How to wear an evening cocktail hat - advice from milliner Abigail Aldridge

What Hat to Wear to an Evening Event

Remember my fascinator hat from the Junior League Tea Party? That was an Abigail Aldridge creation! I asked New York City milliner Abigail Aldridge to share some of her top tips on wearing a hat or headpiece to an evening event, and she was kind enough to share the following recommendations:

What hat to wear to dinner at a restaurant? 

Small brim hat with decorative trim, velvet beret or cocktail hat with short veil.

 Abigail Aldridge beret hat

Abigail Aldridge cloche hat

 Abigail Aldridge hat

What hat to wear to a Birthday party? 

Fascinator or conversation piece.

What hat to wear to a Great Gatsby 1920's party? 

Cloche with bright color and/or sparkling trim, beaded headband around the forehead or feather piece.

What hat to wear to the Opera, Ballet, Theatre or Musical Concert?

Anything fancy without veils or high feathers so as not to obstruct the sightlines of yourself or others.

 Photos from my trip to Opera Saratoga

Abigail told me that traditionally, hats have not been worn for black tie affairs (only hair ornaments), but as fashion has become more individualistic this is changing. I agree with her that some level of appropriateness is fine as a sign of consideration of others.

My favorite tip from Abigail:

Remember, you will have more fun if you dress up and wear an elegant hat!

Know a lady who loves to wear hats? 

Please share this blog with her - it will make her day! 

Want to feel inspired to wear hats?

 

What to wear to a dinner / dancing date - Tiane Novati headpiece

 I wore one of my Tiane Novati headpieces to listen to Mundo Nuevo perform at Carmen's Cafe in Troy. 

 Tiane Novati headpiece, Ann Taylor dress, pearl necklace

  Carmen's Cafe is a place for expats and lovers of music to gather and listen to local musicians. This was a warm, rainy night in late October, but the rain stopped long enough to let a few of the couples dance outside under the stars and streetlamps.

I found this headpiece, which is mounted on a thin wire headband, at Anchor No. 5 Boutique in Troy. I look forward to wearing my Tiane Novati headpiece again in the Spring with a lace dress.

Shared with modernmodestbeauty.com
and notdeadyetstyle.com

Know a lady who loves to wear hats? 

Please share this blog with her! 

Want to feel inspired to wear hats?

 

Walking a mile in their shoes - Capital City Rescue Mission Annual Banquet

I attended the Capital City Rescue Mission Banquet at Michael's Banquet House in Latham, NY. Proceeds from the event went to fund the Mission's Supportive Housing Project to equip each of the 44 apartments in the Supportive Housing building with a kitchenette and a bathroom.

 Marie Galvin headpiece

 Modcloth 'Black Tie Optimal' dress, Marie Galvin fascinator

Michael's Banquet House has a lot of full length mirrors, so I got to get a good look at my fascinator in action. When I walk, the top layer of feathers catches the breeze and they flutter very playfully.

You even get a peek at my Marc Fisher Joey Peep Toe pumps! These are my go-to special event shoes. I wore them to the opera and to my wedding earlier this year.

 It is a privilege to have the resources to dress up, looking and feeling beautiful at an event that supports the work of those who minister to the less fortunate. 

We heard very personal stories of lives of violence, tragedy and loss from three people that turned around their lives with the help of the Rescue Mission. I am thankful that I have not had to walk in their shoes and grateful that I am able to help them by supporting the Capital City Rescue Mission. 

A quick peek at what the Mission does in our community: 

http://youtu.be/wE4DZWWlOEg

Experience a more in-depth look at the work of the Capital City Rescue Mission here: http://youtu.be/EAH_P7JYYV8

Know a lady who loves to wear hats?

Please share this blog with her - it will make her day! 

Want to feel inspired to wear hats?

 

What to wear to 20 year high school reunion

 What to Wear to Your 20 Year High School Reunion

I wore a simple feather fascinator 
from Hats on Post in San Francisco, CA 

to my twenty year high school reunion.

Fascinator from Hats on Post, BCBG dress, Ross-Simons ruby necklace

Hats on Post is a lovely little shop run by Peg Purcell and is located at 210 Post Street in San Francisco. It is in the Shreve Building across from the Prada store. 

I recommend stopping by if you are shopping in Union Square - just call 415-392-3737 at least an hour before you plan to be in the area.

Know a lady who loves to wear hats? 

