Chapeaux en France – Traditions

In France
There’s Saint Catherine’s Day, of course, though this tradition has declined in certain regions, as has that of wearing a light veil or a hat as a sign of respect in places of worship. The latter has almost completely disappeared, except in certain predominantly Catholic countries or regions (like the south of Italy, Corsica, and Eastern European countries) where many elderly women keep it alive.

In the United Kingdom
Due to the omnipresence of the monarchy and its pomp, the hat tradition is more rooted in England, where the start of the horse-racing season, receptions open to the public in Buckingham Castle’s gardens, and society weddings absolutely require the wearing of a hat. However, avoid displaying too much extravagence, or your hat could attract more attention that you might hope!

Hats and weddings
Often associated with weddings, the hat remains a very useful accessory to liven up an outfit deemed a bit drab or too simple. The bride will obviously opt for a veil, a crown of orange blossoms, or a tiara, though the increasing number of weddings at city hall now encourages the bride to wear a hat. So a pillbox hat dressed with flowers or a lightweight wide-brimmed hat can accompany any outfit.

And don’t forget: if you’re just a guest, avoid a white outfit with matching hat; it would be a shame to steal the limelight from the woman for whom this day should be unique and unforgettable.