‘Tis officially wedding season, meaning occasionwear is being called upon across the country.
Wedding guest dress codes never fails to pose a sartorial predicament. One can’t wear white, can’t sport too-bold a hue to detract from the bride and must retain a certain level of modesty at all times. Getting creative in the name of love is surprisingly vexing.
However, when it comes to headwear, the rules relax. A statement hairband, barrette, bow or clip is an instant way to elevate your wedding guest wardrobe. The simplest of outfits can be effortlessly punctuated by a statement hair accessory, which can range in size, shape and colour. As Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie demonstrated at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nuptials in 2011, headwear can be a hot topic of conversation.
British etiquette and wedding guest head wear go back a long way, and it hasn’t always been the smoothest of relationships. Tradition hats and fascinators once ruled the roost, but were undermined by the threat of ‘hat hair’ and outdated aesthetics. Many wedding guest hair accessories featured bulky florals or avant garde structures that could never quite reach the realm of chic.
Due to its association with royal culture, wedding-ready head gear is generally considered an antiquated form of self-styling. But this could not be further from the truth. Milliners such as Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy broke down the barriers of conventional headwear back in the Nineties, refashioning the concept altogether. The category no longer solely encompassed hats, but whimsical structures and decorative accessories too. Headwear became cool again.
Cast your mind back to Alexander McQueen’s spring/summer 2008 collection. The late designer made waves by sending a model down the runway sporting a fantastical butterfly headdress of hand-painted turkey feathers by Treacy. The two creatives forged a relationship that would last the years, and solidified statement headwear in the high fashion sphere.
Nowadays, the market is bursting with covetable, not to mention wearable, designs fit for all hair types and budgets. High street brands such as Oliver Bonas, Anthropologie and Free People have followed in the footsteps of luxury names in toying with hair accessory silhouettes. The high society, net-clad fascinator has been superseded by cute, beaded styles, funky resin florals, pearlescent satins, glimmering crystals and more from all ends of the brand spectrum.
So, if you’re willing to give hair accessories a whirl for your next wedding attendance, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up the best hair accessories for wedding guests wanting to stand out while remaining respectful and refined rolled into one.
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Simone Rocha Beaded Hairband
Simone Rocha is known for her fairytale designs, and this beautiful hairband encompasses her house’s style. Delicate floral beading offers an ethereal yet subtle headwear choice to suit your wedding guest attire.
Buy now £162.00, Matches
& Other Stories Braided Alice Headband
An elegant hairband is the perfect alternative to a fanciful head piece for those with understated taste. This powder blue option keeps things modest yet modish with an sophisticated, knotted design.
Buy now £17.00, & Other Stories
Miu Miu Crystal Embellished Barrette
Swap conventional florals for beautiful bows with this barrette sourced from Miu Miu’s pre-spring 20 collection. Ideal for bearing your girlish flair.
Buy now £200.00, MyTheresa
Rixo Jasper Scrunchie
Big scrunchies are here to stay, and Rixo’s lavish floral Jasper adds a vintage twist to your everyday hairband archive.
Buy now £24.00, Rixo
Paco Rabanne Sparkle Metal Hood
Fashion would never progress without the brave, and Paco Rabanne’s statement heart-adorned metal hood is designed with the adventurous in mind.
Buy now £366.00, MyTheresa
Swarovski Hair Clip
If thinking pink is not on your agenda (after all, the hue is in overdrive courtesy of Barbiecore) then Swarovski’s youthquake clip featuring yellow-cut crystals is a more subtle way to pack a punch.
Buy now £117.00, Swarovski
Prada Re-Nylon Hairband
Prada’s Re-Nylon hairband became an instant celebrity-favourite following its debut on Miuccia’s runway. The luxury piece comes in multiple colourways and subtly showcases the brand’s triangular insignia.
Buy now £390.00, Prada
Free People Yoko Bow
If you’re ever stuck for hair accessory inspo, simply head to Free People. The brand has a mulitude of delicate, boho items which ensure a bad hair day is kept at bay.
Buy now £20.00, Free People
Vivienne Westwood Annalisa Hairclip
Jazz up an unfussy dress or suit with Vivienne Westwood’s timeless logo hair clip. A glittering yet punkish option for those tempted by some shimmer, shine and sparkle.
Buy now £125.00, Selfridges
H&M Beaded Headpiece
Throw it back to the Roaring Twenties with H&M’s pale pink beaded bonnet. This flapper style design exudes Gatsby glamour, while serving up a unique accessory alternative.
Buy now £19.99, H&M
Tort Lora Clip
Upgrade your updo with a striking, pigment-pop clip. Tort’s It-girl piece comes in striking candy colours and pearlized resin.
Buy now £26.00, Tort
Accessorize Raffia Whipstitch Headband
Prefer to keep things au naturel? Hold your tresses perfectly in place with his rustic raffia hairband that serves as an introvert-friendly buy.
Buy now £18.00, Accessorize
Free People Fern Crochet Bow
As we couldn’t choose our favourite Free People bow creation, we’ve thrown the sheer-crochet Fern bow into the mix. Available in eight different hues to suit all wedding guest garb.
Buy now £78.00, Free People
Gucci Heart Interlocking G Hair Clip
High school meets high fashion with Gucci’s rhinestone-embellished heart hair clip featuring a baby pink hue and the house’s interlocking ‘G’ motif.
Buy now £310.00, MyTheresa
Curried Myrrh Ky Braid Adornment
Showcasing a boho dangling style, glass and resin beads, metal charms, and loop hardware, Curried Myrrh’s adornments are best for beautiful braids. The artisan accessories have a peek-a-boo effect and can be nestled within your locks or positioned front and centre for all to see.
Buy now £68.00, Free People
Anthropologie Hammered Hair Cuff
Keep it classy with an opulent hair cuff that champions the finer things, and hair, in life. Designed to reimagine the divisive low ponytail, this Cleopatra-approved cuff is one for minimalists and maximalists alike.
Buy now £14.00, Anthropologie
M&S Sage Ruched Alice Band
Weddings can barely function without the appearance of sage in one form or another. The staple bridesmaid dress shade is an earthy yet ethereal colour to embrace if you favour neutrals.
Buy now £14.00, M&S
Oliver Bonas Saskia Heart and Flower Hair Clips Pack of Two
Clips have become a cool-girl staple. No longer do the coif-charms belong to the under tens, but also Gen Z fashionistas. Blending quirky beading and pearl adornment, these clips marry old and new in one darling design.
Buy now £17.00, Oliver Bonas
