One of the finalists in our least favourite hats of 2013 was a hat endearingly nicknamed “the Reindeer” worn by lady Helen Taylor at Trooping the Colour last June. It is actually entitled “The Nimbus” and was designed by Stephen Jones. Here, finally, is a photo where we can actually see it. The detail is quite exquisite although I would have probably done without the second cascade.
Photo from Stephen Jones and Chris Jackson/Getty via Zimbio
Royal Hats 
Not to put a feather in my own cap but I think I christened this hat the Reindeer hat. I thought it was horrible. Seeing it up close… I have to change my tune. It’s not my favorite by any means but it is light, airy and quite pretty. Just nix that second explosion and we’re good. It’s modern but, as some of you said, put it with a boat-necked modern sheath dress and fab heels and it could be fantastic. Part of the fail with Helen is everything she’s worn with it. Seriously- she only forgot the kitchen sink. Yowza.
The lace work on this is very nice but you couldn’t see that at all when she wore the hat. I agree that one spray would have been better than the two.
You have to be the girl to work something like this. She just isn’t.
Definitely better without the 2nd spray/embellishment. And I agree with Martha, there was too much going on with the outfit, it needed to be simple. Though as it was a balcony appearance and we’d most l ikely only be seeing her from the chest up, perhaps LH thought, what the heck, pile it on and at least they’ll notice me in the sea of relatives 😀
If you look at the model, it’s actually very pretty material & a good base design, however the second ‘plume’ makes it look unbalanced. The photo of Lady Taylor makes it look worse. It is set far too far back on her head & worn with the wrong outfit. In my opinion the design is not wrong, the stylist is – all too fussy & the hair centre parting makes it look even worse.
Just plain silly and would be ashamed to wear this in public……….
The hat looks better in the drawing than on Lady Helen and my only explanation is that her entire outfit is wrong. There’s just too much going on. If you are going to wear a “statement hat,” than you should skip the pearl chocker, the open collar, the white camisole, the big fabric buttons and the lapel flower. It’s just too much look.
Works in theory but not in practice.
Hmm. Well….maybe her’s got smooshed in transit, or something? Still , you are right, it didn’t need that second cascade. Still , even then, would not make my favorites list. 🙂
You know I think you are right. This hat would not have been bad at all if the smaller embellishment had been left off. I took a piece of paper and blocked the smaller cascade from my view and actually rather liked the hat. That being said I cannot stand the hat as it is now. 🙂