Heading to Cheltenham? Milliner loved by Kate Middleton reveals how to pick the perfect hat

Racing fans are gearing up for the first big event in the calendar next week, with Cheltenham getting underway on Tuesday.

For fashion-conscious revellers, a statement hat is a key element of their race day outfit – but those who are new to millinery may not have a clue where to start.

Thankfully couture milliner Vivien Sheriff, founder of Wiltshire-based Vixen Millinery, has offered some words of wisdom for picking stylish headwear.  

And she certainly knows what she’s talking about – Vivien dressed more guests at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding than any other designer and created the fascinator worn by the Duchess of Cambridge at her first official engagement.

Vivien’s designs, which are typically very detailed with layers of feathers, quills and even handwoven crystals, remain a firm favourite among high society – with Princess Eugenie sporting one of her eye-catching designs at Trooping the Colour in 2016 – and are always on prominent display at Royal Ascot.

Here she shares her top tips with FEMAIL on how to pick the best hat to suit your look this racing season – and offers her expert opinion on popular trends to look out for.

Face shape 

‘Finding a hat that flatters both your face and silhouette is really important,’ Vivien said.

‘As a rule of thumb, if you have a square or round face, then an angular disc worn to the side of the face asymmetrically looks great. 

‘Long faces tend to look good in berets or sweeping brims. However, if your face is oval then you’re one of the lucky ones who can wear any hat style!’

Hair style 

Vivien recommends wearing long hair up with a hat, ensuring it is pulled back away from the face.

‘A simple sweeping bun or sleek pony tail look amazing,’ she said. 

‘What looks particularly sophisticated is when you have it tied into a low bun and off to one side; this really accentuates the style of the hat.

‘If you have shorter hair then check that any elastic or Alice band is properly secured with pins to avoid the hat slipping throughout the day.’

Height 

According to Vivien, taller women tend to be able to carry off wider brims.

‘If you are petite, then go for height over width for a really elegant look,’ she added.

Take your outfit shopping with you  

Vivien said: ‘We always recommend taking your outfit and accessories with you when selecting millinery. 

‘At Vixen Millinery we offer a colour-matching service so we can ensure an exact match to you outfit in your chosen colour.’

If you’ve not managed to shop for your dress yet then that’s OK – Vivien suggested planning your outfit with your millinery selection to ensure a coherent, stylish look. 

‘Find a hat in a shape, style and colour that you love and then choose a dress and accessories to work with it,’ she advised. 

‘More often than not, a plain coloured, simple dress can actually be the most effective, especially if you are wearing a fabulous headpiece.’

Make sure it’s on the right way! 

If you’re a first-time hate wearer, it can sometimes be tricky to work out which way around it goes.

To avoid any potentially embarrassing scenarios, Vivien explained: ‘Traditionally hats sit on the right-hand side of the head, so check how your hat is positioned in the first instance. 

‘Look for showcase embellishment or trim, such as feathers or quills, as these are usually at the front of the hat. 

‘We always add our swing tags at the back of the hat to help clients understand front from back when they are trying on their piece for the first time.’