Vintage Hats - 1953

A hat doesn't have to be big and boisterous to make a statement.  Just look at these examples of head-hugging caps from 1953.  The designers of these hats were able to add a lot of style by keeping the details to scale.  Notice how this type of hat looks better with a sleek hairstyle.  Also note that even though each model is wearing a hat, the emphasis remains on her face with groomed brows, heavy eyeliner, and color on the lips.

Paris Fashion - 1932

Continuing our look at fashion from the 1930s, today here are some styles from Paris for spring, 1932.  Which look is your favorite?

Marthe & Rene black wool jersey dress with white georgette sleeves.

Beret with bow by Agnes.

Marcel Rochas black wool jersey dress with large white collar.

Another hat by Agnes.

Jeanne Lanvin black wool dress and jacket with black and white checked silk.

Consider Your Hairdo When Choosing a Vintage Hat

If you like to wear vintage hats like I do, you'll want to consider how the hat looks with your hairdo.  As hat styles changed over the years, so did coiffures.  In the 40s, when victory rolls were popular, tiny "doll" hats were worn tipped to the front or the side to accent the hairstyle.  In general, hats work best with short hair or up dos.  The photos below are all from 1951 and show how hair can be styled to complement a particular hat. 

Neat curls at the top and sleek sides in a hairdo by Dimitri.  The black wool dress with asymmetric neckline is by Jacques Fath for Joseph Halpert. 

A small shallow pillbox hat by Mr. John is worn slightly tipped to the side and covers the curls at the top of the head.  Note how the short hair allows the large mantle collar of Pauline Trigere's coat to frame the face.

Here, longer hair is worn brushed back from the face and curled at ear level.  The Hadley cashmere sweater is accented with a beaded choker necklace.

A green bonnet by Chanda fits beautifully over the hairstyle and the face veil slips right over the curls.  Gray flannel suit by Alan Graham.

Medium length hair is swept to the side in a dramatic curl.  Hairdo by Enrico Caruso.  Silk dress by Claire McCardell.

This dramatic hat by Braagaard is worn tilted to the side to show off the sideswept curls.  See how that works?  Black velvet dinner dress by Maurice Rentner.

In Your 1960s Easter Bonnet

Sunday is Easter, a day when traditionally a woman would unveil her new spring hat with much fanfare. It's going to be a week of few words as we look at hats through the years. Use your imagination and make up your own story about the women who wore these hats, or about yourself having the experience of wearing one of them. Share your story in the comments if you like. Today, the 1960s, the last great decade of hats.

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

In Your 1950s Easter Bonnet

Sunday is Easter, a day when traditionally a woman would unveil her new spring hat with much fanfare. It's going to be a week of few words as we look at hats through the years. Use your imagination and make up your own story about the women who wore these hats, or about yourself having the experience of wearing one of them. Share your story in the comments if you like. Today, the 1950s.

1950

1951

1952

1953

1954

1955

1956

1957

1958

1959

In Your 1940s Easter Bonnet

Sunday is Easter, a day when traditionally a woman would unveil her new spring hat with much fanfare. It's going to be a week of few words as we look at hats through the years. Use your imagination and make up your own story about the women who wore these hats, or about yourself having the experience of wearing one of them. Share your story in the comments if you like. Today, the 1940s.

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

1947

1948

1949

In Your 1930s Easter Bonnet

Easter is coming, a day when traditionally a woman would unveil her new spring hat with much fanfare. It's going to be a week of few words as we look at hats through the years. Use your imagination and make up your own story about the women who wore these hats, or about yourself having the experience of wearing one of them. Share your story in the comments if you like. Today, the 1930s.

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939