Ratty Tat Hats

Congratulations to the beautiful bride and wearer of this custom ivory Ratty Tat Hat, Nivens McTwisp aka the White Rabbit. Complete with its teapot hatpins and other nods to Alice in Wonderland, I hope you agree, it is a fitting accompaniment to her very special Mad Hatter's Tea Party x

A colourful little bouquet that is going to complement several of the owner's outfits was the answer to the brief. This little cloche hat, The Margery Fish, looks amazing on its proud wearer. Another custom make and its diverse floral gathering seemed like a fitting tribute to the wonderful Margery Fish, famous for her wonderful cottage garden designs x

I am in heaven x

Created especially for a budding trumpet player, this is Swing Time by Ratty Tat Hats. The young man requested not only an ode to his love of music on his custom top hat but also wanted a little nod to his keen interest in IT. Sourcing the perfect components for my designs is always important for me so I was very pleased to find this miniature trumpet with as much detail as it has x

Ratty Tat Hats to be found tomorrow at Belfast Castle with the lovely Frock Fairs folk x

The Victoria by Ratty Tat Hats certainly has a Neo-Victorian style. The blush pink slubby silk combined with a traditional black and white seersucker fabric help provide real vintage vibe and gives a harmony to the feminine meets Steampunk design x

Keeping it simple. This navy Steampunk top hat is another recent addition to Ratty Tat Hats' website and is aptly named Steam Bean. With a glass bean trim and various hues of turquoise, denim and navy blues even in the subtle feather trim....don't you think it would make a great companion for a denim outfit?

On a lovely positive note to round off the first work week of the year....this warm berry red cloche departed for its forever home within the first hour of "going public". As followers of Ratty Tat Hats may be aware, I often use the names of garden designers for my cloche hats. In this instance I chose one from close to home, the passionate gardener responsible for the early designs at Mount Stewart, Lady Londonderry. I have very fond memories of the summer I spent at Mount Stewart with my Hackney horse, Max put to a Landau carriage, delivering visitors to the front door of this magnificent house. Max aka Dr Jekyll was such a spirited animal competing regularly in the cross country, carriage driving trials but a true gent when transporting brides and other passengers x

Cheeky or should I be flattered that I have created something worth copying? The first two photos are of a hat called Bilbo that I designed and created 4 years ago. The third image is of a hat recently mass produced on the other side of the world. Clearly the company in question must not employ their own designer when it needs to blatantly imitate my design! You just have to chuckle even if it is through gritted teeth :)

I am often asked do I have favourite hats amongst my creations and my reply is usually, "That's like trying to choose your favourite kid!". Pushed on the point, I would have to admit this one, Kaleidoscope, is right up there. I am not sure if it is down to the content, colours or indeed both. I painstakingly created the three butterflies which shimmer beautifully and have ink pen nib bodies. After all, who doesn't love butterflies? Did you know a group of butterflies is called a Kaleidoscope? There is even one at the rear of this hat so the back looks as pretty as the front. Kaleidoscope will soon be joining an array of recent creations on the website so hopefully this rascal will soon flutter off to its forever home x

AHOY, me hearties! Imagine dolphin watching off the Donegal coast....well this Ratty Tat Hat, Neptune will be getting plenty of that aboard its spirited little craft, the Nuala Star. It will accompany its proud new wearer, the skipper, with the passengers on their sightseeing and diving excursions from Teelin Pier. AND Double Fisherman's knots...hah!! I should perhaps have cracked a bottle of Champagne over Neptune for luck but I do know this hat is proving popular so it's already lucky x

"You're mad bonkers but I'll tell you a secret, all the best people are." from Alice in Wonderland. I am signing off from the Ratty Tat Hats' studio for a coupla of days so may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. The lady that received this custom creation, Bonkers, has already confirmed that she is very happy with her present for this year. Have a joyful and peaceful time folks x

Competition closed and the winner of the £20 Ratty Tat Hats' Gift Voucher, chosen randomly by Comment Picker....is Nan Heasley.
A £20 Ratty Tat Hats' Gift Voucher is UP FOR GRABS as we have reached a fabulous milestone. To help us celebrate and be in with a chance of winning the voucher comment below this post and of course page/post likes and shares are very welcome. Spread the love :) A winner will be chosen at random on Saturday evening. The voucher can be used towards purchase of any current Ratty Tat Hat or a custom hat creation. It could even be this recent design The Gatekeeper x

This Sunday is the last market of 2019 for Ratty Tat Hats and what a great note to finish the year on! I have been extremely busy creating so there will be a host of yet unseen designs. I will also have Gift Vouchers with me at the market....a popular choice if you are not quite sure which hat to pick!

The Daisy Fellowes is a custom wide brim cloche hat for a lady who already has two much adored Ratty Tat Hats. On this occasion the brief was to create a comfortable and practical hat with a quirky and elegant style, that would complement two of her winter coats on her journeys to business meetings and events x

Left to my own devices I often stumble down memory lane and how can anyone forget that brilliant drama, Monarch of the Glen? It was not-to-be missed Sunday evening viewing for me, with Richard Briers as Hector and Susan Hampshire as Molly.....oooh I digress! Okay so this recent top hat is Lass o' the Glens and will I follow up with a gent's Monarch?.....Very possibly x

THIS SATURDAY....yay!!!

Yes I know I always complain about poor light for the photos but on this occasion it highlights the lovely two tone colours of the embroidered taffeta on this recent creation, Milady de Winter. This hat's colours and textures are so very Hygge, don't you think? x