You don’t need to be a preschooler with a penchant for DIY to enjoy a good hat parade. There are plenty of events happening around town this Easter that warrant a good piece of headwear, and preferably one you can wear more than once. We’ve rounded up some of Sydney and Melbourne’s finest hatters for you to wrap your head around before the weekend hits.
Jonathan Howard
The Hatmaker boss man has just released a luxe Autumn/Winter collection crammed with rich burgundys, fine leathers and textured white felt. The signature wide-brimmed style in burgundy felt with soft fold detail is perfect for obscuring your teeth in case of chocolate stains, and will still provide plenty of wear when the days turn chillier.
Strand Hatters
This place is for hatophiles; what candy stores are to kids. Boasting an intercontinental anthology of quality hats ranging from slick top hats and hip fedoras to sombreros and Ecuadorian panamas, at Strand Hatters you’ll find something to suit no matter what you’ve got in store for the weekend.
Suzy O’Rourke
Suzy’s enameled rattan boater made multiple appearances in this month’s Vogue Australia, and even the more daytime-appropriate styles are still plenty dazzling. The ‘Crystal Stud Headband’ from her latest collection is the perfect partner for lazy Sunday lunching.
Kerrie Stanley
Millinery maestro Kerrie Stanley is a solid favourite on race day, but not all her creations are as bold as the Princess Beatrice-inspired hat that Andrej Pejic tried to wear to last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival. Her sculptural headpieces will convert even the most vehement of fascinator opponents.
Julie Fleming
See off summer in romantic floral garlands, headbands and classic straw hats from Melbourne Milliner Julie Fleming. She even does hat making lessons in her sunny Prahran studio if DIY is indeed your thing – sans the cheap feathers and PVA glue.