The Gloucestershire town of Cheltenham, acclaimed for its Regency architecture, spa waters and literature festival, holds special memories for me. I lived in Cheltenham for around three years in the late 1990s, as a PhD student, and earned my doctorate on fashion and Britishness whilst there (for more on that, refer to my book, The National Fabric, 2005, published by Bloomsbury). I fondly remember (in no particular order) the rolling Cotswold hills, The Beehive pub, The SubTone bar (recently closed), the lido at Sandford Parks and, of course, the horses, racetrack and associated high jinks of the annual Cheltenham Festival, with its famous Gold Cup.
Today (16/03/2022) is Ladies Day at The Cheltenham Festival 2022 and it forms an important milestone in the millinery calendar. It is the day most closely associated with fashion and hats, with punters dressing up in their finery as a traditional part of the celebrations. At Cheltenham, given its scheduling in early Spring with its potential for inclement weather and late frosts, women tend to wear robust, brimmed, hats in felt and wool such as trilbies and fedoras. Flimsier, and more flamboyant, head gear is saved for the Summery exuberance of Ascot later in the Season. Cheltenham is the place for country-inspired style with tweeds and checks in muted hues and those-in-the-know will be aware that pheasant feathers are the trim of choice among the smart set.
Given these conventions, Goodrum & Merryweather’s ‘Whisky Mac’ (pictured) would strike quite the perfect note for a day out at Cheltenham. I made this hat as part of the ‘Shaken & Stirred’ collection, using an original ‘halo’ block from the 1950s to achieve a beautiful, face framing, arched effect so redolent of vintage millinery. It’s made in wool felt, in a deep hunter green colour and is finished with a rather striking plume of feathers and oversized vintage button. An odds-on favourite? Sure bet.
Goodrum & Merryweather 