Gotta have a HATINATOR

Stacy Squires

Heads up: Firth and feather hatinator, top, by milliner Melodie McColl. Hot shape, right and black and white style bottom, from Park Avenue fashions.

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The hatinator might be small in size, but the new fashion accessory is set to be a big hit during Cup Week in Christchurch next month.

There will still be women who prefer to complete a race-day outfit with a wide-brimmed hat or feathery fascinators, but this year it is expected many heads will be adorned with dainty berets, turbans, bill- boxes, headbands and scarves.

Fiona Cox, managing director of Park Avenue Fashions, says this new style of headwear has been popular with younger women and it was a good option for those who do not feel comfortable wearing a hat.

"I think a lot of people found the fascinator a little too small, but they didn't want to wear a big hat. A 'hatinator' is something in between. I think it is a good compromise. It's mostly younger women buying them, mid-teens to early 30s. I think this is because they look good and are so easy to wear."

The term "hatinator" is fairly new and is being used to describe the hybrid between a fascinator and hat.

It is often a headband, scarf or comb that has been embellished - anything from oversized silk flowers, to sculptured sinnamay, feathers, lace and netting. Popular colours include sage, coral, blue, teal and hot pink, with caramel and the Christchurch essential combo of black and white continuing to charm.

Christchurch woman Melodie McColl has been making hats for six years and won "best hat" last year with her hatinator in the best-dressed contest at Addington on Cup Day.

She says she likes the new trend and has been inundated with requests to make hatinators this year.

"Hatinators are good because they tend to suit all garments, unlike hats which need a definite 'hat garment'. Also, they don't ruin your hairdo and because they are are fixed better they don't blow away easily."

McColl says although she has made hatinators for older women, they have been more popular with a younger market. "I think that's because it's a more fun, contemporary look and it's new, and young people like change. However, I have sold one model to an 80-year-old woman for Cup Day.

- © Fairfax NZ News