Tag Archives: Autumn Phillips

Favourite New Royal Hat of 2019

Posted on by

2019 saw some truly wonderful hats introduced into royal fashion- hats that awed, inspired and took our breath away. Throughout the year, dearest readers, you have narrowed down your favourite new hats and to a finalist list of nine standout and very beautiful designs. Here are your Favourite New Royal Hats of 2019:

Embed from Getty Images
Queen Máxima’s tawny pink straw saucer covered in pearl-centered feather flowers by Berry Rutjes worn for her Royal Ascot debut on June 18

Embed from Getty Images
Autumn Phillips’ sage green felt beret percher with flying bow and cut feather leaves by Sally Ann Provan, styled by Annie Miall, worn on September 9 to the Braemar Games

Embed from Getty Images
Autumn Phillips’ lattice straw saucer with large silk roses and feathers by Sally Ann Provan.styled by Annie Miall, worn to Ascot on June 22

Embed from Getty Images
The Duchess of Cornwall’s black rounded brimless hat wrapped in feathers by Philip Treacy worn on November 10 for Remembrance Sunday

Zara Tindall’s plum felt teardrop percher with quill and mass of cut burgundy and violet feathers by Juliette Botterill worn to the Cheltenham Festival on March 13
Sincere congratulations to British milliner Juliette Botterill, who claims ‘top spot’ for the first time with this beautiful hat, and to stylist Annie Miall who put this (and Autumn Phillip’s two looks) together. It is the first percher design to be chosen as your favourite new hat of the year, which is fun to see. Congratulations also to Sally Ann Provan, Berry Rutjes and Philip Treacy- you all are bringing colour and beauty into our world through your designs. We need this and we sincerely thank you for it.  
Jump over to this post to see the results in greater detail. So, dearest readers- what do you think of this parade of top royal hats?!
Photos from Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images; and Getty as indicated

Cheltenham Festival 2020 Day 4

Posted on by

The Cheltenham Festival wrapped on Friday with a day of racing that saw numerous members of the British royal family in attendance. Princess Anne led her family in her pale green brushed felt trilby.

Embed from Getty Images

We see Anne in so many dark hued hats during the winter, this paler one stands out as a lovely change. The stacked crown shape is an interesting design detail and the colour, which is lovely on Anne, works so well with her green printed coat, lightening and brightening the overall ensemble.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: Dec 25, 2016; Nov 10, 2014;  March 16, 2012

Peter Phillips repeated a well worn chocolate felt fedora with slim ribbon hatband.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: Mar 15, 2019; Mar 16, 2018; Mar 17, 2016; Nov 13, 2015 

Autumn Phillips topped her dark green coat with a wide-brimmed fedora in pale pink felt. The hat is simply but effectively trimmed in a dark green hatband under a slim band of black braid.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

The scale is lovely on Autumn and the shape, while a classic, feels as far away from stuffy or mumsy as one can get. The colour here is what stands out for me- not only is a great hue on Autumn, it’s not a shade we often see on a fedora which, soft and lovely as it is, makes it feel so modern and fresh. The darker hatbands are a wonderful contrast that link beautifully with Autumn’s outfit, the hat standing out amidst the dark green. And who doesn’t love a royal hat that becomes the shining focus of an ensemble?!

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Camilla Rose Dawn Fedora in pink and green. Coat and blouse by Really Wild. Styled by Annie Miall. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new.

Zara Tindall topped her plum coat with a matching felt percher hat trimmed with a large gold metallic textured flower.

Embed from Getty Images

Again, there’s much to love here. The colour is lovely on Zara and the shape of the beret base, with a slightly elevated back to support that amazing gold flower, works so well against the funnel neck of the coat, drawing the eye upward and giving subtle lift to the look. Zara has not put a foot wrong in the style stakes this week and both she and her stylist get some applause from me.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Sarah Cant. It is a bespoke version of from . Claire Mischevani coat. Styled by Annie Miall. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new.

