A fascinator is the perfect accessory to add a touch of glamour to your outfit, especially when you are attending a wedding, the races or any other formal occasion. Whether you've got short hair or long, these decorative headpieces are a great way to enhance and complete your overall look and style. Coming in all shapes and sizes, adorned with intricate designs of flowers, feathers, bows and diamantes, there's something for everyone.
From eye-catching statement headbands with clips to simple and sophisticated head accessories, we've included all manner of designs in our ranking of the top 10 best fascinators in the UK. Whether you need something pink, green, blue, or yellow, there's a fascinator in every colour under the sun, and best of all, they're all available from John Lewis, ASOS and Amazon.
Quick List - Top Fascinators
John Lewis
Add Glamour and Glitz With This Vibrant, Floral Fascinator That Comes in Multiple Colours
John Lewis
A Classic Pill Box for That Demure Vintage Look Complete With a Bow and Veil
John Lewis
A Stylish but Versatile Comb Fascinator Featuring a Delicate, Understated Bow
Hats by Cressida
Bring the X-Factor With This Absolutely Stunning Hatinator
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Table of Contents
A fascinator with a hairband is an excellent choice if you're looking for something easy to wear. Simply place the band behind your ears and wear it with your hair either up or down. You can style your hair to hide the band or leave it as it is - it’s up to you!
If you're looking for a medium to large fascinator for outdoor events, hairbands are a great choice as they provide much more stability. You don’t want to be losing your gorgeous headpiece to that unexpected gust of wind!
If you find headbands uncomfortable, why not choose a hat instead? Check out our favourite wedding guest hats!
If you're looking for a small fascinator that blends in perfectly with your hair, a comb may be better, especially for those with thick hair. With a little bit of backcombing, you can place the comb anywhere on your head and at any angle.
Many small to medium-sized fascinators use a hair clip that you can wear with most hair types and lengths. They are flexible and easy to use and can be clipped into your hairline or used to hold your hair in place if you are sporting an up-do.
You can also find some fascinators with an elastic band that goes behind the back of your head, under your hairline. These are a particularly good choice if you're going to an outdoor event as the band will be more likely to keep the fascinator secure and in place.
Whether you are attending a wedding or going to the races, your fascinator will need to work harmoniously with your outfit in colour, design, and style. Below, we'll note the main styles and designs you'll find along with advice on how and when to wear it and what to wear it with.
If you're tall, choose a low fascinator if you want to avoid blocking other guests' views at a wedding ceremony, however, if you're looking to appear taller, pick a fascinator with a nice long structure. Your face shape is also important to consider as certain styles will enhance your features more than others. Here are a few recommendations, depending on your face shape.
Another important thing to consider when shopping for a fascinator is its material. Sinamay is one of the most common materials for fascinators and is made from the fibres of the abaca tree, giving it a lovely, natural texture. It's also lightweight and durable but can be easy to mould. Sinamay is widely used by milliners to create beautiful spring/summer designs.
Polyester is also widely used for its durability and resistance to water and abrasions, whilst mesh and nylon are commonly used for their light weight. Then, we have wool. Wool has a nice warm texture and feels a lot sturdier, making it perfect for autumn/winter fascinators when the temperatures are much cooler. However, if you want a more luxurious look, pick a fascinator made from satin or silk.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Lewis Kira Twist Flower Fascinator | ![]() | Add Glamour and Glitz With This Vibrant, Floral Fascinator That Comes in Multiple Colours | |
2 | John Lewis Diane Mini Pill Box Hat | ![]() | A Classic Pill Box for That Demure Vintage Look Complete With a Bow and Veil | |
3 | John Lewis Denise Bow Comb Fascinator | ![]() | A Stylish but Versatile Comb Fascinator Featuring a Delicate, Understated Bow | |
4 | Hats by Cressida Elisaveta Sinamay Silk and Feather Ascot Fascinator Hat | ![]() | Bring the X-Factor With This Absolutely Stunning Hatinator | |
5 | Z&X Sinamay Fascinator | ![]() | Add a Gorgeous Floral Note to Your Outfit With This Bohemian, Feathered Fascinator | |
6 | ASOS DESIGN Simple Fascinator Headband in Black | ![]() | A Simple, but Cute and Playful Black Bow Fascinator for All Round Use | |
7 | John Lewis & Partners Delilah Wrinkle Crin Bow Fascinator | ![]() | A Statement Fascinator With a Beautiful, Unique Design and a Charming Bow | |
8 | BABEYOND Mesh Feather Fascinator Flower Hair Clip | ![]() | An All Year Round Adaptable Fascinator Suitable for Any Season and Occasion | |
9 | Lawliet Socialite Flower Black Pearl Wool Felt Fascinator Pillbox Tilt Hat | ![]() | An Enchanting Vintage-Style Wool Pill Box Fascinator | |
10 | John Lewis & Partners Grace Loop Disc Occasion Hat | ![]() | A Charming and Sophisticated Minimalist Fascinator With a Headband |
Blending texture and shape, this eye-catching fiery red fascinator will bring elegance and sparkle to an outfit. Suiting all face shapes, this twisted classic disc design with its exquisite floral embellishment and diamante detailing sits beautifully perched on the side of your head. All the reviews rave about the comfort of the headband and stability of the design, making it ideal for all-day al fresco events.
