Archive for the ‘Hats’ Category
Featured Seller: Nicholettes
I apologize for my lengthy fashion blogging absence, but things got kind of heavy. My beloved brother Sean passed away suddenly at age 38, which is far too soon for anyone to leave, especially someone as amazing as him. When I left for D.C., and we still had hope that he would recover, I packed just enough to get me through a few days. Those days stretched into two weeks and I eventually found myself shopping for a dress to wear to his funeral.
And a vintage hat of course.
I want to express enormous gratitude to Nicholette Alexander, a wonderful seller on etsy who expedited the veiled hat below to me in D.C. so that I could have it in time for Sean’s funeral.
That said, “Nicholettes” (as she is known on etsy) is my featured seller this week. Similar to the one I purchased from her, Nicholettes has a number of stunning vintage hats (among other great vintage finds) available in her etsy shop right now, many of which come with free hat boxes! Click on each image below to see the full listing.
Vintage cocoa brown birdcage hat from Nicholettes on etsy. $25.
Vintage velveteen feathered stovepipe from Nicholettes on etsy. $45.
Vintage satin-wrapped pillbox from Nicholettes on etsy. $39.
Vintage 1960s mod hat and hat box from Nicholettes on etsy. $42.
Vintage 1960s “Jackie O” polka dot pillbox hat from Nicholettes on etsy. $42.95.
Black and red mini top hat with ostrich feathers from Nicholettes on etsy. $18.
Vintage veiled velvet pillbox hat from Nicholettes on etsy. $29.
Vintage mustard gold fedora with hat box from Nicholettes on etsy. $39.
Vintage velvety pleated cloche with free hat box from Nicholettes on etsy. $42.
Vintage 1960s so mod faux leopard fez from Nicholettes on etsy. $21.
Vintage velour tilt cap with sateen bow from Nicholettes on etsy. $75.
Spotted at Target
Spotted at Target yesterday, some decent vintage-style cloches for $16. Not bad, Target, no bad. Unfortunately, they only come in one size and my head is on the small side. But hey, it’s what’s inside that counts, yeah? If you love this style, I recently found a nice crop of them on eBay and etsy. Click here to see them all.
1940s Style: The Factory Girl to The New Look
Los Angeles Confidential Magazine recently featured a spread on an updated 1940s look for Fall, which sparked today’s post. But before we get into all of the amazing vintage pieces we found on etsy and eBay this week, we have a mini fashion history lesson.
Women joined the workforce en masse in the early 1940s as all the men went off to fight in the War. From the kitchen to the factory, from making pies to welding ships, women did it all.
During the War years (1939 – 1945), women’s apparel emphasized broad, square shoulders and a trim, fitted waist. Above the waist, tops featured rounded necklines and shorter collars. Below the waist, high waisted trousers, flared shorts and knee-length skirts. Below the knees, oxfords and pumps. Sadly, nylon stockings were rationed for parachutes.
Pictured above: Miss Anna Bland, a burner at the Richmond Shipyards, works on the S.S. George Washington Carver. Circa 1943.
Pictured above: Woman drills on Liberator Bomber, Consolidated Aircraft Corp., Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Howard R. Hollem. October 1942.
Post-War, factory girls retired their dungarees and took on a softer, more feminine look. Christian Dior’s debut haute couture collection, released in February 1947, signaled a triumphant return to glamour, with its sloping shoulders, cinched waist, accentuated bust and wide hips. Skirts were significantly longer and fuller than the War years. The stunning clothes, cut to emphasize the female form and made out of seemingly endless yards of luxurious fabric, were revolutionary. Dior’s collection was pronounced “The New Look” and made him a star.
Pictured above: A look from Christian Dior’s debut haute couture collection, 1947.
And now, here’s what we found on eBay and etsy this week. Click on each image below to see the full listing.
1940s style Ida trousers in red polyester from fortiesfrocks on etsy. $95.
Vintage 1940s hourglass skirt suit. $95 on eBay.
Vintage 1940s blue sheer nylon blouse. $82.99 on eBay.
Vintage 1940s rayon crepe beaded party dress on eBay. Buy it now for $329, or make an offer.
Vintage 1940s brown alligator pumps, size 8, from PsychicHeart on etsy. $62.
Vintage 1940s 3 piece cotton “Originals By Maison France” dress on eBay. $369.
1940s style hand-knitted hair tidy from thebritishhomefront on etsy. $8.
Vintage 1940s navy windowpane skirt suit from the New Look-era. Buy it now on eBay for $249.
Vintage 1940s cream ribbon knit dress on eBay. Buy it now for $249, or make an offer.
Vintage 1940s day dress on eBay. $150.
Vintage 1940s pumps, size 39. $90 on eBay.
Vintage 40s Betty Hartford suit on eBay. $75.
Vintage 1940s iridescent pink silk taffeta dress with fur trim from sazzvintage on etsy. $250.
Vintage 1940s Hattie Carnegie suit from Marshall Field Company. Buy it now on eBay for $284, or make an offer.
1940s repro playsuit made from vintage pattern and fabrics (you choose!) from nudeedudee on etsy. $185.
Vintage 1940s lace beaded gown. $112.50 on eBay.
Vintage 1940s purple blouse from wildfellhallvintage on etsy. $30.
Vintage 1940s WWII high waist flared shorts on eBay. $125.
Vintage 1940s chartreuse gabardine skirt suit on eBay. $349.
WWII era repro cotton day dress from timemachinevintage on etsy. Made from an orginal, vintage pattern. $115.
Marlene pants from VeconaVintage on etsy. $250.
1940s repro 3-piece playsuit from jacksdaughter on etsy. Made from a 1947 Simpicity pattern. $173.
New 1940s-inspired wool fedora, made to order by buygail on etsy. $75.
Vintage 1940s WWII wool plaid peplum dress on eBay. Current bid $9.99.
Vintage 1940s pinafore skirt with removeable straps from KookieKittie on etsy. $110.
Vintage 1940s wool fedora from wildfellhallvintage on etsy. $42.
Cashmere sweater ($1,235) and pencil skirt ($950) by Nina Ricci. Maxi leather shoes by Brian Atwood ($939). Photo courtesy of LA Confidential Magazine.
Vintage original “New Look” era 1940s Christian Dior dress on eBay. Buy it now for $795 or make an offer.
Vintage 1940s silk wiggle dress. Current bid $17.50.
Vintage 1940s bombshell dress with huge tortoise shell buttons on eBay. $108.75.
Vintage 1940s belted wool coat on eBay. $110.
Go Fetch
Red Rover, Red Rover, send some fantastic dog apparel right over. Click on each image below to see the full listing.
“The Skipper” peacoat by RoverDog on etsy. $70.
Who doesn’t want a little Yoda running around the house? Yoda hat made to order by Sweethoots on etsy. $16.
“The Rover” necktie (shirt sold separately) from RoverDog on etsy. $15.
Great Dane plaid coat from TheElegantBeast on etsy. $135.
El Mariachi. It’s a sombrero. On a chihuahua. Ahem. From ToScarboroughFair on etsy. $33.
Classic yellow rain slicker from Designed4Paws on etsy. $65.
Baby blue or pink sweater vest from dlee1009 on etsy. $87.
Mod striped rain coat from TreeParlor on etsy. $74.
Knitted sweater in mustard from mailo on etsy. $35.
Mad Men-inspired pea coat with detachable fur collar from polkadotpoodle on etsy. $375.
Mad Men Style: 1960s Fedoras
Today on This Week’s Look, we are sipping afternoon mimosas on the lanai and talking men’s hats. Specifically, vintage 1960s stingy brimmed fedoras, trilbys and Homburgs. Think Leonardo DiCaprio in “Catch Me if You Can.” Sammy and Frank vacationing in Palm Springs.
But enough about Leo, Sammy and Frank, let’s talk about my amazing Harold. He is a hat man. Correction: He is THE hat man. Among other things. And I am, of course, a hat woman, so it is only natural that I should fall in love with a man who can pull off a hat every day of the week. In fact, he is such a natural, I suspect the nurses put a wool felt fedora on him when he was born rather than one of those snuggly newborn skull caps. He is French after all, so one can never be sure what goes on over there. Harold’s hat collection isn’t necessarily staggering. That is to say, his collection will never rival mine in sheer numbers, but it is robust enough to provide a hat for just about any occasion.
Back to my original thought. 1960s trilbys. These short-brimmed hats are destined to become ubiquitous once the new season of Mad Men premieres next year, so if you’re in the market for one, I would do my shopping now before the rise in demand and prices follow. There are some amazing, original 1960s toppers out there right now, and we have selected some of the best for our readers. Click on each image below to see the full listing.
Vintage 1960’s Alexander wood tweed trilby, size 7, on eBay. Current bid $29.43.
Vintage 1960s mustard wool felt stingy brim fedora. Buy it Now for $53.85 on eBay, or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s, never worn, light blue and taupe houndstooth hat by Dobbs. Size 7 1/4 – 7 3/8. Buy it Now for $54.99 on eBay, or make an offer.
Vintage straw topper, size 7 1/8, from HartsCloset on etsy. $44.99.
Vintage 1960s fine fur or cashmere dark charcoal trilby from StyleStash on etsy, size 7 1/8. $160.
Vintage 1960s The Stetson “Playboy” in delicious fur with ridiculously cool gold ornament on the band. Size 7. Buy it Now for $132 on eBay, or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s “pocket fedora” by Knox, size 7 1/8. This dark green pocket hat is a straightforward business. Fold it up, stick it in your pocket and it will hold its shape brilliantly. Matching nylon hat band adorned with bright red feather. $79 on eBay.
Rare raw silk stingy brim fedora from NorthStarAtelier on etsy. $75.
They call this Alpine enthusiast “The Tyrolean.” Vintage 1960s brown wool felt hat made exclusively for The Swiss Cheese Shop of Monroe Wisconsin. Black silky lining and silver pendant with horsehair florette on a dark brown headband. Current bid $45 on eBay.
