A follow up to Hat Etiquette for Men

I received a comment on my post about the etiquette of hat wearing by men. This man has been in the habit of wearing a hat in a Christian Church and a “friend” had sent him a link to my blog post.

First of all, I did not make up these rules and they have developed over time. Yes I know it was different way back when, when everyone wore hats. Please do not shoot the messenger. The contents of the post were drawn from a variety of sources and best efforts were used to represent the etiquette faithfully. Some customs do not really have a logical explanation especially in the context of our current environment.

It is really difficult when some religions call for men’s heads to be covered as a sign of respect (but the type of head covering may be prescribed). Other religious sects require removal of hats as a sign of respect.

In the case of the Christian religion it is my understanding that men are expected to remove their hats (except for the clergy who wear special head gear and the military on duty perhaps and perhaps police at a funeral for a slain officer). This removal of hats is considered to be a sign of respect. Please check out the discussion thread on this Christian site.

http://christianblogs.christianet.com/1192726704.htm

There is apparently some scripture based logic for this position. It is difficult to translate the customs and practices of 2,000 + years ago into today but this does not seem to stop the fundamentalists of many religious faiths who often take a literal position. I am not going to debate the merits of this but merely point out these views.

Yes practices can and do develop. I have noticed that young men are wearing hats indoors – especially entertainers – it seems to be the new cool. I actually like this as long as it is not a baseball cap. Better that than no hat at all I say!! Please Michael Moore take note and also please no wearing a baseball hat backwards.

When someone joins a church they give up some of their freedoms. If the congregation interprets custom and scripture to require removal of hats in church this is the rule. An exception might be made for medical purposes. In the final analysis one needs to observe the practices of others in the congregation. Check with your Priest or Minister to see if they are offended by men wearing hats in church.

Women are allowed generally to wear hats in Church. African American women in the USA have developed this practice into an art form – you got to love it! The Catholic Church had required head gear from the Middle Ages but no longer require women to wear hats in Church. Is a baseball cap a Church Hat? I would like to say not! I am no theologian perhaps though the religious sects may want it to be easier to join the congregation rather than be custom bound.

Please weigh in everybody and let me have your views.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Suffragettes in 1913 London

This is a great clip I came across recently. It is a demonstration for votes for women in Pre- War 1913 London England. Everybody was so well dressed and especially the big hats on women. What a contrast with today’s demonstrators! Straw boaters were very much in evidence on the men, including a very upset young boy who got caught up in the demonstration. You will notice that the women demonstrators got arrested. The women would go on hunger strike in jail and were force fed. A favorite technique would be to release the women who got ill and then when they recovered they would be re-imprisoned -- the so called Cat and Mouse Act. Women in Britain gained the vote after demonstrating their usefulness in the 1914-1918 War but only for women 30 years and older. Those 21 or older were given the vote later in the 1920s.

What a different world -- some good things and some bad things. The people in the clip have all passed away but they do not seem too different from us today going about their business. My favorite is the ladies on the Omnibuses wearing their over sized hats -- what strong hat pins they must have had! Thanks to the British Film Institute (BFI) for preserving this and other vintage film clips -- what a joy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfhm1XOdYk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfhm1XOdYk

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I am still searching the Toronto Antique Market for hatty finds, especially vintage pictures. I thought that you would be interested in these I found a couple of weeks back. Enjoy!!

Pretty Girls

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Parlor Music

In the days before radio it was common to have a piano in the Drawing Room. In  Victorian, Edwardian times and beyond into the 1920s entertainment in the Parlor was very popular. This can be seen in the photograph probably taken around the time of World War 1 or just before. It is interesting that one of the ladies is wearing a hat she is probably a visitor and it likely is not her home. The whole family would stand around the piano and sing. Parlor music sheets were as popular as CDs today. The art work on the covers was wonderful and there are many collectors today -- many are classic and suitable for framing.

This is a short video I put together with a selection of song sheet covers featuring hat wearing. The pictures are in the public domain and came from a variety of public domain sources.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcGd7Y-Ei08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcGd7Y-Ei08

If you want to see some sing of the old songs check out Arthur Askey on the UK program The Good Old Days. Check out the hats in the audience.

More information on Parlor Music

If you want to get more information on Parlor Music you should visit the Parlor Music Website.

This is a not for profit organization dedicated to the following objectives:

1. Preservation
Parlor Songs is dedicated to the acquisition and rescue of the historic musical manuscripts that are a part of the popular music scene in America. We believe that our collection of 19th and 20th century music represents a unique grouping of manuscripts that will be lost to our culture and future if not saved through physical and digital preservation.

2. Education and sharing.
Beyond the preservation of the documents, we feel it is vital to share these works of art through education and exposition. This is accomplished through articles about the music, composers, lyricists, cover artists and others who contributed to the early development of American popular music. These articles and essays also address issues of historical perspective and include publication on the World Wide Web, CD-ROM, lectures, books and other forms of information distribution.

