Veiled Hats with Chantilly Lace Bring a Sexy and Mysterious Look This Season

Delicate nets, tulle and chantilly lace for hats, headbands and fascinators: Get ready for a classy fall 2015, because hats with veils are back in style. This classic and seductive accessory can channel a sophisticated, mysterious, or sexy vibe – depending on how you peek through the see-through lace.  

A bit of costume history      

The veiled hat was invented by Charles Frederick Worth, an English designer working for the upper class in the late 1800s, and one of the fathers of haute couture. During the Belle Epoque (a period of Western European history from 1871 – World War I) it became trendy, but disappeared just before World War I, reappearing in the 1950s.

Photo Credit: Colette Malouf

How do you wear the veiled hat?

The main rule in pulling off this style is that it’s not a casual look. Your make-up and outfit have to support the idea, you can’t pull off the veiled hat with jeans and a t-shirt and no make-up. It works best accompanying a sophisticated and girly style. The veiled hat is flashy enough on its own, you don’t need to add many additional accessories.

As seen on the runways

Inspiration for this look comes from award shows and runway shows, where celebrities and models show how to pull off this delicate trend. You can see in our featured image above, Beyonce at the 2014 MET Gala, Dita Von Teese at Alexis Mabille’s show during Paris Fashion Week, and Madonna in Givenchy at the 2015 Grammys. An amazing designer who has incorporated this style into her collection is Jennifer Behr. Swarovski, pearls and nets adorn her designs, and they are a favorite of the stars.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Behr

Go for the preppy style with a colorful veiled hat, a la Kate Middleton,recalling the princess’ upper crust look. Pair with a classy and understated dress, medium heels, strong eye make-up and nude lips.

Photo Credit: E Online

A black veiled hat, though usually associated with mourning, is feminine, intriguing and can give you that Burlesque look. Your ensemble suddenly becomes sexy and mysterious. Dita Von Teese loves wearing every kind of veiled hat with glamorous 1950’s hair, red lips, extra eyeliner and extra-long lashes. You can replicate this idea by wearing a peplum top with a pencil skirt or a corolla dress. Try fishnets or lined tights and high heels.

 Photo Credit: Daily Mail

Go Flapper girl with ankle strap sandals, a satin chemise dress (even better if it has a fringe), and a wavy French twisted updo topped with the veiled headpiece. A headband goes great with short hair.

A great place to shop this look is Colette Malouf, a leading designer of hair accessories. From her laboratory in Soho, Manhattan, she designs jewelry for the hair with flowers, feathers, and glittering Swarovski crystals. Thanks to her creativity and family background, Colette has created a solid company at a young age. Her creations are inspired by vintage pieces that she found as a child in her grandparents’ attic.

Photo Credit: Colette Malouf

However you choose to wear the veiled hat, as an outlandish costume-y accessory, or as a sexy addition to your ensemble, they key is to keep it fun and playful.