Another wacky hat. This one without devil dust ; )...

Better Dresses Vintage

Better Dresses Vintage

Alumni
Hi,

After perusing every reference book I've got, I've come to a 1938/39 conclusion on this one. Anybody disagree? I'm no hat expert. But some of you are. So correct me, please!

Don't you love the loopy font of the Regenstein's label (upscale Atlanta department store)?

I find it rather goofy looking. Gray wool felt with greenish/brownish feathers? I like the pleats in the back of the tall crown.

Cheers! Liza

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Liza,

That's a cute one! It has to be 1940 or later, as the NY Creation label indicates a post 1940 hat. Early to mid 1940s sounds right. I also have a Regensteins "peachtree store" label hat circa early 40s and I just love it, but this is the first time I have seen another one from that time period. Mine has that same label too! Thanks for sharing.

The green feathers look like treated hackles, not sure from just a photo.
 
I agree with Barbara's WW2 dating but I wonder if it's been repurposed? The crown doesn't look very professional, I wonder if it started as one style of hat and then when fashions changed, it was updated? The stitches inside look a bit amateurish too. Personally, I really like it when fashions show signs of adaptation and it must have been particularly common during hard times like the Great Depression and WW2.
 
Liza,

Hackles are the feathers from a fowl, in millinery they are generally rooster or other common domesticated fowl. The feathers come from the neck or back area of the bird...hence the old saying "Don't get your hackles up"! When the birds get excited, etc, they raise their hackles for defense, mating, or other purposes. They are generally slender and quite glossy and can be dyed any color. They most commonly come in pads which are then overlapped and glued to a hat, or hand sewn to make shapes, hat bands, etc.

Nicole has a good eye, and it is possible the hat has been re-purposed in some way. Or, perhaps it had a lining and the liner was removed, which would explain the noticed hand stitches in the puckered crown (but this is less likely).
 
Barbara hi -- I'm familiar with the "raises my hackles" (et al) sayings. Just wasn't sure which feathers it referred to. Very interesting!! Love these tidbits of trivia. Right up my alley.

I think the stitches (one of which has snapped) serve to maintain the conical shape, sort of as an interior support system. They're way up at the top, nowhere near where you head is, as the crown is so tall.

Don't see any signs of reworking, but don't know exactly what to look for. Nicole? What are some clues?

The items from this estate were a real hodge-podge. You should have seen all the stuff I flat-out rejected due to poor storage ruining them beyond all hope). I think the people running the sale said the woman, who is very much alive, was an antiques dealer. The whole thing was a bit odd.
 
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