3. Providing a forum for study and discussion.
We want to provide a forum for individuals and organizations with similar interests and purposes where they may share information, tips for aquisition, valuation, preservation techniques as well as helping to guide the standards for digital preservation.

(quote from website)

This is a fun website to visit just to look up old songs and find out more about who wrote and produced it. You will also be able to play back the songs. You can even order a reproduction copy of the music, including the cover, for a very modest charge. There is a page on the website featuring hats on song sheet covers and some interesting background on the music sheets featured in their article.

Find Ladies Hats on Song Sheet Covers on their website.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Hat wearing etiquette for women

There are a lot fewer rules for hat wearing by women than for men. See my previous post on hat wearing by men.  One thing is for sure a woman never doffs (tips) her hat to anyone. If she did this it would certainly be considered strange. Even stranger if any woman were to take off her hat like a man. Perhaps such thing can be seen in stage performances? Of course women in the military would follow the same rules regarding their “cover” as for men (or so I would imagine – can anyone be more specific here?).

The different rules for women developed in the heady days when everyone wore hats. The hats worn by women were an integral part of their outfits and were never removed. Would you ever take off your dress in public? Women would be naked without their hats. In any case removal of one’s best hat would be impracticable in most circumstances as the hat may have been fastened to the hair severely by a series of hat pins. This was certainly the case in Victorian and Edwardian times.

As women dress more in the style of men some might say they should observe rules for men, or at least some of them when wearing such hats. Such occasions would include funeral processions, the display of the Flag, Prayer (depending on the faith), and the playing of the National Anthem.

In the Middle Ages the Catholic Church ordained the wearing of headgear in Church. In those early days these hats were large and elaborate for the upper classes with large cones. It must have been difficult to see over them in Church but still no matter. From the 1960s on the practice of hat wearing in Church has waned somewhat. In Christian Churches the wearing of a proper hat is acceptable and even de rigueur for some. In the USA many African American ladies proudly wear their Church Hats.

The Village Hat Shop refers to the 1963 book by Amy Vanderbilt New Complete Book of Etiquette. Women now have the choice about whether to wear hats for outdoor parties and weddings. In houses where weddings and funerals are conducted indoors the rules are the same as for churches. (There are special rules for different religions)

Women are typically permitted to wear hats that are part of the outfit indoors. But Emily Post advised that a hat should NOT be worn with an evening dress (to me this seems more of a style point than an etiquette point – why not experiment I say). The style mavens of the 1950s and 1960s advise that daytime hats with large brims not be worn inside in the evening. Smaller brim hats should be worn if any hat is worn. Some would say that any dress hat can be worn indoors without exception. (Personally I do not look as good with a small brimmed hat). After dinner is the appropriate time to remove your hat if so inclined. A woman would not normally wear her hat in her own home even in the old days.

Wearing hats at an upscale restaurant is acceptable especially for fancy luncheons and High Teas. Indeed many ladies get together for High Teas where hat wearing is mandatory and is a fun event. Some advise that the hat should be part of your street clothes – a nice dress for example. Perhaps it is not appropriate when wearing a jogging suit or your gardening clothes – but hey some people are eccentric!

In theaters and concerts women are permitted to wear hats. Hats should be removed if they obstruct the view of another patron.

Women should remove their personal hats at work. Of course special headgear for uniforms and protection or for some theatrical performance perhaps might be worn.

There is some debate relating to the wearing of dress hats at Wedding Receptions. Here it seems that one takes the cues from the mothers of the Bride and Groom. When they remove theirs then it is OK to remove yours. If your hat encumbers the service of food take it off.

Another word about baseball caps

If a woman wears a baseball cap can it properly be considered to be a woman’s hat? It is a unisex item I think. It is believed by many that these hats should be removed on solemn occasions and always removed indoors. Some say that for women anything goes and one can wear such hats or any hats indoors. But this is a losing battle I believe the practice of baseball hat wearing has become widespread and the hats are worn every place.

Oh I forgot to mention. Whether you are a man or a woman and you hold your hat in you hand or under your arm never expose the inside lining of the hat.

My final advice use good commonsense and observe the behavior of others unless you like to be a maverick hat wearer like me.

This article has been compiled from various sources and is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. Please let me have your clarifying comments. Or perhaps you have something to add?

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Hatequette for Men

The days when every man and every woman wore a hat to go out are behind us at last for the time being. Perhaps universal hat wearing will return who knows? With universal hat wearing came a whole host of social conventions that developed over the years. These conventions developed out of politeness and respect. If you watch the old classic black and white movies as I do you can see many of the customs in action.

The first thing to note is that there are completely different rules for men and women. This post covers the rules relating to men and hat wearing.

In short the rules cover:

• When to remove your hat: and what to do with it when you remove it

• Tipping, or otherwise known as doffing, your hat

Removing Your Hat

When should men remove their hats?

