Journal

Inside a London millinery atelier: the tools and the materials

How a couture hat is actually made, from wooden hat blocks and the differences between parasisal, sisal, pinokpok and felt to blocking, stiffener, wire and hand stitching. Written for anyone decidi...

Why formal headwear is being worn again, from inside the workroom

A London milliner's view on the return of formal headwear: the occasion calendar that makes a good hat worth the money, the dress codes that still apply, and what separates a hand-blocked piece fro...

How to choose a men's hat for your face, height and build

A practical fitting guide for men buying a hat: how to measure head circumference properly, what the centimetre figure means, and how brim width, crown height and the way a hat sits should answer t...

A man's guide to hat shapes: fedora, trilby, panama, boater, flat cap and homburg

The six hat shapes a man actually needs to know, explained by crown, brim and occasion. What each one is, who it suits, where it belongs and how to tell it apart from the shape sitting next to it o...

How to care for a felt or straw hat so it lasts for decades

A milliner's guide to handling, storing, drying, cleaning and reblocking a felt or straw hat so a hand-made piece keeps its shape for a lifetime.

How a couture hat is made by hand

An inside look at the London atelier, from blocking and wiring to hand sewing and trimming, and why every stage is worked by hand.

Mother of the bride and mother of the groom hats: how to choose and coordinate

A milliner's guide to choosing mother of the bride and mother of the groom hats, coordinating with the gown and the wedding palette, and finding shapes that flatter.

What hat to wear as a wedding guest

A London milliner's guide to choosing a wedding guest hat by dress code, time of day, your outfit and your role, with the courtesies that keep you clear of the bridal party.