How to Wear a Fascinator

Whether you're attending a wedding, the races or a formal event, the right fascinator will add the final flourish to your occasion look.

But firstly, what is a fascinator? Put simply, a fascinator is a headpiece crafted from a moulded base adorned with embellishments like bows, feathers and beads. It rests on a headband, comb or clip that's secured to the wearer's head and is designed to make a statement. Next, what is fascinator etiquette? Traditionally, a fascinator should be worn on the right-hand side of your head. This originates from the days when a gentleman would walk on a lady's left side, so it was important that her face wasn’t obscured from his view.

Finally, how do you wear a fascinator for a wedding? You want your outfit to feel as special as the occasion, however no one wants to upstage the bride, so it's best to pick a fascinator in a sophisticated, muted colour that doesn't distract from the event. Don't choose a fascinator that's so big it overwhelms your outfit or blocks the view of others during crucial moments. Start by exploring our wedding guest outfits and occasionwear, then pick from our array of fascinators.

If you're wondering how to wear a fascinator with long hair or a sweeping fringe, then choosing a fascinator on a headband is key. It's the perfect two-in-one style: it looks effortlessly elegant, whilst also drawing your hair out of your face for a fuss-free finish.

When it comes to how to wear a fascinator with your hair down, keep it simple. Leave some strands of hair to frame your face by sliding the headband on from above your head an inch or so from the front. This looks particularly chic with loose curls that will disguise the headband.

For those that prefer their hair up, there a few tricks for adding a fascinator. When creating a low, looser do, you can add the fascinator and then twist and secure front strands over the headband so that it's covered. The same applies to a half-up-half-down hairstyle that allows for sections of hair to be secured after you've got your fascinator on.

If you're wondering how to style a fascinator with short hair, clip-in hair accessories will work well for you. They can be neatly secured onto a small section of hair without spoiling your hairstyle.