Please share this blog with her! 

Want to feel inspired to wear hats?

 

What hat to wear to a gallery opening - Fancy Schmancy fascinator hat

I wore my fascinator hat from Fancy Schmancy in Albany, NY to visit Carmen's Cafe in Troy for the Artist's Reception for sculptress Fredda Merzon.

Kathleen Lisson and Fredda Merzon

(BCBG dress, Fancy Schmancy fascinator)

 Fredda told me that her father worked as a hat blocker when she was young and shared stories of the millinery district in Manhattan. I may have inspired her to consider making future sculptures more hat-like.

Linking to NotDeadYetStyle.com
and ModernModestBeauty

Know a lady who loves to wear hats? 

Please share this blog with her! 

Want to feel inspired to wear hats?

 

Saratoga Opera Salute Italia - What hat to wear to the opera

What hat to wear to enjoy the Opera

My friend Bernadette and I attended 

Opera Saratoga's Salute Italia program in Troy.

We had a delicious Italian dinner 

and heard opera selections from 

I Pagliacci, Cavalleria Rusticana, 

Adriana Lecouvreur, La Traviata, 

Turandot, Tosca and La Boheme. 

We sat at a table with 

Opera Saratoga General Director Curtis Tucker.

 Celine Robert hat, Evan Picone dress

Our opera singers were the talented

Neil Darling and Christina Hager. 

I got the opportunity to speak to them 

for a while after the performance.

Christina shared with me that singing opera 

is a delicate balance between 

being moved by the music 

but not so emotional that it affects 

her vocal performance. 

Neil said that connecting with fans 

that really love opera makes his job even better! 

I wore my Celine Robert hat 

and Bernadette wore a hat she bought from 

Joyce Locks at the Saratoga Racecourse last summer. 
Bernadette walked into Joyce's hat display 
telling me she couldn't wear hats 
and walked out looking fabulous in this headpiece!

Experiencing opera is one of the 

most emotionally uplifting experiences in my life. 

It is a privilege to be able to attend 

a live opera performance, 

and I am grateful to Saratoga Opera 

that I have the ability to enjoy opera 

in my own community. 

Listen to Christina and Neil here:

http://youtu.be/TVlrv580JMI

Linking to notdeadyetstyle.com

Know a lady who loves to wear hats? 

Please share this blog with her!

Want to feel inspired to wear hats?

 

How to Wear a Cocktail Hat - Cocktail hat hairstyle

Best Cocktail and Fascinator Hat Hairstyle 

Here is my foolproof quick hairdo 

for a cocktail hat or fascinator with an elastic.

Pull the elastic over your hair 

to just above the nape of your neck. 

Working with a small handful of hair at a time

starting at your temples,
pull your hair back over the elastic, 
then tuck your hair underneath the elastic. 

Your hair will end up looking like this:

 

The tricky part for me 
is using small enough sections 
on the sides of my head 
to cover the elastic 
completely with hair. 

It just takes patience.

Best Hat for Color-Treated Hair

A cocktail hat like this one 

is perfect for a fancy evening event 

where you want to make an impression 

but haven't been to the salon 

for a color touch-up. 

The hat combined with this updo 

are perfect for hiding roots.

Want to feel inspired 
to wear hats this summer?

 

Best cocktail hat to wear to the opera

What hat to wear to the opera

I recently went to see Rigoletto 

on opening night
at Opera Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Ellen Christine hat, BCBG dress

I met my new friend Heather from Opera Saratoga

before the performance began.

She spreads the word about the Opera on Twitter 

and recognized me from my tweets!

I felt very stylish and beautiful 

in my Ellen Christine hat. 

Having a handsome escort in a tuxedo 

made me feel even better! 

The opera is a passionate experience. 

The human voice is so beautiful. 

My favorite parts were 

when several characters were singing at once. 

I felt carried away by the opportunity 

to experience the characters' different emotions

 together at the same time. 

At times I felt almost overwhelmed by emotion. 

I cried a little at the end and felt so happy 

to be able to show the singers my appreciation 

with applause. 

The opera truly captured my heart. 

I will be back for more! 

Here is a video 

of one of the most recognizable songs from Rigoletto,

sung by Luciano Pavarotti:

I told Arun he should start humming this song 

the next time I try to butter him up to get my way...

Have you been to the opera?

Linking to NotDeadYetStyle.com

Want to feel inspired 

to wear hats this summer?