In 2024, the iconic Coke hat celebrates its 175th anniversary.
Lock & Co. has partnered with the Royal School of Needlework for RSN x Bowler Hat to commemorate this milestone.
With the wedding season now upon us, whether you are the bride, groom, or wedding guest, it’s time to think about completing your outfit with the perfect hat.
Rules surrounding wedding guest millinery are not what they once were however here at Lock & Co. Hatters we firmly believe that choosing the right piece is both a decision of style and etiquette.
A top hat is considered a formal wedding hat and is most commonly worn with tails. Both grey and black top hats are deemed acceptable, with the pinnacle being a vintage silk (we lovingly restore these at No. 6 St. James’s).
To ensure the perfect fit, we recommend booking an appointment at our London hat shop to have your head measured with a conformateur.
Master Hatters tip: When wearing a top hat at a wedding, it should be straight, levelled at about two fingers above the eyebrows.
Top hat wedding etiquette: Toppers should be removed in the church or inside the reception venue, even for photographs.
Choosing your hat or outfit first is a personal preference but no matter the order, our team of stylists are on hand to help. Our London showroom houses our exclusive collection of occasion and couture hats for you to try, so be sure to book an appointment via our Contact Us page.
Stylist’s tip: we recommend bringing the outfit you are planning to wear, or at the very least, a photograph of yourself in it.
Wedding hat etiquette: Women’s hats at weddings are a fashion accessory and a crucial part of their outfits so they do not need to remove their hats when going indoors. However, a woman would remove a large-brimmed hat in church (so as not to block someone else’s view of the bride and groom) and at a wedding sit-down dinner.