How Do You Wear a Fascinator?

Fascinators have continued to grow more popular over the years, and while there are many casual styles to choose from, it helps to know how to practice proper etiquette when wearing one.

How Fascinators Are Worn

Women can wear fascinators in many ways, simply attaching the clip or headband to the head, but it’s normally worn affixed to the side or front of the head. While you can wear a fascinator on either the right or left side of your head, traditionally, a fascinator is worn on the right-hand side of your face. Fascinators arguably look best when worn immediately above the eyebrow. Wanting a hat with a veil attachment but not sure how to wear a fascinator with netting? Simply, a fascinator with netting or a veil attachment may be worn over the eye.

You can also wear a fascinator as a tiara or toward the rear of the head if the hair is in an updo or has a curled or chignon hairstyle.

The Best Ways To Style A Fascinator

Here are some basic guidelines to follow when wearing a fascinator:

• Keep the fascinator in proportion with the head, hairstyle, and body. For instance, try to avoid dainty fascinators if you have large hair, instead complementing it with a bigger fascinator.
• Maintain a simple hairstyle to keep it from distracting from the fascinator. Consider something like a slicked-back hairstyle or a simple ponytail.
• Stay classy and stylish. You don’t need to wear an enormous peacock feather to stand out. Instead, keep it simple but appealing.

How To Wear A Fascinator Hat With A Comb

There are certain ways to properly wear a comb-based fascinator, including:

• Back combing or teasing the hair on the side of the head where you’ll wear the fascinator, which gives it a better base for gripping.
• Gently push the comb in the opposite direction prior to sliding it in place, which picks up and weaves more hair between the teeth of the comb for a better grip.
• Use hairspray to further help improve the fascinator’s grip, but make sure you don’t spray directly on the fascinator.
• Use a few hairpins to keep the comb firmly in place.

How to Wear A Headband Fascinator

Typically, headband-based fascinators are small enough to discreetly attach to the head, which you can wear by first pulling the hair away from the face. To hide the headband wire, your hair can be placed over the headband when you are styling it.

How to Wear Elastic Strap Fascinators

If a fascinator uses an elastic strap, make sure you position it behind your head. You can place the elastic either around the nape of the neck or behind the ears, but always avoid wearing it under the chin. You may want to consider using a bobby pin to help with attachment.

How to Attach a Fascinator to Your Hair

The way you attach a fascinator to your hair depends on the fascinator style. However, whether you are wearing a headband fascinator or a fascinator with a comb, universally, one thing is true: freshly-washed hair won’t be as easy to style with a fascinator as day-old hair. This is because your day-old hair contains natural oils that help keep your hairstyle in place. So, depending on your hair type, it is important to make sure you wash your hair 1-3 days before the day you need to wear your fascinator hat. Using a texturizing spray or hairspray can also help keep your fascinator in place.

How to Choose a Fascinator Based On Your Hairstyle

For optimal results, ask your hairdresser for advice or book a styling appointment with a hairdresser that has experience with fascinator hairstyles. However, there is nothing that says you can’t achieve a beautifully styled look on your own.

If you plan on wearing your hair down and going for a voluminous look, a larger fascinator will look best. If you are wearing your hair in a loose up-do, a medium-sized fascinator will work better and look more balanced. If you wish to wear a tight-slicked back up-do or if you have short hair, a smaller fascinator is a great option, as it will keep your hat from overpowering the rest of your look.

Lastly, it is important to consider your hair color. If you have darker hair, go for a lighter colored fascinator, and vice versa. This will ensure that your fascinator “pops” and won’t blend in with your hair.

Fascinator Etiquette

Fascinators come with several rules for wearing them. First, it’s important to remember that others are unable to see through the fascinator, meaning you’ll want to make sure you’re not blocking anyone’s view when wearing them at an event. Avoid wearing fascinators at any event with stadium seating, including movie theaters and symphonies.

If you are taller than your escort, you may also consider wearing a shorter fascinator.

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Keeping these tips in mind can help ensure you get the most out of your fascinators whenever you wear them for that special occasion. We also have  Kentucky Derby hats for sale. Contact us if you are interested.