Ascot Aspirations: What to wear this summer season!

Jess Collett Milliner: Summer Season Style Guide

The summer is coming.

Thank Christ it’s the nearly the season for warm weddings, garden parties and the races – we can’t promise sunshine in England no, (we can only hope) but we can promise a jam packed calendar full with social events that you’re going to want to look drop dead gorgeous at.

 We understand the up most importance of looking and feeling effortlessly stylist and beautiful throughout the summer. So we have put together a little style guide for you so that there doesn’t need to be too much fretting and worrying about nailing that look. We are putting together our top designer pairings as well as of course hats to match. We’ll cover a few basic trends and also classic looks that’ll be a winner every time.

How to rock the florals:

Florals – Despite popular opinion they are pretty ground breaking. A good floral look automatically adds a touch of femininity and can either create a sweet and delicate look or a bold flamboyant number!

• Larger florals and bold patterns are great for making a statement. Try a Rixo print dress and a colourful JCM feather spray. This look will turn heads but also be elegant and so appropriate for summer occasions. We love this look for ascot where people aren’t afraid go bold! You could also try a Dolce and Gabbana style dress with large colourful embroidery and our drop dead gorgeous golden crown to feel like an Italian goddess at any garden party or wedding you may grace this year.

• Ditsy Florals are sweet and delicate. Lara Hughes Young wore a beautiful light blue ditsy floral print dress to the royal wedding last year paired with our beautiful ivory crinoline sweep hat. Emilia Wickstead and Anna Mason are dominating the florals this year. We recommend out Forget me knot hat with a soft straw base and is dotted with delicate, ditsy blue and green flowers. This hat is so versatile and matches many outfits because of its neutral base. It is a bespoke piece and can be made with flowers in any colours to match any outfit.

Black and white:

Black and white is always a classic – Meghan Markle graced ascot last year wearing a neat white dress with a striking Philip Tracy Hat. We recommend doing the black and white look with an edge. Grab a slick white jumpsuit and add a chunky black belt, top with our elegant top hat trimmed with suble pink flowers and you’re ready to take on the races.

Black and white can also look gorgeous for a wedding. We recommend graphic black and white floras with a delicate white hat or hairband for a wedding look. Try out our Pippa Fiorella hat in white.

Be a Colour Queen:

A pop of colour never fails in summer. Last year Georgia Toffilo wore a golden dress paired with a fuscia coloured Jess Collett hat. It’s a great way to catch the limelight and feel fabulous. Bold colours work very well for summer weddings too, they’re always very refreshing and make you feel fabulous. We love Emilia Wicksteads bright red dresses for this summer which we would pair with our Erte piece. Francesca Cumani wears colours well and always pulls of a bold and colourful vintage look so well.

A classic loook never fails either, try being a golden goddess to a wedding this season and you'll get so many compliments you'll never want to wear anything else!

Jess loves styling here in the studio and if our little guide was not enough to help you figure out the outfit this year then do book and appointment and come in. We would be delighted to help you pick a hat for your outfit or happy to help with outfit choices too. You never know with hats, its always the unexpected ones that can make you feel the most amazing. As jess says, a hat is your passport to adventure, it can take you places. So don’t forget this year to dress up fearlessly and enjoy the opportunity while the weather permits!