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 bespoke 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 items – purchased from the Online Shop – hats and headpieces may have a universal fitting such as a headband, or a specialist clip, which will fit all head sizes; or may be secured using a millinery elastic (a fine elastic band) that sits at the back of your head underneath your hair at the nape of your neck, holding the piece securely in place. Customisation options – please leave a note in the comments box of the online checkout form to request a customisation of the fitting of a Ready-to-Wear item e.g. to change the elastic colour. Once your hat or headpiece has been altered it is subject to the same terms and conditions as a bespoke couture order.

Alternatively, a couture bespoke hat or headpiece made especially for you may feature an adjustable wire frame. This will fit your head and is worn in a similar way to a hairband. For extra security, it may also have a millinery elastic (a fine elastic band) designed to sit at the back of your head just underneath your hair at the nape of your neck to keep the piece securely in place.

Universal Sizing

Many pieces, known by some as “hatinators”  will be described as having a universal fitting; this is often wide comfortable headband, that fits most head sizes. If you commissioned your particular hat or headpiece i.e. it is a couture bespoke piece made especially for you, the piece may have an adjustable wire frame cage 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 at the nape of your neck to hold the piece in securely in place.

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

Bespoke Couture Fitting If the piece you are ordering 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. The chart below gives a useful guide to hat and head sizes.

Head sizing and measurements

How to measure your head size

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.