As a general rule men should remove their hats when indoors, as follows (not necessarily comprehensive):

In a home (particularly in another’s home)

Indoors at work (especially in an office). This rule would not apply of course to protective headgear such as construction helmets.

At a movie or other indoor theatrical performance.

In a Christian Church (or perhaps in another place of worship depending on the rules applicable) except for the priests. There are different rules for different religions and they also relate to the type of headgear to be worn. For example, Jewish men wear a yarmulke, skull cap, as a sign of humility before God. Some Jewish  men wear the yarmulke all the time except for swimming or bathing at least.

In a court of law (wearing a hat has often been treated as a contempt of court).

In a restaurant ( sometimes it is deemed acceptable to keep a hat on while at the lunch counter of a diner or café).

When outdoors a man should remove his hat in the following circumstances:

When he is being introduced to someone.

When saying goodbye to a woman or elder (or someone of higher social status).

While talking with someone, especially a woman, an older man, or clergyman (talking man to man of same status one would generally keep the hat on – unless a woman passes by or some other event happens).

During prayer (Christian ceremony, or as another religion dictates) at an outside event.

While the National Anthem is being played or the flag is passing (this is especially true in the USA but likely true in other countries. It is good to check out local customs).

While at a funeral or in the presence of a funeral procession.

While a Catholic procession is passing where a crucifix is on display. This is an old one. In 1766 (error corrected) France a teen was sentenced to death for not removing his hat while a procession was passing. (There were other charges as well but hat wearing was specifically cited). There is no death penalty now (maybe in some countries?) but why take the risk?

When speaking to another about a virtuous woman or a dearly departed loved one (what if the woman was not virtuous I ask and how do you know?).

Sometimes when passing someone on the street who he knows, particularly a lady or a superior such as your boss (hat tipping could be used as a substitute but best be careful here)

There are exceptions to the rule of hat removal and hats can remain on in the following circumstances:

In some public buildings or public places such as railroad stations and post offices.

In the main parlor area of a saloon or general store (in Westerns you can see this hat wearing thing going on).

In the entrance halls and corridors of office buildings or hotels.

In the elevators of public or office buildings, unless a woman is present when hats are removed if it is practical – if you are carrying packages, parcels or bags and both hands are occupied you are excused).

If the man is an actor or performer and the hat is part of the costume.

There are special rules for the military as to when to remove their “cover”.

What do you do when you remove your hat?

In the old days a hat check area was big business and often it was outsourced and staffed by service companies. I have previously written about hat check girls. It was considered glamorous and not a job for men.

These days one leaves a hat in the checkroom or cloakroom. Due to labor costs these areas are often unattended. There are obvious risks even in the attended checkrooms. If you leave your smart trilby on the top rack someone might crush it with a briefcase or gym bag – ouch! Better to keep it with you unless you are certain that your prized hat will get the TLC it deserves.

So what if you have to hold your hat after temporarily removing it? There are actually rules here too. On no account should you show the inside lining of your hat. This was considered a sign of disrespect. I am not sure how this all came to pass but if anyone knows please let me know.

Doffing Your Hat

In some cases a man will tip or “doff” his hat. This can be a gentle touching of the brim or it can be gently lifting the hat off the forehead. This is a lost art I am thinking.

Some say that this doffing of the hat dates back to the medieval days when a knight would tip the visor of his helmet as a sign of respect. (Truth or Urban Legend?)

Here are some of the circumstances when a man would doff his hat:

When passing a lady you know (or someone of higher status) on the street (the hat is sometimes totally removed at the discretion of the hat wearer).

Any time that a lady who is a stranger thanks you for a service or assistance

Any time that a stranger (man or woman) shows courtesy to a woman you are accompanying, such as picking up a dropped item or opening a door.

When asking a woman or elderly man for directions.

When in close quarters with a woman stranger This includes accidental jostling or passing between people conversing. It accompanies an apology.

CAUTION
In general great care should be taken in removing your hat or tipping your hat to another man except in special circumstances discussed above. It will be taken as an insult.

Whoa all this is a lot to remember and is generally contextual to the day of widespread hat wearing . Who is not to say that modern practices cannot be developed? Some practices such as hat removal during the playing of the National Anthem would still continue. Just use commonsense and be respectful and all should fall into place.

A word about baseball caps

To some referring to baseball caps as “hats” is an insult to the whole genre of hats. Marion Horvat in her article “Getting the ball rolling on hats” says the following:

The rules of distinction were thrown out with the baseball cap. It does not lend itself to protocol. No one lifts the baseball cap to a passing lady. In fact, today the young man may well see a similar cap on the head of a passing lady. It is found today on youth in homes, classrooms, even in fine restaurants. Regardless of its other consequences, this is a breach against civility. A civilized man should avoid this mania

Others would add especially do NOT wear your baseball cap backwards.

Some celebrities have made the wearing of baseball caps as a signature – Michael Moore for example is usually seen in interviews wearing some kind of baseball cap even indoors. Just look at Michael Moore’s website!

The Horvat article is well worth looking at – - it has some great illustrations.

