Fascinators

You just found an invitation to a wedding in your mailbox, or do you plan to go to that garden party or a formal ball? You surely want to look your very best and sparkle with an elegant fascinator decorated with frivolous feathers.

The history of fascinators

A fascinator is a millinery hat style that includes formal headpieces.Even in the nineteenth century, women wore fascinators, sometimes called clouds, at cocktail parties and to the theatre. Since the 1990s, women have worn fascinators as an alternative to wearing hats to parties, weddings and other formal events.

It is usually a large decorative design attached to a band or clip. The function of a fascinator is purely cosmetic, as it covers very little of the head. A fascinator does not protect you from the sun or cold.

The trend for wearing fascinators became popular in 2010 when (royal) milliners like Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones started to dress famous & rich women with these headpieces.

At BRONTÉ, you can buy fascinators in various sizes and colours. There are subtle pieces like Anne: a petit fascinator made of curled sinamay straw and little feathers.

You can also buy veiled fascinators like Veerle or Sheila.

Veerle has a full veil that you can use in various ways. A veil always adds a mysterious tingle to the face of a woman. If you want to sip from your glass, you pleat the veil away from your face. Sheila is a disc fascinator, trimmed with leave shaped feathers and a sinamay bow. The veil of Sheila is shorter but versatile in use. This veil is a stunning detail.

All our fascinators are mounted on a comfortable headband the same colour as the design: after 10 minutes, you have forgotten that you are wearing it, and you will be the precious beauty at the party. Check the full range of fascinators for women's favourites  like Sheila.

How to wear a fascinator?

We have noticed that some women sometimes struggle to put the fascinator on. Usually, milliners design a fascinator to place the decoration at your right ear side. That way, your partner walks along your left side and is not hindered by the decoration.
We advise that you select the size of the fascinator according to the event and your position as a guest. The more grandeur the event has, the larger the headpiece can be.
Be aware that, at events like the Royal Enclosure area at the famous Ascot Races annually in June, women are not allowed when wearing a small fascinator.

If you have questions concerning the size or style of a fascinator, we invite you to email us your question. Our style experts have many years of experience in millinery and will assist you with pleasure.