Dating A Vintage Petal Hat with Flowers

[Alexis M]

Hello! I am at a loss when dating this hat. Let me apologize in advance for the poor lighting and camera angles.

The millinery flower petals are a sort of velvety type material, which remind me of the details used in 50s and 60s hats. It has a spray of tulip-type flowers on one side, and is cap shaped to fit over the crown of the head I assume. It is fully lined and hand-stitched, which also threw me off when it comes to what decade this piece came from. The label reads: Kay's, 322 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago.


Label is hand-stitched to the inside.

Inside is fully lined, but with no signs of shredding or age.


Pardon the angle and poor lighting! A side view of the flowers.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Alexis,

That is a beautiful hat, looks to be nicely made. I'll bet it looks smashing when being worn. I agree with your initial dating and think it is late 1950s to early-mid 1960s. It is likely custom made, so exact dating may be difficult to determine. Hard to be 100% sure unless I had it in person to examine, as it has a revival look to it too, but you are right that the velvet leaves and petals are similar to the 50s and 60s type.

The lining is a nice custom touch. While the majority of (non Haute Couture) hats made after the 1920s did not have linings, a custom milliner (often an older woman) who was trained in and practiced the traditional methods would still add a lovely lining to her creations. That is often referred to as a French lining and was either hand made by the milliner or her hired workers, or could be occasionally purchased pre made. It adds to the loveliness of your hat. And it covers up all the hand stitches! I also admire the way she did the edging on the bottom of the hat, very nicely finished.

I am not familiar with Kay, but she sure was a talented milliner.

Thank you for sharing it, it is really a nice hat.