With the most glamorous event of the year just around the corner, get ready to make an entrance at the long-awaited Dubai World Cup with some standout headwear. Rachel Trevor-Morgan, milliner to HM The Queen of England, shares her insider tips on finding the perfect finishing touch to any race-worthy ensemble.
Use your head
Although I would certainly say that there are no set rules, an important consideration when it comes to finding your ideal headpiece is choosing the right shape for your face. My collaboration with Jacques Vert includes an array of styles suitable for all profiles. Here is a rough guide to help narrow down the options:
• Oval - you are spoilt for choice as lots of styles flatter oval face shapes. Choose smaller pillboxes, disc headpieces or wider brims, as they will all suit your proportions. Keep an eye on your whole silhouette to ensure the balance is right and the brim doesn't overpower your features.
• Round - to add definition and elongate your face, go for taller hats and pillbox styles. Vertical design features and trimmings can make a big difference, directing the eye upward and off the face.
• Square - wide brims and asymmetric lines are good options, or try a pillbox - just remember to wear the hat at an angle to soften your jawline and help slim your face shape.
• Oblong - to achieve some width, avoid small hats and instead go for pieces that have volume in the trimming, such as the addition of flowers or feathers, as balance is key. Cloche hats also work well.
• Heart Shaped - another face shape that suits a variety of styles. Disc headpieces and slice hats work particularly well, with asymmetric details providing balance to prevent your chin from looking narrower.
Keep an eye on your outfit
Firstly, wear a hat that complements your whole ensemble. Ensure you are taking into account your bag and shoes as well as thinking about your overall silhouette and do not forget to consider any prints or patterns.
Complement your body shape
Whatever the occasion, a good trick when hat shopping is to stand in front of a full-length mirror, studying your reflection from all sides. This ensures your chosen piece is flattering from all angles - an important consideration as a hat can help define your silhouette. Even if you do not feel ready to wear a full brimmed hat, a smaller disc headpiece is great for a subtle effect that can still make an impact. Remember that your choice of style should be in proportion to your body shape. Feathers are a key trend this season.
Choose your style and own it
Finally, you should always make sure to choose a style that makes you feel confident and elegant - a piece that blends perfectly with your outfit and character. Remember that you should be wearing the hat and not the other way around. You cannot go wrong with a neutral colour that can be worn with a variety of different outfits so feel free to experiment with your look. Most importantly - have fun and enjoy the races!
Rachel Trevor-Morgan has collaborated on a range of hats with British occassionwear brand Jacques Vert, available from the brand's concession which opened recently in Debenhams, Mirdif City Centre.