How it all began...
Welcome
My name is Lucy Davies and I’m the proud owner of The Dress Room, based in the beautiful historic Minster Town of Southwell in Nottinghamshire.
I’ve been a great lover of fashion and advocate for women looking and feeling their best even from being a small child when I used to watch my beautiful mother getting ready to go out. She always used to say to me, “Wear what makes you happy”, and “You can never be over-dressed”. She’s not wrong! When you wear what makes you happy, it makes you feel good on the inside as well as looking good on the outside. It gives you the confidence to be yourself and this in turn can make you radiate with elegance and beauty. It always works for my mum!
My interest in hats and fascinators began when I started going to racing events like Ascot, Cheltenham, Doncaster and my hometown racecourse, Southwell.
I embrace seeing women dressed in their finery and the highlight of my day at such events is to admire all of the beautiful ladies in their fabulous millinery. You see so many incredible designs, and the imagination, creativity and skill involved in making them is simply breath taking. I always get hat envy, even now!
When attending such events I used to purchase my own hats but always had a budget. Unfortunately the real head turners can cost a small fortune and for that reason they aren’t always accessible to all. Hiring a hat can be a quarter of the cost and can be the key to helping you achieve your perfect look.
Image by Tom Wren
I have been to several hat hire places over the years and found some to be quite uninviting. I’ve been told not to touch the hats or have only been shown a select few that have been chosen for me. Choosing a hat is fun and exciting. I also feel that it’s a personal choice and you should be able and be encouraged to try them on and enjoy selecting your perfect headpiece.
I got really hooked on hats after being selected for best dressed lady at Southwell Ladies Day. I felt amazing in the hat I had chosen that day, and to be picked to go on the stage made me feel like a million dollars. I have the lady I hired the hat from to thank for that, and the help and advice she gave me inspired me. It got me thinking - I’d like to make other ladies feel like a million dollars, no matter what event they are at, and hence the beginning of The Dress Room.
So, please come and visit me for a relaxed, informal but professional one to one consultation, no matter what your occasion is. I have a vast range of hats and dresses at varying prices, by some of the top designers in the business. I am also a milliner and can make bespoke headpieces (subject to my availability) or trim any hat to suit your needs and to create the perfect outfit!
My lovely Mother, Denise
Testimonials
Natalie
Lucy was absolutely fabulous and extremely helpful in finding us all the perfect hats to go with our wedding outfits. She even went the extra mile to help my grandma find a suitable bag to match her outfit :) Highly recommended the hat parlour!
Jude
What a delightful experience with the lovely Lucy!
A wide range of hat styles and colours and excellent customer service. Our appointment was unrushed and there wasn't a trace of sales pressure, only a genuine desire to help and lots of (very welcome) suggestions given, from someone whose obvious passion is hats!
If your hat isn't there then Lucy can source it!
Thanks for being so accommodating and for making our visits such a lovely experience.
Katrina
Absolutely love it here, hats for any occasion, budget and personality. Such helpful and friendly advice (this lady really knows her stuff) Tried on loads and have reserved something very special for my daughters wedding. Will definitely be back, and would thoroughly recommend. Thank you so much