What do you think of these final four hats at this year’s Cheltenham Festival?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

Cheltenham Festival 2020 Day 1

Posted on by

This year’s Cheltenham Festival kicked off yesterday with “Champions Day” attended by three royal guests. Princess Anne led her family in a cozy orange wool coat topped with a chocolate fur hat in a rounded, calot shape.

Embed from Getty Images

I appreciate how Anne’s scarves tie the orange coat and chocolate hat together. The shape of this hat is interesting- all of Anne’s other fur and faux fur hats follow square pillbox or cloche shape while this one follows a close-fitting, almost calot silhouette. It’s fine, but not very exciting.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: January 28, 2018

Autumn Phillips  wore a black felt teardrop based cocktail hat trimmed with a trio of olive silk camellia blooms, and a mix of open wire and darker olive textured silk leaves.

Embed from Getty Images

It’s a great hat for Autumn, who wears percher pieces so well. The hat’s olive trim pairs well with her jacket, the different materials giving textural dimension to the overall look and the colour linking solidly together against the other black pieces. The hat’s trim makes it sing, and the combination of dark hat, green trim and Autumn’s colouring is a winning one. After the recent announcement about the Phillips’ divorce, I didn’t expect to see Autumn at this event but it’s great to see her- she has played an increasingly strong millinery game over the past few years and I’ll miss watching for her hat at British royal family attended events such as these.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Sally Ann Provan. It is a custom version of the Yoru Felt Pillbox. Coat by Really Wild, blouse by Temperley London, trousers by Jaeger. Styled by Annie Miall. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Zara Tindall wore a dark blue headpiece described by the designer as a “silk covered headband, adorned with cut feathers and a silk bow.”

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Zara’s colouring makes blue a great colour on her and this deep shade contrasts beautifully with her light hair. This bandeau shape is successfully augmented with the spray of cut feathers which gives wonderful dimension, height and movement to the design. The ensemble is also so well styled, the dotted print on the dress giving some pattern and interest a small but high impact way.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Juliette Botterill. It is the “Silk Feather Bow Band” from AW 2019. Coat by Guinea London, dress by Rebecca Taylor. Styled by Annie Miall.
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

That wraps up day one- what do you think of this trio of hats?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

Autumn Phillips’ Christmas Hats

Posted on by

A royal hat wearer who as emerged as one to watch over recent years is Autumn Phillips. Today, we’re taking a look back at the hats she has worn on Christmas Day:

Embed from Getty Images  Embed from Getty Images
Fuzzy white beret in 2008; Black trilby with bow tied hatband in 2009

Embed from Getty Images  Embed from Getty Images
Grey wool crowned hat with high, faux fur cuffed brim in 2011;
Burgundy button percher with feather flowers by Nerida Fraiman in 2012

Embed from Getty Images
Tall navy brimless hat with pork pie crown in 2013

 Embed from Getty Images
Chocolate Juliette Botterill beret percher with bow in 2014; Navy felt saucer with looped bow by Rachel Black in 2016

    Embed from Getty Images
Red pleated velvet button percher by Emily London in 2017;
Emerald green felt curved beret percher with bow by Sally Ann Provan in 2018

It’s a millinery look that has become more polished over time I suspect, thanks to a stylist’s guiding hand. Autumn suits smaller scale percher pieces so well, the dark hues here contrasting beautifully against her fair complexion and blonde hair. What do you think of this millinery retrospective?

Photos from Getty as indicated; Chris Jackson via Getty; Ward/WENN.com

British Royals Attend Braemar Games

Posted on by

On Saturday, Queen Elizabeth was joined by the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay and Peter and Autumn Philips for what looked like a very enjoyable day at the Braemar Games.

