Help with Hat

jauntyrooster

jauntyrooster

Alumni
Havent done much with hats but couldn't resist this one. Have done some research and am in process of looking through a huge hat book for help but I thought I would check in here as I know there are some hat experts.

The hat seems very small - 6.5". Is it possible it was meant to sit on the top of the head rather than be pulled down? The brim in (what I assume to be the back - there is a seam) is about 2" and the brim in the front is about 4". Brim has about a 1" stablizer that runs all around and then brim is floppy. It has a wonderful, very striking, orange satiny interior. Unfortunately there is no label at all - not even a spot where it looks like one has been removed. There is not even a union label to help. The little fur balls on the side appear to be rabbit tails (poor little wabbits!) but I could be wrong of course. Am thinking material could be called velveteen???

Saw something similar in book I have that uses term "modified Pamela" - does this sound right? What about a date? It seems very 70s to me but then I also seem to remember seeing this style much earlier in period movies, etc.

That is a bow on the side - I should have fixed for pic as it is actually really cute. Sorry about multiple posts for pics...

Thank you!!!!
Maureen
 
Hi,

I do think this hat is a home made model, or perhaps a theatrical made hat. It somehow has that home made look to it. The velvet is a very heavy weight, and not what one would see used on a designer hat. Also, the brim edge is way too thick, not what most professional milliner's would choose. The brim almost looks as if there is another hat under this one? That would explain the part stiff/part floppy brim. Can we see the inside of that hat? That gives a LOT of clues. As for the small head size, who knows why...maybe made for a specific person's head, or the inner headsize started out a size 22 when they began making the hat, but was made too small by the use of the thick velvet (this is a very common mistake by novice milliners or beginning hat makers).? I would not refer to it as a Pamela. It almost looks as if someone took a fedora and used it as a base and covered it with the velveteen...strange hat! Oh, and the fur looks to be mink balls. Poor little mink! look
 
inside of hat

Very interesting - After reading your post, I spent some time feeling the hat (would have looked very weird to anyone watching! :) and I think you could be dead on about there being another hat underneath. I also am including a pic of the stitching which lends more credence to your theory.

It IS a weird hat and I love it. I wish I had a tiny baby head so I could wear it!!! :)

Thanks so much - was hoping you might chime in.

Maureen
 
Hi,

Aside from what I said above, and after seeing the close ups and the interior, I want to at least add that this person does nice hand work. The grosgrain ribbon band appears hand sewn, not done by machine. I have sewn those in by hand and it is a long job! The lining is nicely done, and looks to be a combo of hand and machine stitching. Except for the fact that they chose a non millinery fabric, that is, a heavy velveteen instead of a lightweight velvet, it is a fairly professional looking job. It has an Edwardian to late 'Teens look to it, although it is not from that time, which leads me to think it surely was made for a historical re-enactor or theatre, or a good costume event. I wonder what is under there? Anyway, too bad it is so small in size. Very sweet.
 
Okay - couldn't take it anymore. Figured since I couldn't sell as "vintage,", I had to take a peek. I was able to just cut a few stitches under the ribbon inside and get a good look. It is a stiff mesh form underneath. The form is actually quite snugly attached to the material. I attached a photo of the little tabs of meshing that have little material tabs on either side. The whole form is made of the same mesh you see in the photo. Am going to keep the hat for fun so wasn't too worried about damaging. Still wearable and could be restitched if needed.

No great little gem under there but was fun to look. Looked in yellow pages under "head shrinkers" but nothing (plenty under head shrinks!) so still cannot wear!

Thanks all!
Maureen
 
I agree with Barbara that it is a costume piece - I once made a similar hat for a production of "Amadeus", mine was much bigger (the brim was 3 feet across) but also covered in velveteen - I used a dusty pink, very light velveteen and used it over a buckram base with lots of double wiring to keep the big brim crisp. Then I added a silk striped turban and lots of big ostrich plumes - it was very dramatic, wish that I still had it!

The lining on yours looks to be modern, but it's nicely made - I would expect that it is no more than a 20 or perhaps 30 years old.

Nicole
 
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