Oh yes I almost forgot to say never, never wear an unkempt hat that is particularly shabby that would be a real faux pas.

This article has been compiled by looking at a whole host of references. If you believe I am incorrect please let me know please also let me know if you have anything to add to the discussion. Other than the Horvat article I am particularly indebted to www.bcvc.net which had quite a comprehensive listing (the site does not seem to be currently  active). I have expanded on the references however.

Hat wearing for women will be covered in a later post.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

From Art Deco Fashions by Dover Publishing

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Hats and other headgear are essential for summer style from the Illustrated London News July 1914 from Burberrys.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

An Antique Market Find

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

San Francisco four days before the earthquake

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oubsaFBUcTc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oubsaFBUcTc

I recently came across this film clip on You Tube. It is a journey back in time when everyone wore hats. The full film is in the public domain and can be downloaded at the Internet archive. The clip was originally thought to be from 1905 but further research has shown the film clip to be from 1906 and was submitted for processing just 4 days before the earthquake.

You can see women in long dresses and big hats. Here is a world where electric streetcars (trams) co-exist with automobiles and horse drawn wagons. Traffic chaos reigns supreme here and it is a wonder that people were not run over frequently. Perhaps they were but I have no statistics. Enjoy going back and looking at the great hats. It’s a bit spooky watching it knowing that very shortly there would be a disaster. The buildings on Market Street shown in the film were completely destroyed and you can find footage of this by searching You Tube.  It is a bit similar to watching the movie Titanic at the beginning where people were having fun oblivious to that which was about to happen.

Please let me know what ladies you like best -- check out the lady ay minute 2:36 and again at minute 6:11.

There are many versions of the film clip on You Tube. The one I have embedded is my favorite but there is a more popular one with great music that has way over a million views and you can find it at the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINOxRxze9k

I am very grateful that the footage has been preserved for us to see over one hundred years later.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Happy Mothers Day

Mothers Day is celebrated in many parts of the world tomorrow May 9. For Mothers Day in the world check out this reference.

Please don’t forget Mother.

The above are two pictures from the early part of the last century. Wear a great hat and show it off with your baby.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Darla is Back

OK I am back and recovering from tax season in Canada. A lot of fun stuff to come. Here are a couple of Victorian pictures (from tin types) found at the Toronto Antique Market today. These should get us started again.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Vintage Women’s Golf wear

The image is from a postcard I obtained from the Toronto Antique Market (it dates from around 1901 or a bit later). Sadly the hat cannot really be seen but I love the attitude of the girl in a sposrt that was and still is male dominated.

Check out Fashion on the golf course from Victoriana Magazine for some more vintage golf wear eye candy.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Fashion Plates from the Victorian Period with headwear

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7wHAB7hiuE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7wHAB7hiuE

A Many Hatty Returns Video

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

A Video From Many Hatty Returns

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb4xj_1SlPw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb4xj_1SlPw

This video was constructed with public domain images from Wikimedia. The first image in the slide show is Butch Cassidy. No not the guy in the preview thumbnail LOL!

The Bowler Hat Ballet -- Mime Routine

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TWhM3bSD_k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TWhM3bSD_k

This is a great mime routine a la silent movie using a bowler hat.

Why do Bolivian Women wear Bowler Hats?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QviYJptPXEM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QviYJptPXEM

This is an excellent video on the custom of wearing Bowler Hats by Bolivian Women. The style actually changes from year to year!

Get your Cholita style hat.

Who invented the Bowler Hat?

You may wonder where the Bowler Hat was invented. Word is that it was devised in 1849 by the London hat makers Thomas and William Bowler to fulfill an order placed by the firm of hatters Lock & Co. of St James’s. Lock & Co. had been commissioned by a customer to design a close-fitting, low-crowned hat to protect his gamekeepers’ heads from low-hanging branches while on horseback. The keepers had previously worn top hats, which were easily knocked off and damaged. (From Wikipedia). The firm of Lock & Co is still in the hat business today and has been since 1676.

The reference to the bowler hat being invented 200 years ago in England is approximately correct within a few years.

Related Post

Please see my previous post about Bowler Hat Day

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Check out the wonderful large brimmed hats from Norman Hartnell in 1938

www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-7z2OiiqzA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-7z2OiiqzA

This is a video from the British Film Institute collection. The models are “ordinary” society women and not professional models. Ascot and Paris oh well and hats were absolutely essential fashion wear in 1938.

The fashions are by Norman Hartnell, designer to the Queen. You can read about Norman Hartnell here and here. Hartnell had many commissions from the Royal Family in the UK dating back to 1935. He was most well known for designing Princess Elizabeth’s (future Queen) Wedding Dress. His customers were a who’s who of the 1930s and 1940s movie stars, including Marlene Dietrich an absolute icon of mine.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Hat Check Girl Episode Two

The movies and TV

The Hat Check Girl was the girl who checked men’s hats and often did double duty as the cloakroom attendant. Your fedora was your prize possession to be placed in safe custody in a cubby hole. It was actually considered a sexy profession, one step above cigarette girl who walked around in the club scantily dressed selling cigarettes from a tray.

In the movies the hat check girl was a common foil for men to flirt with. Often they were in roles where they went from rags to riches through contact with rich men. Sometimes they were a straight person in a comedy part. The famous entrance of Mae West in a  night spot in the gangster movie Night after Night is a case in point. Mae West enters dripping with Diamonds:

Hat Check Girl Exclaims:    Goodness! What beautiful Diamonds!!

Mae West Retorts:        Goodness had nothing to do with it dearie!

Mae West stole the show from George Raft in the entire movie much to his dismay. Mae West went on to be famous for one liners.

In episode one of these hat check girl posts Charlie Chaplin had an encounter with a hat check girl and her suitors.

There were at least three movies where the hat check girl had more than a cameo role

Hat Check Girl 1932

Sally Eilers plays Gerry Marsh, a nice Brooklyn girl who has to work part time as a hat check girl to support her Mother and a ne’er do well brother. This all takes place at the Embassy Club. Gerry gets an invitation to a party where she is asked to sell liquor illegally. There are a series of unfortunate events but she meets a rich man and eventually all works out. (Hey it was the depression and people were looking for good rags to riches stories). Ginger Rogers steals the show somewhat as the best friend of the main character. This was before her leap to fame only a few years later.

The Stork Club 1945

The hat check girl at the Stork Club, played by Betty Hutton saves a millionaire from drowning. The millionaire was so grateful that he anonymously gave her a luxury apartment, money and a charge account. Then the fund begins naturally Betty’s GI boyfriend thinks there is monkey business going on.

Here is the trailer of the movie courtesy of Turner Classic Movies (how I love those black and white movies form the thirties and forties so hatty).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fClUAac4jww

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fClUAac4jww

There was talk that the then famous Stork Club had financed the production but I could find no evidence of that. In the 1980s the movie slipped into the Public Domain and has become a favorite late night classic movie. You can download the movie or just watch it for free on the Internet Archive site. It’s a cute movie but dated, the quality of the production is not good. It needs someone to lovingly restore it.

There’s no business like show business 1954

This was a poorly written movie musical that lost money but got a lot of attention. One of the stars was Marilyn Monroe who we see first at the 30 minute mark. She is a show business singer who is working as a hat check girl waiting for her lucky break. I just loved her French Maid hat check outfit – great for Halloween.

On TV

There was a show called What’s my Line? This show ran from 1950 to 1968 and in a revival again until 1975. There were other versions that appeared in other countries. The main object of the show was for a panel of celebrities (mostly the B list) who would try to guess a contestant’s job or profession. This was done through yes or no questions. Ten nos and the contestant won. On the very first show the first contestant was Hat Check Girl Pat Finch. The panel guessed before the ten nos but Pat won $25 for her trouble. Wow that’s 100 tips! You can search You Tube where there are some uploads of this episode but I am not sure how authorized they are so I will leave that up to you.

Please let me know of any other hat check girl movies.

More on in the Hat Check Girl Episode three.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

On hats by Stephen Jones

On Location: An interview with Stephen Jones from Victoria and Albert Museum on Vimeo.

Please click on the links and explore the other videos posted by the V&A about the hat exhibit last lear.

Hats an Anthology is coming to Australia at the Queensland Art Gallery in cooperation with the Victoria and Albert Gallery. More than 250 hats will be on display from the V&A collection and the Stephen Jones Archive.

According to the Gallery

The exhibition includes historical items and iconic hats, such as a twelfth-century Egyptian fez, a wide-brimmed black silk tulle hat from Christian Dior’s first collection in 1948, Mary Quant’s c.1968 navy blue beret, and Stephen Jones’s ‘Wash n’ Go’ hat, moulded from clear plastic to resemble a splash of water, from Spring Summer 1993.

It also features hats worn by historical and cultural icons: Elsa Schiaparelli’s black felt beret worn by Marlene Dietrich in Witness for the Prosecution in 1957; Philip Treacy’s bridal headpiece created for Camilla Parker-Bowles’s marriage to the Prince of Wales in 2005; and Jones’s own creations, such as Mick Jagger’s hat worn for the Rolling Stones’ A Bigger Bang World Tour and Kylie Minogue’s visor headdress for her Showgirl tour.

The exhibition is a follow on from the successful exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum last year (see video above)

Thanks to Hat Life for this lead. I am an affiliate please get your Directory now.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

1891 the people are well dressed but the landscape is getting ugly

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

A Love Story featuring two hats

Johnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet is a Walt Disney Cartoon about two hats that fall in love in the window of a department store. It’s all set in the 1890s or early twentieth century. They dream of a hat box made for two and promise lifelong love.

Disaster strikes when Alice is bought for $23.94 (quite a lot of money circa 1900).