Make a statement at Royal Ascot or other race meetings and pair with an equally fiery red or floral ensemble or wear with a mono-coloured outfit with matching red accessories. Where- or how- ever you decide to wear this fascinator, one thing is for sure, it will certainly bring glamour and colour to your look.
This beautifully understated mini pill box with its gorgeous bow and almond colouring will accompany and flatter any outfit. The veil is classic in style and creates a demure vintage and timeless look, perfect for a wedding and formal events. This would work perfectly with a neutral shade such as cream or dusky pink for a graceful look.
Fitted on a hairband, this fascinator is straightforward to wear; simply place it behind your ears, and you are good to go. It is also available in black, which is ideal for more sombre occasions or to don with a monochrome outfit.
Looking for a little something to add that finishing touch to your outfit? With its perfectly proportioned detailing and natural texture, this exquisitely understated bow will do just that. The gorgeous ivory fabric will complement any colour, whether that’s your attire or hair, and would not look out of place at a formal summer occasion.
The comb enables you to place and position the fascinator at any angle on your head, making it perfect for all face shapes. It's also very versatile as you wear it with your hair down or use it as a fixing to keep your hair in place if you decide to wear it up.
This stunning hatinator is perfect for making a bold, glamorous statement on ladies' day at Royal Ascot. Sitting on the headband at a flattering coquettish angle with its feathers and flamboyant design, it truly is a piece of art. It's comfy and easy to wear and will pair excellently with an equally bold outfit or you could make it the standout point of your look by wearing a cream dress.
Need an exact colour match for your outfit? Not a problem, these fascinators are made to order so can be colour matched - simply send a swatch of your desired colour. This option really makes the premium price worth paying.
Bohemian in style, this lovely peach pink flower and feathered fascinator is simple in design yet very elegant. It's easy to wear as you can either position it on the side of your head or use the clip to fix your hair if you are wearing it up.
This fascinator will definitely look the part at a rustic wedding or a day at the races, and with such a versatile style and colour, it would work just as well with natural pastels as it would with bold, colourful outfits. It's also available in other colours.
Looking for something more casual and playful? This black hairband with its simple bow design by ASOS DESIGN will perfectly complement a little black dress or top a shiny, sparkly outfit. Simply slide it into your hair for a stable and snug fit.
This is a great head accessory if you want a versatile piece for all year round use, as you can wear it to a winter wedding with a tailored black coat or to a summer cocktail party with a silver ensemble. It is perhaps more suited to the younger generation, but it's still excellent value for money!
Next up, we have another delightful offering from John Lewis - this one of a kind silver fascinator. With its wrinkle style design and charming bow detailing, you can tell that this piece has been beautifully designed and will certainly turn heads wherever it's worn.
The fascinator is also very comfortable, and the angled design and oversized abaca trim create a demure look whilst the bow provides personality. This fascinator will work with all face shapes and looks perfect, paired with brightly coloured outfits. If you are tall, though, this could block other spectators' or guests' views!
This medium-sized dark green flower fascinator with its feathers is a gorgeous accessory and will add an extra dimension to any summer or winter outfit. Made from organza, this fascinator is lightweight and breathable, making it comfortable and a joy to wear.
The floral design can be easily adapted to suit your desired hairstyle - wear it on a headband if you're leaving your hair down or use the clip to hold your hair in place if you're styling it up. It's also available in a multitude of colours, so we're sure you'll find one that you like. Unfortunately, some reviews have mentioned that a few colours don't match the description or photo.
This enchanting wine coloured pill box fascinator oozes warmth and a classic style. It would look great paired with a long black wool coat, making it perfect for autumn and winter occasions. It's one size fits all and is fastened either by an elastic headband or a comb, giving it a close and secure fit.
Unfortunately, it is delivered flat packed, so you may need to spend some time reshaping it, but otherwise, it has some excellent reviews. This is the perfect fascinator if you are attending a 1920's themed wedding or party.
This fascinator is relatively simple in design and structure, with an elegant bow and multiple loops that effortlessly perch on a textured disc. Tilted on a hairband, the fascinator creates a sophisticated, soft look whilst still opening up your profile. Simply style your hair and place the fascinator on your head.
For a seamlessly polished wedding look, wear this fascinator with a similar dusky pink outfit, or for the races, maybe pair it with a brightly coloured ensemble. It is more expensive than other similar offerings, but with its versatility, you could be using this fascinator for years to come, meaning it's an excellent investment!
With so many colours and designs, deciding on a fascinator can be difficult and overwhelming, so put your mind at ease, here are a few quick tips and simple rules for choosing the perfect one.
Written and researched by Amanda Norman
No. 1: John Lewis |Kira Twist Flower Fascinator
No. 2: John Lewis|Diane Mini Pill Box Hat
No. 3: John Lewis|Denise Bow Comb Fascinator
No. 4: Hats by Cressida|Elisaveta Sinamay Silk and Feather Ascot Fascinator Hat
No. 5: Z&X|Sinamay Fascinator
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