Hats for Ladies Day at the races. Wide brims and headpieces that meet the enclosure dress codes and photograph beautifully.
Read the Royal Ascot hat guide
Questions
What is Ladies Day at the races?
Ladies Day is the day of a race meeting given over to fashion as much as racing. At Royal Ascot it is the Thursday, which is also Gold Cup day. At Aintree it is the Friday of the Grand National Festival. Most meetings hold one, and millinery is heavier on that day than on any other of the week.
Do you have to wear a hat on Ladies Day?
In the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot, yes. It asks for a hat, or a headpiece with a solid base of at least 10cm across, and fascinators are not accepted. Aintree Ladies Day has no official dress code and other courses vary. A hat is still the convention almost everywhere on the day.
How big should a Ladies Day hat be?
Big enough to be the point of the outfit and balanced enough to wear for six hours. A wide brim is glorious in the parade ring and awkward in a crowded box, so the enclosure you are in matters more than the number of centimetres. Every piece here is wired and blocked to your own measurement so it stays put.
Can you match a hat to my Ladies Day outfit?
Yes. Colour is matched by hand to a swatch, a photograph or a piece of your own fabric on any commission. Each piece is designed and made in the London atelier by master milliner Monika Perlińska. Allow one to four weeks, and order a clear month ahead if the meeting is in June.