Embed from Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth repeated her royal purple felt hat with square crown, downward facing brim with upfolded kettle edge and dark purple velvet hatband trimmed with stitched purple velvet leaves and silk flowers.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

This outing gives us a good look at this hat’s trim, which was updated for it’s last outing. This change elevates the hat- I adore those stitched velvet leaves)-  and the trim works much better than the white irises that originally adorned it. Fascinatingly, this trim change has made the design look much more in proportion, an optical illusion that works so well here (the hatmaker herself confirmed there were no changes to the hat’s crown height, as we suspected during its last outing) and ties beautifully with the velvet trim on this ensemble’s coat.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Angela Kelly made by Stella McLaren
Previously Worn: Mar 11, 2019;  Jan 13, 2019; Oct 23, 2018; Mar 6, 2018; Dec 7, 2017; Nov 24, 2016

The Duchess of Rothesay repeated her formed beret in deep cranberry red felt, trimmed with a pair of pheasant feathers.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

This is the first good look we’ve had at this hat in years which is great, because it’s really wonderful on Camilla. She has just two red hats in her wardrobe, such a shame as she wears the colour so well.

Embed from Getty Images

An interesting side note on this hat- worn well past the 10 wears that we’ve discussed recently (thanks to a quote from the late milliner Philip Somerville guessing this as the average number of times most royal hats are worn), the original feathers that appeared on this hat were replaced in 2017 for the larger ones we see on it today. While the change may have been an aesthetic one, it certainly has added to this hat’s longevity!

Embed from Getty Images
At the Palace of Holyroodhouse on May 9, 2012

Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: August 25, 2019; Sep 30, 2018; Sep 23, 2018; Sep 16, 2018; Sep 24, 2017; Aug 20, 2017; April 16, 2017; Sep 11, 2016; Sep 26, 2015; Sep 5, 2012; Sep 1, 2012; May 9, 2012; Sep 18, 2011; Apr 9, 2006; Apr 10, 2005

Autumn Phillips wore a percher hat with sculpted base in sage green described by the milliner as “hand-blocked peachbloom felt pillbox hat trimmed with an abstract bow, and finished with 2 degrade dyed feathers and a large crystal pearl in subtle tones of the same colour.”

Embed from Getty Images

The scale and movement of this piece is wonderful on her and makes such a great pairing for her slightly lighter green plaid wool coat. I particularly admire the shape and height of the bow and the colour of the feathers. Some might be tempted to pair this coat with burgundy hat to match its velvet trim but I adore that Autumn (or her stylist, Annie Miall) went the less expected route with this design in green. It’s so much more interesting and brings out her green eyes so well.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Sally-Ann Provan’s Artani design  It is the Guinea London Knightsbridge coat. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Yesterday, Queen Elizabeth attended Suinday service at Crathie Kirk in a repeated cloche variation covered in pale silk crepe. The hat’s contrasting black lower hatband, which shows up as a sharply punctuating pinstripe, and black leaves, nestled behind those exquisite handmade flowers, are an unexpected touch on this hat but one that makes it work so well.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: Aug 6, 2019; Aug 12, 2018

The Duchess of Rothesay also attended church, repeating her red beret’s taupe twin, also trimmed with pheasant feathers.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: Aug 11, 2019; Aug 19, 2018; Oct 8, 2017; Sep 10, 2017; Aug 13, 2017; Sep 18, 2016

That’s five hats in Scotland over the weekend. Which ones stood out most to you?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

Catching Up With The British Royals

Posted on by

With nine British royal hats appearing at semi-public events this week, I thought we’d take a dedicated look at these designs to kick off this holiday weekend (our regular weekend “Extra’s” post will follow tomorrow). Last Sunday, Queen Elizabeth was spotted en route to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk in Scotland in a new hat. UPDATE- thanks to you super sleuths, we know know this hat is a repeat and more than a decade old!

Embed from Getty Images

In bright pink straw, the design’s sidesweeping brim is edged in a wide binding stripe in robin’s egg blue, which is repeated on the straw twist and burnt feathers of its trim. While the colour makes a fun statement (especially with such an unexpected colour pairing!), I’m not keen on the hat’s flared crown, which gives it a slightly cartoonish vibe from front view.

