Race day is the perfect opportunity to frock up in Canberra, grab your girlfriends, a bottle of Chandon and don an incredible hat.

Headwear can be tricky and there is no shortage of options out there. So where do you start? Local millenary designer and race wear guru Angela Menz says to start with the basics.

“There are a few basic rules when selecting a hat. You need to take your face shape, height and build into account.”

Oblong should try wider brims to add width to the face. Avoid too much height at the crown, which will lengthen the face.

Oval faces can wear most styles of hats.

Round faces should try asymmetrical styles, or styles that add a little height at the crown.

Heart, draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones. Avoid heavy styles.

Square shaped faces can lengthen and narrow with tall and rounded crowns. Asymmetrical styles work well to soften features.

Why can Megan Gale can pull off the wide brim hat and you can’t? Angela’s rule is to judge your brim width by your height.

“If a brim is too wide, you will look like a mushroom. Upswept brims work well on shorter people while taller people can wear most shapes and widths of brims.”

Placement of your hat can also make or break your look.

“If you try on a hat and it looks funny try it in several positions on your head. A common mistake people make is to place their hat too far back on their head. Try pulling a hat more forward, or on the side of your head.”

“A hat worn on the side or an asymmetrical hat is easier to wear than a hat placed straight on the head. It is generally more flattering to your face too!”

Once you have your head around what’s right for you, it’s time to hit the shops, craft stores or phone a friend.

If you’re head piece shy, don’t fret, thanks to Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf, the head band has made a welcomed comeback and this has swept over to race wear looks.

But if you’re really looking to make an impact and be in the running for the Myer Fashions on the Field major price, a trip to Paris, try something a little left of centre, the ‘sculptural’ head piece.

Angela Menz’s very own designs are being stocked now at Carmen Steffens in the Canberra Centre.