Find your perfect designer hat: millinery trends and tips

Fashion millinery

Trends and tips

Updated in October 2024

Hat and headpiece styles

With shirt dresses, trench-style coats and pant suits dominating the fashion scene, I designed a series of chic, versatile caps that complement these trends perfectly. These pieces are not just for the race track but other smart occasions in your calendar. They're stylish, easy to wear and perfect for any occasion.

One of my favorites is the Emily Beret – in Mint and Black – inspired by the hit Netflix show "Emily in Paris". This chic French straw beret is adorned with luxurious veiling, bringing an elegant and playful touch to your wardrobe. With a little notice, I can customize it in other colors to suit your style!

The enchanting "Scribble" trim, a combination of contemporary edge displayed by a whimsical flurry of Sinamay streamers, is still adorning multiple hat styles.

If it's shade you're looking for... Designed for multi-function wearing, these hats will be a staple throughout the summer.

Sustainability

While we want you to feel beautiful, sophisticated and in your element wearing a Louise Macdonald Milliner headpiece, we also want to create in the most sustainable way, giving consideration to reducing the environmental and social impact in the production of our luxury headwear.

We do this by creating timeless designs.

When designing our headpieces, we are focused on long-term wearability. We want your Louise Macdonald Milliner headwear to stand the test of time and be worn for many years. We want you to wear Louise Macdonald millinery often, share with friends and family, and consider recycling when you no longer see yourself wearing the hat (more about this below).

With this in mind, we have designed pieces that can be worn casually or to formal occasions. For example, Flossy would be perfect for lunch, the races or a night out. You could wear Brunswick Bowler to that picnic in the park or the races.

Quality

Our hats and headpieces are made to last. Longevity is key when we create with the best quality construction techniques. We want you to be wearing and sharing these millinery designs for years to come.

Materials

In most cases we have used natural materials and in some cases vintage materials to create our designer hats like Windsor Bow (photo below).

Neapolitan (photo above) is made from remnant pieces of straw, adding to a reduction in the disposal of leftovers. What was once destined for the bin, has been used to create a unique one off headpiece.

Packaging: Our hat boxes are made from cardboard that is 100% recyclable.

Recycling: In order to extend the life of your Louise Macdonald Milliner hat, we invite you to return any old headpieces that you no longer have use for. We will pull them apart and offer the materials to students attending our millinery courses. They can be remade, shaped and trimmed into new designs, thus extending their life cycle (contact Louise Macdonald Milliner).

Accessorising
Matching headwear with accessories, shoes, bag, jewellery? A way of making your headpiece pair with a variety of different outfits in your wardrobe is to team it with your shoes or bag. The accessory ensemble can be the constant theme and you can match and mix your outfits around it. Even nail polish and lipstick can be used to help link the hat to your outfit.

Where to view and purchase our hats and headpieces?
Make an appointment to visit Louise Macdonald Milliner's Melbourne studio and view the latest fashion collection, or purchase your favourite piece through the online shop.

Tips for wearing hats and headpieces (for any season)

What makes a good headpiece? What should I look for when purchasing a hat?

1. You want something that suits your face shape and height

If you have a round face, you want to lengthen it by wearing something that is tall or gives your face height. Try a tall crowned pill box or a high headpiece. For example the Venice Beach Beret or Ebony Beret.

If you have a long face, you want to shorten it by wearing something that gives your face width, like a shallow crown or a beret or pill box where the trim is positioned down low, towards the side of your face.

If you have a tiny face, you will be swamped in a big hat and vice versa. You need to find a hat that is in proportion with your face and height. For example, Banana Sundae Beret or Dusty Spring Beret will suit a smaller face. Larger faces will work well with Channing Pillbox.

The best way to approach this is by going to a professional. Not only can they help you choose something that suits you, but also tell you the right way to wear it (keep reading!).

If you can't see a milliner, make sure you try lots of different styles and tilt them at different angles on your head. A headpiece worn straight on the top of your head may look ridiculous, but a little tilt forward and to one side can make you shine! With the smaller headpieces that have been around for a few seasons, it is all about the angle you wear it!

2. You want something that suits your personality!

That tends to be easier to manage. Most people are drawn to fashions that speak to them and reflect their style. Quirky, classic or showstopper!

A few more essential tips to consider when investing in a hat or headpiece:

It's best to buy from a professional, someone who knows about millinery. There are many of us in Melbourne and around Australia. You can get key advice on what suits you and, very importantly, how to wear the hat. Many styles are not as straightforward to wear as your traditional hat. Take a photo of yourself in the hat or headpiece when purchasing it, so you can remember how to position it when getting ready on the day. It's common to see people wearing their hats back to front (the label should go to the back) or tilted in the wrong direction – hats are designed to be worn at a particular angle; if it doesn't look good tipped to the right, try it to the left or wear it straight on.
Take your dress or a photo of you in your dress when you go shopping for a hat. This helps with colour and style choices when discussing options with your hat professional! The visual communication is the best tool to describe your jade green semi structured asymmetric three quarter length jacket!
Experiment with how you arrange your hair. Some women may choose to wear their long locks out as they would most days, but this is not always the best hair style when wearing a hat. Try pulling your hair back in a low ponytail or bun. This elongates the neck and provides a great platform for your headwear! If you have a fringe, try sweeping it to one side or under the hat. How does it look? Or parting your hair on the other side. Depending on how you wear your hat, this can have the effect of shortening or elongating your face. Play around with the options; you'll be surprised with the alternatives.
Make sure your piece is comfortable to wear. Check the hat elastic is not too tight, and it can be secured comfortably to your head without sliding around.

Most importantly, have fun at the races or wherever you go with your beautiful hat!

Latest designer hats and headpieces
Made to measure: a hat designed just for you
Louise's newsletters: all about her fashion collections (and millinery courses)

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