Irving Penn - Vintage Fashion Photo

Race-day fashions had a big outing this Melbourne Cup Day. I had the pleasure of being in the CBD, watching sharp-suited men escorting their well-heeled, be-fascinatored women. Everyone looking very well; lovely. I’m a big fan of the fascinator, personally I think there should be more occasions to wear them! The more frivolous the better.

Fascinators, in my view are the perfect combination of elegance, flirtation and drama; they are the antithesis of work. They’re feminine and in my experience donning a fascinator has ALWAYS followed a thoroughly enjoyable event.

In fact, I found an online definition for fascinators as, “delicate, slightly-to-very frivolous head decoration”. Originally however, the term described shawl-like headcoverings made out of wool and lace… not so fabulous. Thank goodness for the milliners renaissance.

In Brisbane, Alexandra Harper is a haute-couture milliner who makes amazing pieces. Myer is also stocking a sparkling array of fascinators if you’re not looking for an artisan’s work. So there is really no excuse for not having one in your collection.

And when should you reach for that fabulous fascinator?

• if champagne is being opened
• weddings
• funerals
• cocktail parties (or ‘cocktail attire’ is called for)
• launching a boat… or other mode of transport
• fancy dress
• high-tea/lunch with the girls