"The hat is not for the street: it will never be democratized. But there are certain houses that one cannot enter without a hat. And one must always wear a hat when lunching with people whom one does not know well. One appears to one's best advantage."
—Coco Chanel
Above: David & Victoria Beckham [in a hat by Philip Treacy], at the wedding of Prince William & Catherine Middleton, Friday 29 April 2011, at Westminster Abbey
Today, travel & fashion collide, as we catch a breathtaking glimpse of the beautiful world of hats, exploring some of the new and best millinery studios around the world, discovering a little of their history, and concluding with a few tips for wearing and preserving these impossibly chic fashion accessories.
Above: Diana, Princess of Wales, wears tartan by Caroline Charles and a beret to the Braemar Games, September 1981
And as we take a look at the fine art of millinery, it is wonderful to reflect on the tradition of hat-wearing—one that began many, many years ago . . .
. . . and if there were enough hours in the day, would spend so much more time enveloped in letters & emails, but happily, there happened to be a few moments when parisian rime adrodaky's lovely note & portfolio landed in the inbox, filled with the most startlingly lovely gowns; the one-time designer for sonia rykiel's designs are an enchanting mix of sexy and modern, with plunging backs, silk bodices, layers of tulle, and beribboned lace . . .
[{p.s.} wouldn't the little lace jacket at the end be stunning with jeans?] x
. . . and while saturday mornings are lovely things in and of themselves, this one began drenched in golden sunlight, the kind that warms one's face on a bright winter's day, flooding hearts with happiness uncontained; and this weekend is red wine and good music, sorting & organising and plotting & planning, coffee table picnics and delicious nostalgia, and there's still sunday . . .
hope you're having a perfectly wonderful weekend, and that it's beautiful where you are, roséline xo
. . . ordinarily, at the beginning of a new work week, it's tailored elegance in the form of pencil skirts and pantsuits, but truth be told, things have not felt ordinary for weeks now, since the holidays began, and have been exchanging ponytails for chignons and wearing sequins in the morning, even before the first cup of coffee, proving it really is the most wonderful time of year . . .
. . . quite stunning, actually, how we have arrived at december so quickly, and in such a beautiful whirl of hours and days, flying at breathtaking speeds, only to arrive at the end, the very last month of an extraordinary year, and soon there will be the making of resolutions and plans for a new year, but for now, immensely looking forward to twinkling crystal & mimosas at festive brunches, holiday soirées and elegant dinners by candle & fairy light, to sequined dresses and upswept hair, and most of all, to a little time spent with those we love . . .
happy december! wishing you days filled with the utter magic of the holiday season, roséline xo
. . . and after spending the summer in billowy dresses, should think it rather lovely to spend the autumn in pantsuits, wool and tweed, and perhaps even tartan, perfectly offset by a pretty blouse and sexily tousled hair and it's all in a day's work . . .