Embed from Getty Images
Designer: unknown. Based on dates, I strongly suspect Philip Somerville
Previously Worn: November 24, 2007
The Duchess of Cornwall repeated her red felt Philip Treacy beret with pheasant feather trim. Camilla has worn this hat exclusively in Scotland (mainly for private events such as this) which is a shame, as the pop of colour is great on her!
Embed from Getty Images
The Duchess of Cambridge repeated a navy saucer shaped percher hat with large center knot felt flower on the back.
Embed from Getty Images
Designer: Lock and Co. 
Previously Worn: Aug 26, 2018; Feb 7, 2016; March 26, 2015 (private event)
The Countess of Wessex repeated a camel felt fedora with overlapping pheasant feather hatband. Sophie wears fedora and trilby shapes well and the hatband on this casual design is such a great touch.
Embed from Getty Images
Designer:  Suffolk Fedora in Camel from Hicks & Brown
Previously Worn: Dec 23, 2018; May 14, 2018
Princess Anne wore a hat that, I think, is a new design, likely from Amy Morris-Adams. In warm camel felt, this trilby features an extended brim that raises, in classic trilby fashion around the back, and is trimmed simply with what looks like a two-tone hatband in gold and chocolate, tied in a side bow. It’s a similar design to the turquoise and purple hats she added to her millinery wardrobe over the past year, although not as interesting a colour.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this is new

Autumn Phillips rounded last Sunday’s royal attendees at church in a dark caramel felt button percher trimmed with a chocolate organza ruffle around a silk bloom and two striped pheasant feathers. As far as brown hats go, it’s a good one

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Unknown. It looks like Juliette Botterill to me
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Today, the York Princesses and their mum attended Ellie Goulding’s wedding in Yorkshire. Princess Beatrice topped an irredescent emerald frock with a new black bandeau headpiece in leather, trimmed with handmade flowers and textured leaves. Black leather could be a tricky material to pull off for a royal headpiece but this one’s floral trim beautifully balances its edgy material, creating a smoothly elegant piece in a shape that looks great on Bea.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Athena by Justine Bradley-Hill. by Dress by The Vampire’s Wife 
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

Princess Eugenie repeated her navy straw pillbox with braided perimeter. It remains a great design for her, paired again with a floral frock (I think the open neckline of this dress makes for a better pairing).

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Juliette Botterill (bespoke version of the “Pleated Pillbox” from SS 2018). Dress by Peter Pilotto
Previously Worn: Apr 18, 2019

The Duchess of York topped a lace coat with a straw bumper hat with outside edge wrapped on two layers of Lady Amherst feathers. The hat’s shape, which looks like a bandeau from front view,  suits Sarah well and the classic black and white scheme is a tad more wearable than this similar design!

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Jess Collett
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Thoughts about these British royal hats?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

Royal Ascot Day 5: The Phillipses

Posted on by

Royal Hats

I’m delighted to be joined today by Spanish milliner Rafa Peinador, creator of his namesake London-based millinery brand, to chat about all of the royal hats (and some others!) we see today on the final day Royal Ascot.

Autumn Philips chose blue for her last Ascot outing this year in a jumpsuit and hat described by the milliner as  a “hand-made straw medium sized saucer hat, trimmed with two silk satin roses with feather accents.”

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Royal Hats: My goodness- it’s our favourite royal hat from Ascot last year (which ultimately went on to be named our top new hat of 2018) but in blue!

Rafa Peinador: Autumn Phillips was wearing a nice saucer hat with silk satin flowers and feathers placed between petals. The hat perfectly matched the colour of the outfit. I would say that the chess effect on the sinamay is absolutely gorgeous and very tasteful. The incorporation of the feathers in the roses made it look different from a lot of similar hats seen in last few days. I would have incorporated a cream or ivory element to accentuate the chess pattern.

Embed from Getty Images

Royal Hats: Great idea, Rafa- some cream flowers would be a great compliment and lend quiet contrast to the all blue look. Although, I like this all-blue look- the textured hat is the perfect pairing with Autumn’s solid colour jumpsuit and works far better than a solid hued hat would. The scale and shape are great on her and the colour, well, it’s terrific. The patterned straw lends a beautiful lightness and airiness to the look. So fresh and summery

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Sally-Ann Provan. It is a bespoke version of the Greta Saucer Hat. Bespoke Claire Mischevani jumpsuit.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Peter Phillips repeated his black felt top hat.

Embed from Getty Images

What do you think of Autumn’s hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated