Styled by Janet Straw Hat...

Better Dresses Vintage

Better Dresses Vintage

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Hi,

I really love this little hat. Seems it could be from anywhere between the 30s (my initial guess) and the 60s. Kind of a wide span ; ). Earlier is probably more likely, given where I got it and how it feels (old and very "fine"). But then isn't there some rule about grosgrain ribbons, and when they were first used inside a brim, and maybe it's 40s?

Experts? Some guidance?

Thanks!
 
Also, I thought that a tag should go at the back of a hat. But when I put it on the head (her name is "Cracked Betty") with the tag at back, it just didn't look right.
 
no I would have said tag at the back with the bow/fold at the front slightly to the left or right whichever way it goes, I think it needs curls under the front brim to make it look 'correct'
 
Yes, Melanie -- that's what I meant, too. But then when I put it on that way, it just looked really "off" somehow, and the shape was wrong for it to sit properly. So I put it on her head the way it looked best. I suppose the new owner can wear it however she pleases. No hard and fast rules. And yes, I can totally imagine it with the forehead curls!
 
Hats are just SO tough! It could very well BE from that era. And it also looks very much like those "slouch sportsters" that were all the rage in the mid-to-late 30s, especially if I turn it around with the tag in the bag so it dips over the eyes a bit more.

I might as well just call it "mid century" and move on. Can't spend a lifetime on a simple little hat, right? It's old. Good enough. LOL...
 
Hi,

I realize that I never answered one of your initial questions. To answer: Grosgrain ribbons were standardized for use inside of ladies hats right around 1930. No hard and fast rule on this, but you don't see hats with grosgrain ribbons around the inside circumference until 1930. By the early 1930's lining had mostly disappeared in mass manufactured hats, although small milliners still used them for custom hats. Haute Couture, of course darling, still used full linings in hats for decades after that. Ahhhhh...the French!

In the 1930's, you will find hats with partial linings, full linings and grosgrain ribbons of various widths. But by 1933 or so, it was standard for just a ribbon inside.

I hope that helped!

By the way, I think the bow goes in front, at least from what I can determine from your interior photo. I am also looking at the type of straw, which looks to be a glazed natural straw that was popular from about the late 1930s to the 1950's. Of course, a milliner would use whatever she had, regardless of when the material was made or first popular. The label looks post WWII, and the fabric used for the band and bow looks post WWII also. With the bow in front, it gives it an even more early 1950s look. The label should go directly in back when wearing it.

I do think anyone could get away with wearing this with a 1930's or 1940's outfit, regardless of when it was made.
 
Thank you, Barbara! That's exactly what I was trying to remember about the grosgrain and could not.

I would agree, without being any sort of expert on these materials, that "glazed natural straw" is correct. It just feels right ; ). And I know from life in general (i.e. mom's wisdom) that a hat tag goes at back. But... I think perhaps whoever wore this preferred the tag somewhat at the side (to make the flourish be at the side), because the shape indicates that's how it was worn. In other words, if you put it on the "right way," it looks weird. It can probably be steamed back to the original shape, if we are correct about the flourish belonging at front. But really, who cares? It's adorable in any direction, no?

On a personal note, I wouldn't wear this hat with a 30s or 40s outfit. I'd wear it with modern clothes. Unless I were attempting to recreate an authentic period look for some reason (and thus far, my film and theater roles have been rather limited, LOL), I avoid wearing too much vintage at once. I get asked "where'd you get that dress/purse/hat/etc." and people are shocked when I say, "this is vintage, from 19__." That's always a little thrill. Most people who know me, when I opened my shop, were surprised to learn how much vintage stuff I'd been wearing all along. I think it helps show people that vintage stuff can work in a modern wardrobe and you don't have to be "playing dress up." You can incorporate it into any lifestyle.

Here I am at the Symphony last Saturday, wearing a 1950s Gigi Young dress (and modern nude-tone heels from DSW) ...
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"But really, who cares? It's adorable in any direction, no?"
Click to expand...

I agree 100%! With a hat, if it looks better backwards or even upside down, go for it! I often wear my hats sideways or backwards as long as they feel comfy and look good. Oops...don't tell on me!

You look ADORABLE in that dress, by the way.
 
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