Need opinions

[katman2540]

My wife was invited to a cousins Afternoon Tea Bridal Shower and the invitation state "Fancy Hat or Fascinator required Gloves optional". Is this normal now? My wife is not really the super dressy type and she never wears hats. She dresses up when she needs to and doesn't mind it but this is not something we have lying around the house. Plus she doesn't really have a dress that would go with a Fancy Hat. Will they really not let her in? Should she decline or should she spend the money on a hat.

 

[PlutoBaby]

My wife was invited to a cousins Afternoon Tea Bridal Shower and the invitation state "Fancy Hat or Fascinator required Gloves optional". Is this normal now? My wife is not really the super dressy type and she never wears hats. She dresses up when she needs to and doesn't mind it but this is not something we have lying around the house. Plus she doesn't really have a dress that would go with a Fancy Hat. Will they really not let her in? Should she decline or should she spend the money on a hat.

How close is she to the bride? Being an avid bridal shower hater, I would only go to maybe a thrift store if I was close to the bride. Showers are usually all about the gifts anyway.

 

[katman2540]

How close is she to the bride? Being an avid bridal shower hater, I would only go to maybe a thrift store if I was close to the bride. Showers are usually all about the gifts anyway.

Its one of her cousin's bride to be. not that close.

 

[MichiganKris]

I would not purchase a hat or gloves for this. I would contact the person who sent the invitation and ask if I could get in without those, and if not, tell them you will not be coming and send a gift. It could be the person hosting the shower thought it would be very nice if everyone had the hat and gloves and didn't think people would object.

 

[katman2540]

I would not purchase a hat or gloves for this. I would contact the person who sent the invitation and ask if I could get in without those, and if not, tell them you will not be coming and send a gift. It could be the person hosting the shower thought it would be very nice if everyone had the hat and gloves and didn't think people would object.

Thats what I was thinking too. She is going to contact her Aunt and see what she says.

 

[riley2008]

If she wants to go, then get a hat. If she doesn't want to go, send regrets.

If she goes without a hat, she may be the only one there without one, and then she may feel silly. On the other hand, if she is comfortable being the only one without a hat and she wants to go, then she should go. They won't "deny her".

Thrift stores, Michael's craft stores - won't be too much for a hat, but I do agree a bit wasteful. Maybe she could ask around for a hat. Certainly someone has one she could borrow. I wouldn't even worry if it matched what I wore.....thinking red hat anyone?

 

[HunnyPots]

Well, it would not be very smart of the hostess to refuse admittance of a guest, especially a gift-bearing guest, to a bridal shower because of some silly hat thing. I would probably ignore the request and go as planned, if I had planned to go. I know lots of ladies that really get into things like that and have fun with it, but I am not one of them. On the other hand, if she wants to go along with the "rule", just go and buy a fascinator, which is really just a hair clip with a feather or flower attached. Less than $5 at any store that sells hair accessories.

 

[Hannathy]

I would buy a hat! It doesn't have to be expensive. You could look at Goodwill or a thrift shop. You could buy an inexpensive summer hat and add some feathers or silk flowers or a pretty piece of old jewelry from the thrift shop or some ribbon, etc.

I would go and enjoy something a little different and have a fun afternoon.

They aren't going to ask to see the price tag, just that she has a hat.

 

[scrapquitler]

My wife was invited to a cousins Afternoon Tea Bridal Shower and the invitation state "Fancy Hat or Fascinator required Gloves optional". Is this normal now? My wife is not really the super dressy type and she never wears hats. She dresses up when she needs to and doesn't mind it but this is not something we have lying around the house. Plus she doesn't really have a dress that would go with a Fancy Hat. Will they really not let her in? Should she decline or should she spend the money on a hat.

Seems to me like if someone invited me to a costume party. I'd figure that I SHOULD wear a costume, but not required. It's not like they are going to stand at the door and say "No, you can't come in!"

If I were to get this invite, I'd probably wear whatever I'd wear to a shower (a casual dress or nice pants and a blouse) and then figure out how to come up with some hat. I'd either build myself some sort of hat (find an inexpensive hat somewhere like at a craft or thrift store) and glue a fake flower on it or just make something silly (like the typical 'hat' made by the bridesmaids at the shower out of a paper plate, ribbons and bows).

Honestly, it's not something worth stressing about. Instead, I'd likely try to do something silly and outrageous. Here's a website with some picture instructions to 'make your own fascinator' honestly something as simple as few feathers on a headband will do. Then your wife has played along with this silly theme.

 

[ceecee]

I agree with the thirft shop idea. Or make a Fascinator by glueing on a flower to a headband, I would think that would work. Like a PP stated, it wouldn't be smart to not let in a guest. I can't help but think many people will come "hatless".

 

[usnuzuloose]

Does your wife know someone with hats? Maybe she could borrow one.

 

[Styx Fan]

I love to wear baseball style hats. I would attache some flowers or feather, etc to one of them and wear it. It would be unique, thats for sure!

 

[NYCDiane]

She can easily make a fascinator with thrift store finds and a 99 cents store wide headband. Use Google images to browse "fascinators", choose one she likes, and make it!! It's really very simple.

 

[msmama]

I bet she could find something cheap at Claire's or one of those other little "tween" jewelry stores at the mall. And yeah, a fancy headband with a feather one it would probably suffice.

Sounds like just a fun idea, I think. It sounds like something that's really not too serious.

 

[dumbocutie]

If I really wanted to attend the shower I would go along with the theme. Taking in all the suggestions up above...thrift store, just wearing dollar store flower on hair clip or headband.

But if I really did not want to attend. Send regrets and small gift.

 

[sam_gordon]

Go with the fascinator. I personally just like the way the look.

Unless she's looking for an excuse NOT to go.

 

[QVCshopper]

I would go just as I am. I was invited to one that wanted pearls and something or other. About half wore them, half didn't. They also collected for a wishing well, which I did buy a gift for, but I was one of the select few. Going is enough, IMHO.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Go to Dollar Tree or some other $1 store. Ours has Easter hats for $1 and boas for $1. Wrap the fuzzy boa around the hat and tada - fancy/tacky hat.