Fascinators - shining, decorative headpieces, often set on a comb, clasp or hair band and ideally a frothy cocktail of beads, ribbon and feathers.
Today they are generally mass - produced and on sale in every uplifted journey store. Nobody seems to be indeed undeniable about the origin of the monogram fascinator although in America in the 1860s the confabulation was used for a lacy, woollen shawl worn loosely over the head. This doesnt entirely relate to todays concoctions; my own holding on it is that fascinator is an germane classify in terms of etymology given that they are oftentimes somewhat captivating.
Women have been adorning their mortals throughout history: Roman ladies had mosaic hairstyles; 17th Century noblewomen wore huge and composite wigs; the Victorians had a boater for every occasion; the Edwardians wore knotty feathered hats. When you think about it, it makes great sense both in regards to fashion and practicality most ladies in history would not have had a massive wardrobe of clothes or easy access to hair products and styling. Wigs and hats could make a big fashion statement and cover up a multitude of sins. At the start of the 20th Century hats were a social necessity a lady would not dream of stepping outside without her hat and gloves.
Hats nowadays are usually associated with special occasions, particularly weddings. There is a growing trend towards wearing a fascinator as an alternative. They are more fun than a hat and usually more decorative. Fascinators were popular with the ladies at Ascot in the early 1900s and the 1940s and 1950s saw many exotic little creations known as cocktail hats. During the Second World War however, the wearing of hats sharply declined reflecting the beginning of changes in society and etiquette.
The revival of the purely decorative headpiece in the form of a fascinator can probably be attributed to the Royal Family. The queen ( and indeed most of the guests ) wore one to her grandson Peter Philips wedding in 2008 and then there was Princess Beatrices spectacular headpiece at the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William last year.
Ironically, although they were very popular at Ascot from the early 1900s, fascinators have now been banned from the Royal Enclosure as part of an exercise to tighten up the rules on dress code. This seems a little misguided with so many of the Royal Family regularly wearing them, particularly our lovely Duchess of Cambridge who wears them so well. In the public grandstand however, it will be compulsory to wear a fascinator or a hat.
One things for sure, they will never go away. As the old saying goes, If you want to get ahead, get a hat..... or a fascinator!
