13 Cheap Fascinators, Headbands & Hats To Wear To The 2019 Spring Races

With the spring racing season almost upon us, soon we will find ourselves searching manically for a frock, pair of shoes and matching hat to help us look like a chic guest at a royal wedding, all on a shoestring budget.

Look, we’ll be honest with you. We’ve pretty much got the dress and shoes downpat, but it’s the iron-clad tradition of wearing a hat to the races that often trips us up.

It’s easy for the Bec Judds and Kate Waterhouses of the world, who have high end milliners like Nerida Winter on speed dial.

But for the rest of us, well, we’re all just out here trying not to have an awkward hat faux pas like Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, circa 2011.

Remember this famous hat disaster at Kate Middleton and Prince William’s wedding in 2011? Poor Eugenie and Beatrice.

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If you’re heading off to the races this spring, wearing some kind of headpiece is an absolute non-negotiable, says celebrity stylist Donny Gaella, who counts women such as Ada Nicodemou, Penny McNamee and Jules Robinson as clients.

“If you’re going to the races, you have to have something on your head,” Donny told OK!.

“Even if you just tie a beautiful scarf around your ponytail or wear a scrunchie, because the scrunchie trend is totally back, that’s totally fine,” Donny said.

These satin scrunchies in black or cream from Showpo only cost $16.95 and are perfect if a full-on fascinator isn’t really your scene.

This is an easy way to tick off the headwear requirement at the races.

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Wrap around your messy bun or ponytail for a lazy girl’s solution to the headwear dilemma.

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And you don’t have to spend a lot of money to find a chic, appropriate headpiece.

“I saw some stunning $20 headscarves in Cotton On the other day that you can match to your outfit and tie into your bun or ponytail, or you could pin a cute brooch or some clips into your hair,” Donny said.

Other styles Donny suggested include a headband or a crown, which are both on-trend at the moment, or a big hat to protect your face from the sun on the day.

“I feel we’re going to see lots of big hats this season … big boater styles and the bigger the better.”

We’ve rounded up 10 cute, affordable head wear ideas for this spring racing season. Keep scrolling and you’ll find the links to purchase in the captions.