Forget fascinators. This $20 hat is the only accessory you'll need for the Melbourne Cup.

Senior Lifestyle Writer

October 30, 2018

Don’t sue me, but fascinators are pretty much dead.

At the very least, they’re dead to me because I just found the accessory I’ll be wearing for Melbourne Cup this year.

Oh, Aussie supermodel Jennifer Hawkins will be wearing it too (she told us in our Spring Racing Fashion video below). Well, probably not the exact same one because mine’s under $20.

It’s the Cotton On Rubi Ascot Boater Hat and it’s $19.95.

The traditional flat top, boater style straw (look) hat comes in three colours – natural with a black band, all black and a peachy rust – and will go with literally all of your race day outfit options.

Side note – one of spring racing’s biggest trends for 2018 is head-to-toe pastel/sorbet tones; the light rust version would look really chic with a peachy, light copper dress, shoes and a tan.

cotton-on-boater — The classic boater. Image: Cotton On.

Amy Clark

Senior Lifestyle Writer

October 30, 2018

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Nothing To Wear

If you're still not convinced enough to close down the 50 million tabs open with exxy fascinators, consider this:

A boater will provide you with more sun protection than a fascinator.
A boater can be worn again on wine tours, at summer BBQs and to brunch, so the cost per wear is far more economical than a fascinator.
A boater won't hurt your head like fascinators tend to behind the ears.
A boater will cover the 'greasyish' roots of your two or three-day-old hair, which you couldn't wash because your waves would fall out.

See? This is the wise option, my friend.

No worries if the $20 Cotton On hat doesn't quite do it for you. Here are a bunch of other spendy and savey options you might like instead.