back appropriately.

Universal Fitting

Ready to Wear – purchased from the Online Shop – some hats and headpieces may have a universal fitting such as a headband, or a specialist clip, which will fit all head sizes; or it may have a millinery elastic (band) that sits at the back of your head underneath your hair, holding the piece securely in place. Please leave a note in the comments box of the online checkout form to customise the fitting of a Ready to Wear item, which once it has been altered it is subject to the same terms and conditions as a bespoke couture order.

If the hat or headpiece is a couture bespoke made especially for you, the piece may have a wire claw/cage wire construction that will fit your head like a hairband. For extra security, it may also have a millinery elastic (band) that is designed to sit at the back of your head just underneath your hair to secure the piece securely in place.

Universal Sizing

Many pieces will be described as having a universal fitting so they will fit most head sizes.

If you commissioned your particular hat or headpiece so it is a couture bespoke make especially for you, the piece may have a wire claw/construction that will fit your head like a hairband. For extra security, it may also have a millinery elastic band that sits at the back of your head underneath your hair to hold the piece in a secure place.

Alternatively, the finished piece may be attached to a hairband, which will be a universal head size.

Bespoke Couture Fitting If the piece you are ordering does not have a universal fitting and needs to be fitted to your head more precisely, during your couture consultation your head will be measured and the style of fixing for your hat and headpiece will be discussed. This chart gives a useful guide to hat and head sizes.

The image shows the main measurement being taken that is required for a couture headpiece. In some circumstances – a Zoom appointment etc – it may be helpful for you to measure your head yourself by referencing the image and the sizing chart above.

To measure your head, take a tape measure from the forehead around the widest part of your head and back to meet at the forehead. It is important not to overlap the tape, nor to pull too tightly on the tape or your hat will be too snug. To avoid this, it’s also helpful to insert your little finger under the tape to allow for a small amount of room when measuring. Check the measurements several times and record your head measurement – a measurement in cms. is preferable

If the method of attachment is a couture headband, the measurement across the top of your crown, from the top of one ear across the top of your head and down to the other ear will be taken, too.