Ah, that crowning glory...

Tiaras don’t have to be restricted to royalty or special occasions. Rhea Charles discusses how they are becoming integral to everyday attire.

Before Tara Nichani rushed out to enjoy an evening of partying with her friends, she checked her new acquisition in the mirror which added an elegant finish to her look — a tiara. Tiaras have been around for generations.

Usually considered a thing belonging to the royalty, the modern take on tiaras makes them a must-have for every girl out there.

What makes tiaras different from crowns, you ask? Well, crowns have been worn by kings and queens throughout history as a symbol of authority, superiority and royalty. Whereas a tiara is a semi-circular type of crown, mostly worn by women as an ornament to add pizzazz for formal occasions.

Over the years, women have started wearing delicate, intricately designed tiaras on their wedding day to add that extra flair and make them feel like the princesses they would like to be. However, of late, women and girls have been sporting tiaras of various kinds just for that extra oomph factor.

They give the wearer a very dainty appeal, even while adding that bit of edge to their complete look. And the fun thing about tiaras are that they can be worn with any kind of hairstyle, whether it is a severe bun, a fun cheerleader ponytail, or wavy beach hair. They merely complement and accentuate the overall style of the wearer.

A lot of modern TV shows, like Game of Thrones and Downtown Abbey use
glittery fairy tale-inspired tiaras in a lot of their characters’ outfits. This makes the trend quite popular. It also attracts younger customers, widening the market in turn.

Saving grace
Another aspect of these wonderful accessories is that they are perfect for those times when you’re having a bad hair day. Your hair is sticking out in all directions and you just have no time to tame it? Flaunt those colourful tiaras. They will take all the attention away from your unruly hair. They will, however, enhance your look and make your hair appear truly chic.

Joanna, a first year architecture student, says that tiaras are just perfect for everyday wear. “I almost always cover up a bad hair day with a trendy tiara. It gives me that bit of spunk that I’m always looking for. I wear simple flowery ones for a day out, and glittery, stylish ones for a party.” The traditional tiaras have been modernised and inspired by the Greek floral wreaths that were used as crowns. They are just as delicate and can be worn with absolutely any outfit and for just about any event.

Whether it’s a day on the beach, or a Sunday brunch, these quirky headpieces are definite head-turners. The best part being that women and girls of all ages can be seen working their tiara magic. “The wreath-inspired floral tiaras get sold out pretty fast. The wide range of colours give the clients a variety to choose from and are always hot sellers,” says the owner of a fashion accessories store.

Lately though, bohemian-inspired looks have been doing the rounds and are quite the crowd pleaser. The quintessential tiaras have been tweaked to give the wearer a bohemian look. They are merely delicate chains put together in appealing patterns; some with stones to add a bit of attitude and sass. These pieces can be worn with ‘flower child’-inspired clothes or even with something as simple as jeans and T-shirt to make a boring daily outfit unique. A simple gold tiara would also complement traditional wear such as a sari.

Tiaras also make for excellent gifts. For all those men out there wondering what to gift your significant other, a tiara is a safe bet. Not only will you make her feel special, but it will also come in handy for her on many occasions. Tiaras are perfect accessories that can be teamed up with a range of looks. Available almost everywhere these days, this cutting-edge trend is taking the fashion world by storm.

Simplicity at its best, the tiara is here to stay.