Could someone please help me date this Hat/Headpiece?

[BreezyVintage]

Hi, I could really use some help dating this hat. I was thinking it's maybe from the 40's-50's but I'm just not sure and would LOVE another persons opinion on it. It's made entirely out of netting/mesh with a little black velvet bow at the front and is gathered in the back to form almost a fan design (see pictures). There are no tags or labels. Thank you so much for any help in advance!

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hi,

That is quite an interesting looking hat or whatever it is. Your photos are too small for us to get a really good look. Can you make them larger?

It looks like it opens up like a clamshell? Perhaps there was something inside, like flowers, etc? It looks vaguely early 1950s, but larger photos will help to determine more. Are the outer edges velvet covered wire?

Thank you for posting it.

 

[BreezyVintage]

Thank you for letting me know the pictures weren't large enough. I re-edited, and switched them out above.

Well, not exactly. It's like a normal hat the way it's shaped and formed, it's just that the whole thing is made out of delicate mesh, so it's kind of hard to see the true shape through the pictures. And no, the edges that shape and line the hat are all just what appears to be cotton or some other such fabric. It also doesn't appear to have had anything else inside of it. I think it was just a free standing piece. Also the mesh is a beautiful dark brown chocolate color, and the lining and bow are black, though in the pictures the whole hat appears to be black.

Thank you so much for your input!

 

[Pinkcoke]

I think it would have just sat over your curls, with the ruffle at the back of the neck and the two bands over the head, a bit like a rain scarf in shape. I suspect the net was black originally and has changed with time.

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

It looks like a 1960s wind bonnet.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Thank you for the larger photos and the clarification on what it is made of. I agree it is some sort of wind bonnet or simply a hair covering worn for casual visits to a Catholic church, or worn just to keep the hair in place. It may be home made or purchased at a store. It is a possibility, as Melanie said, that the black color has faded to a rich brown color. That is common with some black items.

Cute little thing!

 

[BreezyVintage]

Thank you all so much! And it really doesn't look like it faded from black to brown to me, just by the way the mesh looks, but thank you Melanie! And Suzanne, all of the wind bonnets I've seen look a little different in shape and usually have ties that go under the chin, but I'll be doing some more research just to be sure, thanks. I agree with you Barbara. I think it's was just a casual hat/hair covering, and I can't really tell whether it was bought at a store or homemade, but thanks again for your help!

I'm still wondering about the age though, but I'm leaning towards the 1950's what do you all think?

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Hi,

Yes, I think 1950's, probably mid to late 50s when ladies started teasing the hair and wearing less hats. The term wind "bonnet" is a loose one, but you are correct that a true bonnet ties under the chin.

 

[BreezyVintage]

Okay, great! Ah, I was thinking of a traditional wind bonnet. Thank you so much for clearing that up, Barbara!