Elegant, Practical, the London Social Scene: From Royal Ascot to Wimbledon

May 31, 2026

London has barely reached June, and already the city feels positively Mediterranean. Hats are larger, rosé is flowing earlier, and one accessory has quietly become less of a luxury and more of a necessity: the hand fan.

Not quite first on the social calendar, but it feels as though it should be: Royal Ascot, where elegance is compulsory. A fan is the perfect companion. It keeps one cool as temperatures rise, provides a convenient shield from an overenthusiastic suitor, and offers a discreet place to hide when one's chosen horse decides not to trouble the leaders. A well-timed flutter can say far more than words ever could.

Then comes Henley, where things are perhaps a touch more understated but no less stylish. Here, the fan belongs amongst linen jackets, striped blazers and long afternoons beside the river. One imagines it tucked beside a glass of Pimm's, brought into action between races and conversations.

And then there are summer weddings. Increasingly, invitations arrive with destinations attached: Mallorca, Seville, the Amalfi Coast. Wonderful for the photographs, less wonderful for guests seated in full formal attire beneath a relentless Mediterranean sun. Amidst the rush of packing dresses, jackets and dancing shoes, do not forget the most useful item of all.

The abanico has long been associated with elegance, but it possesses another virtue: common sense. Whether cooling oneself through a Spanish ceremony, navigating a crowded reception, or adding a touch of drama to the dance floor, it is both chic and surprisingly indispensable.