I agree and I think that what made it a fairy tale wedding is that Prince Williams really loves kate as apose to his father who married prince di only to have an heir.

To us in the USA the hats were different, but it is the custom in the UK. The ladies wear hats all the time. Please lets not criticize our British friends. Maybe the hats at the wedding will start a trend here in the US. But the question of how they kept them on their head is legitimate. Inquiring minds would love to know the answer to that one.

hat pins. My grandmama used to ware hats to church. I even have a few pics of me and my sister with matching outfits with hats. would have been early 60's. before WW11 women wore hats lots of times. We have a horse race or 2 here in SC and the women bring out their hats for the occasion.

i agree and the more tastless dresses too. they had party clothes on. not the stuff you would wear to a wedding. they should have known better.

jane

:lol: I almost spit coffee when I read this. I can just see it! I lived in Arkansas awhile.

We were required to wear hats at our friends wedding in England. I think its fun. I remember having to wear hats for communion in Illinois.

What were they thinking? "What hat can I wear that will get me on TV?"

Sigh. I love hats. I frequently wear hats, some of them probably more outlandish than the usual fare in the US.

But I don't care. LOVE 'em.

Almost all of my hats can be worn without pins but for one or two, a comb or pin can be a big help on a windy day.

I don't recall seeing anything like this - ?

Super glue.LOL

The designers were on the day before and that is exactly how they stay on, with a headband. If you are talking about Beatrice and Eugenie, who knows what they were thinking but they were not attractive.

I liked the hats on the ladies and yes it's sign of respect. Jackie Kennedy always wore a hat. I wish we would start dressing better here in the USA there was a time you didn't travel without looking your best now you see people looking very grabbing. Some of them look like they jumped out of bed just in time to get on the airplane.

Hats are a fashion statement as well as a cover for the head. Hats ARE big business in the UK. I would not like to guess how much some of those hats cost. But, I would like to see hats come back into fashion here. I like watching "My Fair Lady" for the hats.

I love wearing hats. They are not the 'fancy' hats like you saw at the wedding but just every day hats you purchase from WW and stores. It is amazing how different men treat you when you smile and have a nice hat on, no matter what kind of hat. Doors are held open for you if a 'gentleman' is going in to the store at the same time, you are smiled at more by everyone. Love wearing hats.

The hats were different to say the least. Some were really pretty. But I thought some were very inconsiderate, people could not see around them.

The traditional way is the use of hat pins. You pin the hat directly into your updo. (Your updo is pinned with actual hair pins, not bobby pins.) It helps to use several pins per hat. Once you do it right, that sucker isn't comin' off your head for nothing. The hat (for ladies) that is part of a total ensemble is meant to be worn the entire time. Gents wear their hats outside and sometimes inside, at certain prescribed events/times... then doff them. Guys don't use hat pins.

There is a GREAT 2nd hand store in my area, that specializes in high end fashions and accessories. They also have a true milliner on staff. She takes furs, old hats and refreshions them, or creates totally new creations. Some look like glamour 40's and 50's, some like Jackie O, some like what you saw at the wedding. All very pricy too... Love em., but don't wear them much... since I'm a shorts and T-shirt kinda girl...

I'm with you, Community Benefactor.
I think there is no respect anymore with these boys & men
who do not remove their hats inside resturants especially.
My HB gets so upset when he sees that! As for the Royal
Wedding, I think the respect they showed by wearing hats was something we could practice. It's been a lost art here.
Although, I will say some were a little far out. But remember we are not use to seeing that here!

probably this

Hats are in fashion STILL in England. I love them and wish everyone still wore them here - especially to church. Some are really beautiful and some (yes, some) look like a freshly shot turkey or something.
Dodee

More - I think companies who started that "dress down Friday" did a lot of damage to society.
Dodee

I agree.

I have a friend who had a Royal Wedding pj party for women only and they attired themselves with their new silk jammies and hats and they had a hoot - just to show it can be made fun. Hats are the in thing over there; can you ever remember seeing Queen Elizabeth without a hat on? Never! It is part of their attire when in public.

Seems to me in the US these days in some churches you're more likely to spot a Hooter's t-shirt than a hat.

My maternal grandparents were milliners in the first half of the 20th century, starting in an era when no self-respecting person of any age would go outdoors bare-headed. When I was growing up in Kansas women and girls still generally wore hats and gloves to church and some wore them for shopping, in restaurants and to club meetings and such - any time the other ladies might see you and think less of you if you didn't try to look prim and stylish. It was understood that as an expression of individuality a well chosen hat is hard to beat.

Is this just me? When I watch old movies I have the impression that hats on both men and women made them look older than they were.

The fasinators were interesting but I thought the ladies who wore the huge hats no one could see around were the worst in being considerate of others. All in all I think it was a nice affair and the bridel couple looked perfect. Take care.
Linda

I don't understand how that can possibly be true.

I agree, they were awful..Also was pleased with Camilla's hat, covered her face too much. I love hats but lets get real for the occasion. I don't think it mattered to the bride and groom, those wearing the funcky hats it just there way of being noticed since they aren't otherwise.

You may want to read the rest of this thread before you say such things about people and a culture you don't know.

To secure a fascinator or other hat, start with a tight pincurl. Look inside the hat...most of them have loops or a comb inside. Simply slide the comb firmly under the pincurl, add a couple of discreet bobby pins and your done!
With hat pins, you start with the same pincurl, but pin throught the hat, the pincurl and back out with the hat pin! Voila!!!
NOW you are Styling!!!

hats are very British ... my mother came to the US in her teens and ALWAYS wore a hat saying they are a sign of respect ... as children, we did too ... wish Americans would dress a bit nicer for church, weddings and funerals ... where do they think they are going ... am always shocked to see jeans and sandals ... of course you would never see me in heels the height Victoria Beckham wears ... but she is pregnant and has raging hormones!!! ;-)

me too!!!

Making hats was a hobby of my Mother's. Once she claimed she missed the end of the Kentucky Derby because she was trying to memorize a hat she saw...LOL

Ditto. I don't think they get a lot of constructive guidance from their mother (not intended to dis Fergie), but you'd think someone could have helped them out. However, the young have minds of their own, I am afraid.

Yes! I am all for less casual attire, especially in the workplace.

Think after seeing some of them I'm glad its a lost art here.Fregie's daughter looked like the wicked step sisters in Cinderrella

And white gloves ?

They really looked kind of frumpy, didn't they?

We always had a new hat at Easter when I was growing up.
That's been awhile..like 65 or 70 years ago. After I married seems hardly anyone wore them. However, about 20 years or so ago, at the request of my husband (he really
likes to see women wear hats) I did buy about a dozen. Then
after a few short years, I began to fee conspicous when I
wore a hat, because everyone else at church dressed really,
really casual. We go to a Baptist church and the ladies
there all dress quite nicely, so I do wear them again from
time to time. Not so much in the summer as they are a bit
warm. I am not alone, others wear them also from time to
time. It is disturbing to me that at weddings, funerals
and special occasions, that people don't just dress casual
it seems some dress "just plain sloppy". If it is all they
have I could accept that, but I know they could do better.

I could see the head bands on some of them.

When I was young we'd wear hats and gloves to church.