Buck Pal visit, hair accessory help needed!

[Shodan]

I will be going to Buckingham Palace in a few weeks, to attend a presentation of colours. The dress code is the same as for invited guests to the trooping the colour, apparently.

Ds1 tells me that hats are optional, and knowing my aversion to them, has suggested a fascinator. But I don't like those either 😳(I'm 54 and they make me feel like I'm wearing a large bow in my hair, Victorian schoolgirl-style)

I would go with no hair accessory at all, but I'm seriously bad at hair dos. I can, however, manage a low chignon, but wanted something a bit fancy to a) be a bit more dressed up and b) potentially cover up any failings in my hair do!

Can anyone find me something I could tuck into the top of the chignon? I thought of one of those decorative hair combs, but they all seem to have crystals/rhinestones/fake pearls or are large flowers and that doesn't seem suitable to me.

For reference I'll be wearing a black and ivory dress (mostly ivory, with black 'etched' flowers), black shoes and jacket.

Sincerely hoping you can help me here!

Are any of these any good?

www.jonrichard.com/search/hair-comb

Thank you @octopusrus I'll have a look at all of those.

I don't know if it would suit you at all but have you thought of a headband style of head dressing?

PS. I'm well jell!

Thank you @Gracewithoutend , but headbands seem to slide slowly off the back of my head, which wouldn't give the right sort of impression I fear 😆And, I admit, again with the schoolgirl thing, although in the case of the headband it's more jolly hockey sticks.

(It's no wonder I never contribute to any threads on style and beauty)

https://www.accessorize.com/uk/molten-ring-hair-pin-5860358100.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping-feed&utm_content=free-google-shopping-clicks&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnMWkBhDLARIsAHBOftrFWk7wbDQmL8W49LZqec3QgKibA24bziVqow0J6Jyi5BfCmdAhv48aAr0IEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

What about something like this?

This kind of thing? https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/lace-bow-barrette

Although I think a more streamlined satin or grosgrain bow would be nicer.

Streamlined is good- I definitely lean more towards the kind of thing that @Handsfullofholes linked.

I suspect that's the bulk of the problem tbh- I'm not a frills and furbelows kind of person.

Its crystal but black so less sparkly
https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/twoforjoyheadbands/product/enya-black-crystal-hair-comb?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=16816987191&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&DGMKT=FID__TID__PID_1274005_CRI_&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnMWkBhDLARIsAHBOftqLr_pRddVDFC9-lioJxyWDoI6Cmh_v_kuqMZ0PFV3uCPrwj-zP8T0aAjt6EALw_wcB

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1315335940/vintage-wedding-headdress-black?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=black+hair+comb&ref=sr_gallery-1-16&frs=1&organic_search_click=1

Floral

https://www.coastfashion.com/feather-flower-large-hair-clip/BCC05249-105-35.html?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnMWkBhDLARIsAHBOftrsYEUyJOeng4ZfBpvJX1uMd1kc0lEzRBy32aWiTTf65uFvRQflCskaAveqEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Beaded

https://www.busbyandfox.com/collections/hair-accessories/products/jules-striped-headband

Feathers but very understated

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1302436580/black-feather-hair-clip-with-ostrich?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=funeral+hair+clips&ref=sr_gallery-1-22&frs=1&organic_search_click=1

More feathers

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/794842471/small-black-vintage-feather-crystal?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=funeral+hair+clips&ref=sr_gallery-3-10&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

Just get your hair done and hairspray the bejesus out of it

Haha! No problem, @Shodan. I can't wear hairbands either because they give me a headache. (I've a big head! 😆 ) I just mentioned it because my (very stylish- don't tell her I said that!) sister picked up a couple for a do she's going to and they looked fab. But maybe too weddingy though anyway.

But hair decoration or no hair decoration, what a great time you'll have. Let us know all about it when you get back.

Could you get someone to wire beads &/or small silk flowers onto a comb? I got combs made up for my wedding but it was a long time ago & I can't remember if it was the hairdresser or the florist who did it! Maybe check out etsy or local craft people for someone who can make something subtle for you.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1203108439/bridal-gold-hair-pins-3pcs-delicate?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=floral+hair+accessories&ref=sr_gallery-2-9&frs=1&organic_search_click=1

Or pins?

I’d just wear a hat, not a fancy one but something like a black trilby would work with your outfit.

@ifIwerenotanandroid TBH I'm seriously tempted to make one myself, because I do all that crafty stuff, but I'm making my dress already (and am building an extension, which requires much physical, time-consuming labour).

I like the hairpins that you linked to, but also the black crystal hair comb that londonmummy linked. Would crystals be suitable? I was worried they'd be a bit eveningy/weddingy.

Maybe I should just get my hair done and hairspray the bejesus out of it 😁(although confession time- I haven't been to a hairdresser for over a decade cos I cut my own hair. That's the level of 'style and beauty' you're all working with here)

Try this page, & scroll down for garden party info.
https://comptonhouseoffashion.co.uk/royal-garden-party-dresses/

Maybe crystals with a bit of matching net (or other fabric/ribbon) bunched up would look less glitzy & more daytime. It could still be small enough to look lovely from behind & not be visible from the front. And/or you could have a wired trail of crystals coming off the comb & curving round your chignon.

Yours in frank admiration for anyone who can do a chignon, let alone make a dress for Buck House & build their own extension at the same time.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1431916319/hair-stick-bun-holder-minimalist-blue?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=chignon+hair+clip&ref=sr_gallery-2-20&organic_search_click=1

??

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/580553292/beach-wedding-sea-shell-pin-mother-of?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=chignon+hair+clip+crystal&ref=sr_gallery-1-26&edd=1&organic_search_click=1

??

@ifIwerenotanandroid I would love to know what words you googled because I didn't find aything as lovely as the leaf hair pin! I also really like the shell pin. And the flowers. They are exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for.

(FYI the chignon is, to me, the most difficult part. I have watched many, many youtube videos and tbh it'll depend on the day how successful it may be 😂)

@Shodan I think I googled & searched on etsy using 'hair decoration' & introducing 'comb' or 'crystal' or 'chignon' into it. I got unsuitable stuff up as well as things that appealed to me.

How long is the ceremony, including standing around before and after? What is the weather forecast? You may be glad of a hat for protection and shade if you're facing hours under a hot sun. Maybe have more than one option ready to go, and decide on the day? Looking elegant is as much about ease and comfort as embellishment.

(My own hair will never achieve this, by any means :)

Friends were there last week when it was baking hot. You're not allowed to take drinks in but there is a loo so be well-hydrated beforehand.

Do you have a side parting - can you just wear a slide to hold your hair back at one side with your hair down.

@ifIwerenotanandroid I'll give those a go too, thank you.

@Stravaig I'm actually not sure- DS1 has been typically tricky to pin down on the specifics (he's far more concerned with giving ds2's shoes a 'proper' polish!) but I'll check. I have watched the only video thee seems to be available ( I think it was a forces one) and they appear to be standing under trees, so hopefully should be ok there. Maybe @Whataretheodds might know more from her friends? (hopeful tag)

@Caradonna I do have a side parting, and have worn it like that for evenings out- and probably didn't consider it for that reason? Would that be suitable for daytime fancy-yet-tastefulness?

It's easy to correct a simple slide if it's windy etc Not so much a chignon with pins if you don't normally wear it.