Johnnie becomes “gay” once more when he is bought (price unknown). When he is out he looks for Alice far and wide and briefly encounters her singing their song.

One day Johnnie is lost by his owner and gets into some seedy adventures. At one point he is picked up by a shady character and worn during a brawl in a bar. At this point he is desperately seeking Alice and goes back to the old department store haunt. Then ……………….

hey, nonny, nonny, a nice man found Johnnie
And he cut him to fit on his horse’s ears
‘Twas done without malice
For beside him was Alice
And they lived on for years and years

The moral of the story:

You Johnnie Fedoras, you Alice Bluebonnets
Whenever you find yourself blue
You’ll find it’s June in December
If you just remember that true love will come smiling through

Hats on horses were popular at one time here is a picture of one (you can buy reproductions of it on my Cafe Press store)

There are a number of bootleg posts of this cartoon on You Tube (apparently without sanction from Disney). You can get your own copy of the cartoon in the Make Mine Music 1946 movie and reissued in 1954 (it’s on DVD and a great item for kids today although a bit dated perhaps?). There were some very cute cartoons in this compilation.

The song was written by Ray Gilbert and Allie Wribel (copyright MCA). You can find the lyrics here.

The song was sung by the Andrews sisters in the Cartoon, they were very popular then. You can download the song from iTunes as well as a couple of other versions.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Charlie’s Recreation
Starring Charlie Chaplin
From the Internet Archive and in the Public Domain from 1914

If the movie does not play please click here for the link to the movie.

Charlie is asked to check his hat and the fun begins. Did you catch the lovely Edwardian hats on the ladies?

More Hat Check Girl discussion to follow in a series of posts about the hat check girl.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0QkJNqYpFM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0QkJNqYpFM

This video comes from the British Film Institute Channel on you Tube.

You can watch over 1200 other complete films and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive free of charge at the new BFI Mediatheque -- http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque

Personally I get chills watching these BFI videos and want to be transported for a visit back in time to see the lovely hat wearing in person. Only for a visit though I could not live with the lack of rights for women such as the inability to vote!! There is a bit in here about Boer War veterans.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Check out the Headwear Association (THA)

The Headwear Association in the USA is located in New York City and has been around since 1908, over one hundred years. Originally it was an industry fraternity association but the objectives have been broadened.

The mission today is to promote hat wearing and the headwear industry throughout the world and foster goodwill and fellowship among those engaged in the headwear industry.

Each year THA has a dinner that all can attend. The dinner is a great way to meet and greet your headwear comrades and learn some new things. .. everyone will be there – retailers, wholesalers, hat lovers, hat makers and anyone else who enjoys hat talk. It will be held in New York City this year on March 18.

There will be an awards ceremony,  Annual Hat Retailer of the Year will go to Martin Mann of Hats Plus in Chicago and the Ben Rosenthal Award will be awarded to S. H. Baik of Young An. The outgoing president of the THA, David Goldman will also be honored.

Recently THA started a Headwear Hall of Fame™ to recognize the positive influence of famous hat wearers – who routinely wear (wore)a hat in their daily life for fashion, fun or function (not in a role or performance). This year Brad Pitt was singled out as Hat Person of the Year. The inductees were Humphrey Bogart, Brad Pitt, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Jessica Parker, Audrey Hepburn, and Jennifer Lopez. More people will be added each year.

The Association is a leader in the promotion of hat wearing to protect against the harmful effects of the sun. THA also has Charity Event to distribute hats for the homeless. Last year 6,000 cold weather hats were donated.

An individual can join the Association for an annual fee of $25.

Read more about The Headwear Association on their website.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

A Cartoon from 1891

The lady’s hat was well pinned. The men’s top hat travelled and the man ended up wearing the lady’s muff.

All in all quite a hat trick!!

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Hold on to your Hat

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Eye Candy Wedding Photos for Valentines Day

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I recently obtained a number of magazines from 1891 and I will be posting materials from these as inspiration to us all.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Bowler Hat Day in the City of London England is February 11, 2010

Bowler Hat Day in the City of London celebrates the age old tradition of white collar workers wearing a Bowler in the City. There are still Bowler Hat wearers today but I do not believe that the practice is as prevalent as it used to be. It was the custom for even lower level workers to wear bowler hats even if there was only a packed lunch and newspaper in the briefcase. It was a kind of uniform. (The man in the picture seems to have left his briefcase at the office? Perhaps one takes a laptop computer there now – to play games over lunch perhaps? But I digress. Of course they are all hard working men.)

Bowler Hat Day is organised to raise money for SOS Children’s Villages, who care for orphaned children, during World Orphan Week. The focus this year is of course the dreadful situation in Haiti but even under “usual” circumstances the Charity notes that
Every 2.2 seconds a child loses a parent.