Vintage Pendleton virgin wool trilby, made in Portland, Oregon. Buy It Now for $26.95 on eBay.
Take the Rat Pack to Palm Springs with the top down and this vintage 1960s light blue straw fedora with striped ribbon hat band, size large. Buy it Now for $26.91 on eBay, or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s Stevens beaver blend Homburg-style hat in original box. Size 6 3/4. $59.99 on eBay.
Vintage Dobbs Fifth Avenue New York stingy brim fedora, size 7. Buy It Now on eBay for $19.99.
Vintage 1960s Churchill fedora in original box. I want to rub myself all over this unbelievable red topper. Just look at that nautical rope band. The hat is a masterpiece. Size 6 7/8. $49.99 on eBay.
Dr. Keys loved this hat so much he had his name monogrammed inside. Vintage 1960s crushable wool trilby, size 7 3/8. $25 on eBay.
Vintage black and white wool tweed trilby, made in Italy, size medium to large. Buy it Now for $24.99 on eBay, or make an offer.
Vintage 1960s Dobbs mossy green fur felt short-brimmed fedora, size 7. Buy It Now for $30 on eBay.
Vintage “Golden Coach” by Dobbs New York fedora. Rich grey fur felt, size 7 1/2. Current bid $54.99 on eBay.
Vintage “House of Tweed” wool down brim fedora, size large. Current bid $34.99 on eBay.
Vintage 1960s olive tweed trilby from VeraVague on etsy. $60.
Vintage Knox New York classic plaid trilby, size 6 3/4, with hat box from ValsVintageFinds on etsy. $48.
Vintage late 1950s to early 1960s Homburg-style hat, size 7 1/8, from RaleighVintage on etsy. $48.
Vintage 1960s plaid trilby with feather from ReverieMerchants on etsy. $40.
The Eton Crop and the Cloche
It was the 1920s. The Great War was over, women won the vote, and the music of the Jazz Age empowered us to bebop our way through a period of sustained prosperity. Of course, women still had it tough, but we were beginning to assert our independence and break free from many sartorial and social restrictions. Indeed, our fashions reflected this new-found freedom. We wore looser, shorter clothes, bobbed our hair and discovered that make up isn’t just for prostitutes.
It was also during this time that the hairstyle known as the Eton crop (the short, slicked-down cut worn by Josephine Baker) became so popular. It is said that the Eton crop emerged during this time because it was the best hairstyle to show off the trendiest hat of the era, the cloche.
A cloche is a fitted, bell-shaped hat (originally invented by milliner Caroline Reboux in 1908), typically worn very low on the forehead. This style of hat peaked in popularity in the 1920s and continued to be seen until about 1933.
These days, whether vintage or new, cloche hats continue to represent feminism, independence and the height of style. Below we have gathered a selection of vintage, new and custom made cloche-style hats found on etsy this week. Click on each image below to see the full listing.
Hand made royal blue cloche with vintage button from yellowfield7 on etsy. $380.
Hand made fedora in dusty pink and gray fur felt from TheMillineryShop on etsy. $265.
Hand made beige cloche with buttons from RetroReproHandmade on etsy. $69.
Made-to-order felt cloche (modified from vintage pattern) with bow and chains from FeltFancy on etsy. $30.95.
Vintage teal wool cloche from alleycatsvintage on etsy. $38.
Hand blocked cherry red cloche from Steambobbin on etsy. $105.
Dark gray felt cloche with feathers from ohmama on etsy. $175.
One of a kind, hand made slate and pheasant cloche from KelseyPitney on etsy. $40.
Hand blocked gold wool cloche with taffeta ribbon from neworleansmagpie on etsy. $58.
Custom made 1920s-style cloche with red wooden buckle from bonniesknitting on etsy. $85.
Vintage 1970s furry felt cloche from jackiedretroboutique on etsy. $28.
Add a pop of color to your ensemble with this vintage peacock blue felt wool cloche from misswonderful1950 on etsy. $26.
Custom made wool felt cloche with side draped pleats from LuminataCo on etsy. $125.
Vintage brushed wool cloche with wide leather band from IKAHN on etsy. $34.
Vintage mossy green brushed felt cloche from yellowfeathr on etsy. $24.
Vintage brown cloche with sleek black patent trim from SparrowGardens on etsy. $30.
Simple cream cloche with bow from BlancheandEleganza on etsy. $40.
Great Gatsby! Clementine light gray cloche with orange trim from yellowfield7 on etsy. $385.
Get This Fall Look For Less
Sure, you could max out your platinum card on this Gucci jumpsuit ($1995) and fedora ($450) on gucci.com, or you could get the same look for less than a sushi dinner. Just click your gel polished index finger on my fancy images below. Now give your personal shopper some brown sugar. Photo credit: Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello for WSJ Magazine.
Dark cherry wool felt fedora on etsy. $25.
Vintage military style jumpsuit on eBay. $36.
Camel fedora with buckle on etsy. $29.
Vintage Liz Claiborne jumpsuit on eBay. With belt. $16.
Put a feather in your cap. $9.99 for 10 feathers and hat pins. eBay.
This Week's Look 