A wedding is one of the rare occasions when the hat becomes a true dress code again. The good news: it is also a chance to enjoy yourself. A few simple rules make it possible to be elegant without ever upstaging the couple.
For her: capeline, cocktail hat or fine straw
The capeline is the queen of summer ceremonies: its wide brim frames the face, shields from the sun through the drinks reception and photographs beautifully. Choose it in a tone that converses with the outfit without repeating it exactly. If you are wary of volume, a cocktail hat or a medium-brimmed hat offers the same dressed-up touch with more freedom of movement — a real advantage for embracing, dancing and getting into a car.
For him: panama or felt, according to the season
For a wedding from May to September, a panama with a dark band is a safe choice: it brightens a suit and comes off in a single gesture at the moment of the ceremony. In autumn or winter, a felt fedora, in a tone matched to the coat or the suit, brings the same distinction. The trilby, more relaxed, suits country weddings and outfits without a tie.
The customs worth knowing
- Hats come off indoors, particularly in church and at the table — gentlemen above all; the cocktail hat and the ceremonial capeline may stay in place.
- Avoid white and ivory, reserved for the bride, unless explicitly agreed.
- Think of the wind: a very wide capeline in an exposed setting can become a burden; a medium brim is sometimes wiser.
- Try the hat with the hairstyle planned for the day itself, not only with your hair down.
Finally, do not discover your hat on the morning of the wedding. Wear it for an hour or two at home a few days beforehand: you will check its comfort, get used to the wearing of it, and on the day itself it will be forgotten — which is exactly what is asked of it.