So what happens on Bowler Hat Day? Felt and Plastic Bowler hats are offered for sale with proceeds going to the charity. You can also buy a pin if you wish. The festivities take place in Leadenhall Market in the City. This year the a choral sensation Eschoir will be performing along with a great jazz band and everybody will be having fun with plenty of games and activities. There are a number of other events also. For more information please visit the Bowler Hat Day website. Sounds like a fun event if you are in the City of London on February 11. And such a good cause too – you can of course donate even if you are unable to get to the City of London.

You may wonder where the Bowler Hat was invented. Word is that it was devised in 1849 by the London hat makers Thomas and William Bowler to fulfill an order placed by the firm of hatters Lock & Co. of St James’s. Lock & Co. had been commissioned by a customer to design a close-fitting, low-crowned hat to protect his gamekeepers’ heads from low-hanging branches while on horseback. The keepers had previously worn top hats, which were easily knocked off and damaged. (From Wikipedia). The firm of Lock & Co is still in the hat business today and has been since 1676.

(Props to How2Hats for the lead on this story)

Image Credit

From Wikimedia Commons

under GNU Free Documentation Licence – with attribution

Photographer Fredrik Tersmeden

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I want to run a series of blog posts about religious headcoverings. This could be approached by my doing the research and writing and finding suitable illustrations. If I did this I would not be comprehensive enough likely and I would certainly be missing the soul and passion about the particular headcovering.

I want to cover the major religions and various sects. What do the clerics wear and what do the followers of the religion or sect wear? I would need to know the history of the particular headgear and if it was associated with a particular historical individual.

Could you provide me with some thoughts on this, including some contacts who might be willing to contribute a guest article? There is no pay – just exposure and understanding. Anything I can do to foster understanding among religious groups would be a joy to me. I want to make it informative and respectful.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

With the popularity of the recent Sherlock Holmes movie and Robert Downey Jr winning a Golden Globe it would be interesting I thought to take a look at the hats supposedly worn by the fictional characters Holmes and Watson. Sherlock Holmes is frequently portrayed wearing a Deerstalker Hat (seen in the accompanying illustration). It’s a kind of country gentlemen’s hat with two flaps at the side. Watson, a doctor by profession is often portrayed in a bowler hat, quite common in the late Victorian period. Both Holmes and Watson wore top hats of course when out to the theatre.

Did you know that there is actually a Sherlock Holmes Museum actually located at 221b Baker Street, the fictional location of the rooms occupied by Holmes. I thought it would be fun to do a quick video tour of the website and the hats available at the museum store.

I have embedded the review below:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dteAC2EYPCY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dteAC2EYPCY

You can view the trailer for the Sherlock Holmes movie on you tube at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQbmFAE5WI”

In the trailer the Holmes character played by Downey wears a kind of nondescript hat. Does anyone have a description other than “appears unkempt”? Did Downey’s hat get any respect? I plan on seeing the movie soon.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

From the Illustrated London News March 15 1902

It is wonderful how men dressed up in their top hats to go to the theatre. The Commissionaire was also finely dressed in a quasi military outfit complete with peaked cap. The man was not embarrassed that his “little friend” was a

cigarette !

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Get your (vintage) hat on for National Hat Day

(By Norma Shephard the Hat Lady)

Norma has an extensive hat collection that she shares with the world. She maintains the mobile millinery museum and costume archive. Thank you Norma for this lovely post.

If there’s anything better for the winter blahs than a new hat, it’s a new-to-you vintage chapeau. And what better way to spend National Hat Day (Jan 15th) than browsing flea markets, thrift stores, and antique stalls for that perfect, albeit dusty perhaps, millinery specimen.

Whether you’re looking for something to wear —– the sky is the limit here, just look at all of the wild and crazy new hats people are sporting these days—or a collectible with designer caché, your search will be worth the effort. While second hand shops may not be exactly brimming with old hats, there are bound to be some interesting toppers stacked, tucked, or stashed in a corner somewhere. Be sure to use your imagination when flipping through these piles. A discarded hat that needs steaming or blocking, may not at first give away its Old Hollywood charm or 1960s chic, so try to imagine the piece in its former glory.

And whether your taste for texture runs to soft and sturdy beaver felt, or rough, nubby straw, enjoy the look and feel of materials that were used to produce the millinery treasures of long ago. Linger over the labels as well, enjoying the period graphics. Examine them closely for clues as to the history of the hats.  Is the piece in your hand a Paris Original?  Does the label bear the maker’s address or contact information? Some can be found with 5-digit phone numbers. Others have managed to retain their price tag and/or original hatbox.

If you are blessed with any psychic abilities, try to discern what type of person owned the hat. Where did she go in it? What did she wear it with? You’ll soon find yourself buried in nostalgia.

Most importantly, buy the hat. Bring it home, wear it, display it on your bureau, or in some way pay tribute to the imaginative and skilled milliners of long ago. That’s what National Hat Day is for.

