FAQ’s
How should I look after my hat?
Store your millinery away from sunlight in the box it came in or in a sealed box or a container with tissue paper for cushioning. Check that feather aren’t getting bent and use tissue paper to stuff into bows and ceiling so they keep their shape.
Avoid wearing your hat in the rain or getting it wet. Your hat was more than likely created by wetting and steaming straw and shaping on a wooden hat block while drying. If your hat gets wet while you are wearing it, it may undo the blocking process and distort the shape.
Why isn’t my headpiece perfect?
These are handmade items and although every care is taken to produce a beautiful and perfect finished product, they are not the same as a mass produced item made in a factory or by machine. There are bound to be small imperfections or ‘quirks’ but remember that this is a unique item which you won’t see on anyone else! If this bothers you please contact me and either I will do my best to rectify the problem or your hat can be returned. The sinamay fabric that most of the hats are made from is a natural material woven from pineapple fibre in the Philippines. As such it too may contain odd imperfections and this is quite normal. In the same way, silk may contain ‘slubs’ and feathers will all be slightly different.
How do I know what will go with my outfit?
The easiest answer is to choose a matching colour with toning decorations to add interest. Generally, if your outfit is soft pale or pastel colours then your hat should be the same – a bright purple hat to go with a pastel pink dress would probably jar. For example, a cream outfit teamed with a taupe hat will always look chic and elegant.
If your outfit is a strong colour then a contrast in another strong colour can make for a zingy combination. Try pairing orange and pink or cobalt blue with emerald green for instance.
If your outfit is multi coloured then picking out one of the main colours is the best way to go. Look at your dress in the mirror – which colour is dominant? Other colours can be added in the decoration.
There are no hard and fast rules – dare to be different!
Can I return my headpiece?
For items bought online please notify me within 7 days of receiving your item if you intend to return it. I allow 14 days from the date of receipt of the headpiece to return it to me. My returns requirements are that it is returned by first class tracked post, properly packaged to prevent damage and it is unworn and undamaged and has not had the tag tampered with in any way. I cannot accept a return that does not meet these requirements. Once it arrives back I’ll check it over and refund you for the item. I cannot make any exceptions to these conditions. Items bought in person are not returnable but in some circumstances I might be able to offer an exchange.
I cant’t find a hat in the right colour, can you help?
Sometimes it can be really tricky to match colours. If I can’t find materials in the right colour to match your outfit I offer a bespoke dyeing service. If we are working together online then I can send you colour swatches to make sure the colour is right. It’s notoriously difficult working from photographs as different lenses/cameras/monitors often show colours slightly differently. Also, different fabrics and materials dye differently (eg feathers take colour differently to straw) so there will always be some slight variations but I will always take pains to match as closely as possible.