Fascinator Fashion

Perhaps one of the other advantages to the media coverage of the Royal Wedding, is that it introduced many outside of Britain to the phenomenon of "fascinators." Fascinators are an alternative headpiece to a hat, worn at formal occasions, especially weddings, garden parties, and Royal Ascot. They are flirty and frilly and worn atop a headband, instead of a full hat.

After the wedding, Cristen and I decided to go fascinator shopping, and we had so much fun trying them on. It's a wonder we did not get a polite shove out the door in the three stores we visited, but no one seemed to mind our little dress-up party.

Which are your favorites?

A

I started out with some small ones,

B

before working up to something a little more dramatic, 

C

but Cristen jumped right in to the big ones.

D

I mean really, really big ones. Remember these are all attached to a headband.

E

We had an early "fascination" with feathers

F

of all shapes and sizes. Can you see that this one fills the whole frame of the photo, because the black feathers flying off into space are all attached to the band? You'd have to be careful whose nose you were tickling as you turned your head from side to side!

G

This one was fun,

H

and we loved the pink colors.

I

Remember, not a hat--it's a fascinator! This was one of Cristen's favorites.

J

The dress code for Royal Ascot, the horserace I'm attending next month, calls for ladies to wear a hat or "substantial fascinator," which just means one can't go too small for that occasion.

K

This one was a favorite of Cristen's, until she saw the price tag! Pink flowers are in the back ground, not attached. I know it's hard to tell where one stops and another starts.

L

A little quirky

M

somewhat more elegant

N

definitely flirty

O

a conversation piece

P

frilly and

Q

fun.

R

Do you think that we could import this style into Texas? Cristen and I would be tempted to buy even more if we thought we could wear them in Texas when we move back someday.

And finally, I couldn't pass up this chance to share this adorable photo I took of a little girl trying on a ladies' hat while we were playing dress up too. Is she not the cutest thing you've seen in a long time?

I've labeled the fascinators with a letter, if you would like to weigh in on which is your favorite. Do you think we could start up an export business and get the trend started stateside? How fun!  Which one would you like to order for yourself if given the chance???

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway here for a souvenir Royal Wedding edition of  The Sun newspaper. Contest ends on Wednesday, May 11.