Monthly Archives: January 2021

Inventory: Princess Charlene’s Blue Hats

Posted on by

To celebrate Princess Charlene’s 43rd birthday yesterday, we’re diving into her millinery closet this time, for a look at her blue hats:

1. 2.
Designer: both unknown 
Introduced: April 29, 2011; November. 19, 2013

3.  4.
Designer: Stephen Jones;  Gallia e Peter
Introduced: May 10, 2015; November 19, 2017

We see Princess Charlene wear hats once or twice a year so just four blue designs over the past decade is not surprising. What’s undeniable here is Charlene’s leaning toward the streamlined when it comes to millinery. I like the restraint- hats #1 and #4 are particularly striking- although a spare feather, flower or bow could retain the streamlined aesthetic while lending a little zhuzh.

What do you notice about Princess Charlene’s blue hats?

Images from Getty as indicated; Carl De Souza/AFP; PLS Pool; Stephane Cardinale/Corbis and Pascal Le Segretain via Getty

Monday Multiples: Princess Caroline

Posted on by

To celebrate Princess Caroline’s 64th birthday last Friday, we’re looking back at two chic hats she wore in Paris on March 4, 1977, both paired with a streamlined cognac, tan and black checked coat:

Look #1: With a charcoal textured felt cloche with slim black hatband

Embed from Getty Images

Look #2: With a tan felt fedora with slightly upturned (Stetson-style) brim trimmed with a black leather hatband

Embed from Getty Images

I so admire how both hats have transcended time- 44 years on, I think each could easily step out today. Which hat, dearest readers, do you prefer most with this coat?

Images from Getty as indicated 

This Week’s Extras

Posted on by

Crown Prince Haakon in a cozy knit hat to visit the Oslo Public Transport Service on January 20, 2021
Embed from Getty Images
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Amazing texture on this percher with pork pie base and leather rose vine by Australian milliner Jill Humphries
Navy felt visored cap with twists around the back by Belgian brand Cap’a di Carina
Wonderful ombre trim on this vibrant pink straw pillbox (and this blue one) by Dutch milliner Myra van de Korput

 

Stephen Jones’ collection for Dior Winter 2021 features bowler hats hand painted by Scottish artist Peter Doig
Charming pale blue straw calot with double trailing bow by British milliner Justine Bradley-Hill
Fantastic shape and feather trim on this moody fedora by Russian milliner By Marina Koneva
Unexpected mustard and teal scheme on this felt button percher with feathers by British brand SB Millinery
Black and white hound’s tooth wool newsboy cap by German milliner Ulrike Strelow
Luscious latte leather percher with flowers and curling quills by Australian brand Ebbella Millinery
Vibrant blue felt hat with aubergine silk flowers and spectacular feathers by London-based milliner Merver Bayindir
Ivory saucer rimmed in black crin with satin and velvet flower vine by American milliner Marie Galvin
Beautiful and sustainable! Halo bandeau of handmade paper flowers by Australian milliner Wendy Scully

 

Sweet photos of Princess Athena released by the Dutch monarchy for her 9th birthday

We end this week with a beautiful shot of Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh remain in residence.
Embed from Getty Images

 

Photos from social media as indicated

Longest Quill?

Posted on by

We see quills of all lengths and colours on royal hats from the gently curved to the tightly curved. For this week’s discussion question, dearest readers, I’m wondering: which royal hat hosts the longest quill?

Embed from Getty Images

Image from Getty as indicated

Inventory: Countess of Wessex’s Light Pink Hats

Posted on by

To celebrate the Countess of Wessex’s 56th birthday today, we’re taking a look at all of her light pink hats. Here they are in the order that they have publicly been worn:

1. 2. 3.
Designer: Philip Treacy; Philip Treacy; Jane Taylor
Introduced: June 17, 2003;  June 20, 2006; July 30, 2011

4.Embed from Getty Images  5.Embed from Getty Images  6.
Designer: all three are Jane Taylor
Introduced: June 15, 2013; June 11, 2016; June 19, 2018 

Sophie’s royal life has now spanned more than two decades and to see see just six designs in light-medium pink surprised me. What I admire here is diversity- while each addition here is made of straw, they all follow completely different shapes and are trimmed with a distinct focal trim. Are such things coincidental? Maybe. I still appreciate the care taken by stylist, milliner or perhaps even Sophie herself to explore different millinery looks within this one hue. It’s this kind of approach that keeps our focus tuned to her head!

What are your thoughts on this sextet of pink hats?

Images from Tim Graham, Max Mumby/Indigo, Max Mumby/Indigoand Mark Cuthbert via Getty; Getty as indicated