How the fan became fashions favourite accessory

The chicest and most effective ways to stay cool in the summer heat

Yes I am unfortunately discussing the weather. However, let me explain that it is in fact very relevant to today’s post. Couture week has just wrapped and preceding was Men’s Fashion Week. Both were subjected to record breaking temperatures and sweltering heat. Many shows had to be rescheduled due to the extreme temperatures. The FROWs were putting on a brave face, trying desperately to avoid photographs being taken of them wiping their SUL (sweaty upper lip). One feels that the fashion week style was less about style and more about technical dressing. By technical I am of course talking about ensuring fabric is sweat wicking and not polyester…I am curious if this style of dressing will trickle down into the women’s shows come September.

I have a theory that the fan is the new face mask. I daren’t mention the “c” word (Covid) that all forced us into wearing masks everywhere we went. There were even fashion houses who produced custom brand masks for all attendees. I’m not sure if these were chic or tragic? But, it feels like (luckily) we have made a departure from this era, now facing a new problem: how to stay cool whilst looking chic?

I want to begin by briefly discussing the origin of the fan, believed to originate from 3000BC where the Egyptians, Chinese and Japanese sought a cooling solution. It began rigid, constructed of parchment, metal and silk. By the turn of the 20th century the handcrafted fan had lost its prestige, no longer a desired accessory. But, the fan is making its comeback and rightly so.

There were multiple sightings at Paris Couture Week of everyone from models to attendees spotted with a fan. It sort of became this badge and universal item, signifying attempts to fan off the heat. I love how each person has fully embraced the fan, some even matching them to their outfits (far right). I honestly think there is nothing more chic than holding and subsequently using a fan. After all a chic fan has to trump an Ali Express mini electric fan which I think we can all agree are the height of tackiness.

Some of my favourite fans are below. These range from an incredible Aspinal hand painted one with its own leather case to a simple but fun find from H&M. I would love to know which fan is your favourite.

The top left is a gorgeous printed fan from Victoria Beckham and incredibly affordable. I love how the wooden element is maintained. Equally amazing is this zebra fan from Eva Ventai. All of her fans are handcrafted and produced in Provence, France. She has a range of the most spectacular pieces which I have my eye on. I also love this Pucci fan with its iconic purple print, perfect for every girls Pucci summer. Finally Aspinal has this gorgeous hand painted avian fan complete with its very own leather fan case. Can you get any chicer than this?

Another fan I love is this beautiful Etsy find which is hand painted in Spain by local producers. The calla lily design would make a beautiful wedding guest accessory, paired with a matching Reformation silk dress. You can’t go wrong with a more kitsch fan like this fun graphic Kabana Shop blue fan, finished with a cord so you never lose it! H&M do an equally good colourful green and pink fan under £10 if you want something fun and cheap. Finally, this gorgeous banana yellow fan by a beautiful Indonesian brand Pubumésu who locally source and handcraft all pieces. I think this one in particular is super unique and would definitely turn heads on the front row.

---

I hope you are feeling cool, refreshed and equipped to conquer the last of the summer. As always you can shop everything mentioned here and of course follow me on Instagram here. I will be returning next week with part 2 of what Londoner’s are wearing. Until then have a great week!

Isabella xx