Between last spring's royal wedding and this summer's Diamond Jubilee (not to mention the upcoming London Olympics), Anglomania has hit in a major way. Case in point: I've had three friends tell me they wanted to wear fascinators for upcoming weddings. These small headpieces made with feathers, flowers, jewels, or beads attach to the head with a barrette, comb, or headband. They are usually worn off to the side or at the front of the head, and they can easily look ridiculous. "How do I wear one of these things?" one friend asked me this weekend. Intrepid reporter that I am, I went right to work. (You're welcome.)
__• Go traditional. __Simple, classic shapes like mini pillboxes or brimmed hats aren't too distracting—it's when the shapes get oversize or kooky that you begin to look more like a museum piece than a wedding guest.
__• Consider the fabrication. __"For the summer, a straw fascinator feels light and airy, and not too fussy," says milliner Gigi Burris.
__• Bring down the bling. __A few rhinestones are nice, but avoid lots of glitz and be wary of feathers—a couple of long, looped plumes are pretty and have a vintage feel, but anything more looks like a stage costume.
• Pick a side. "A fascinator should always be worn off to the side," says Burris. "Lately it has become a trend to wear them in the front of your head, but that's a bit harder to pull off and is probably best for seasoned hat wearers."
• Balance proportions. "If your hair is sleek, wear a smaller fascinator," says hairstylist Teddi Cranford of Sally Hershberger Downtown salon in New York City. "If your hair is up and loose, a medium-sized fascinator would work, and if your hair is down, the bigger the better."
• Ditch the elastic. "If there is an elastic strap, never, ever, ever wear it underneath your chin. This is a huge faux pas," warns Burris. "Wear the strap behind your ears, at the nape of the neck, and pin it in place. Otherwise, you'll look like you're wearing a birthday hat."
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