Lastly, if you’re in the area on January 15th, I invite you to attend my Open House Millinery Exhibit  from 2 – 4 P.M. at Heritage Place, 4151 Kilmer Drive, Burlington, Ontario. This is a free event with ample free parking. Happy Hat Day,

Norma Shephard
www.thehatmuseum.org
nshephard@cogeco.ca

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_gL3Fjx-ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_gL3Fjx-ws

A video remembering top hats and the men who wore them. There are several images from my personal collection and some other whimsical stuff.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Picture Illustrated London News April 25, 1863

Exhibition of Royal Wedding Presents at the South Kensington Museum

I am working on a slide show video with all top hats. This will be a part of it. Coming soon please stay tuned!!

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Picture is a hat shop from 1822.

Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans do not forget to support your local hat shop while shopping.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5TAbNR6xKM

This video was discovered by You Tube user Nick Wallace Smith.

http://www.youtube.com/user/nickwallacesmith

Thanks to Nick for finding this and for his creative adding of very appropriate Elgar music.

The first sequence shows her in a carriage at Balmoral in 1896 Was the highlander the famous John Brown her favorite servant. One of the commenters on the video noted that the couple alongside the carriage may be the famous Nicholas and Alexandra the last czar of Russia and his famous wife. There was no documentation one way or the other.

The second shows the Queen riding down Pall Mall in a carriage in the Jubilee celebrations in 1897.

Please visit Nick’s You Tube site for more information and take a look at the comments on the video also.

The hats are great aren’t they? I wish I could take a trip in a time machine and take a closer look in colour.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I recently found this lovely picture on a Cabinet Card. She appears to be with child. From the clothing and hat style the picture is from the late Victorian period I believe. It could also be from the early Edwardian period also. In any case it is very unusual to find a picture of a woman with child from this period. It would not have been considered appropriate in many circles. I would be interested in your comments on this photograph and any observations relative to the dress and the hat in particular.

The large feather is quite a statement is it not?

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

This is a picture of a World War 1 Soldier from France. He is wearing the familiar Kepi Hat that some French Soldiers wore. If you look closely at the picture you will notice that this man is wearing the croix de guerre medal for distinguished service. The cord on his shoulder is the Fourragére an award given to fighting units.

The French fourragére may be awarded by the French government if a unit was cited twice in the dispatches. Award of the fourragére is not automatic and requires a specific decree of the French government. The fourragére is the same colours as the ribbon for the Croix de Guerre. If a unit is cited four times, the fourragére colours are changed to that of the French Medaille Militaire instead of the Croix de Guerre.

I am obliged to the 64 Baker St website for this information quoted above.

You can find information about World War 1 French uniforms in this article.

The croix de guerre was awarded in both France and Belgium. This is a French soldier I believe since there is a stamp from a Paris photographer on the back. Marked on the back is “a picture of father (papa)” in French.

We will remember them – all fallen soldiers and veterans of all generations from every country.

UPDATE

In Flanders Fields Poem

By Lt Colonel John McCrae (Canadian)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

The Queen Mother’s Wedding Day in 1923

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvglWKl6b1A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvglWKl6b1A

This video is from the Official Royal Channel on You Tube a great reference for fans of the British Royals.

Notice all the hats in the crowd. My favorite was the cocked hats on the coachmen.

She did not know at the time that she would become the first lady in the land and lived through the Second World War. The Germans knew her as the most dangerous woman in Europe. A very gracious lady.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Did you know that putting your hat on your bed may be unlucky?

Perhaps you are not superstitious? You don’t sweat over walking under a ladder. You are not in the least worried if a black cat walks in front of you. There is no stress if you break your mirror. Further you certainly don’t believe that touching or even kissing a frog will give you warts.

On the other hand even if you don’t believe in any of this stuff you avoid doing it anyway in case there IS something to it. (Something like reading your horoscope in the daily newspaper).

I was wondering why I am having no luck these days. Perhaps I can win the lottery if I only kept my hats off my bed. I confess that there have been many hats on my bed. Should I stop or maybe I have garnered enough bad luck to last three life times? Enough already!!!

When hat wearing was common there were many references to this superstition. I see it all the time in the vintage movies I watch. I am addicted to the old movies and the lovely hats in them.

So, is there any factual basis for this bad luck prognosis? Like all these things there is little documentation of beliefs that are handed down over the generations.

A couple of suggested explanations:

• In the old days people did not wash as much as they do today. Lice in the hair was a huge problem. The lice would go from hair to hat in no time flat. When you put your hat on the bed the lice would jump on to the bed as you will have shaken them loose. My question is when you take your hat off and lie down on the bed the lice would jump on the pillow in any event – yuck!!!
• The supernatural brings another explanation. It was believed that evil spirits lived in the hair (not surprising since there were a lot of living creatures there!). You can transfer the evil spirits from hair to hat and then to bed. All kinds of nasty spirits would get you at night!! The myth got magnified if some warm dry night you throw your hat on the bed and there are sparks from static electricity – the devil at work no less. You could go to hell for less sorcery. It is really really unlucky to throw your hat on the bed for this reason. I think it is really unlucky to throw your best fashion hat anywhere!!

Some valid questions were raised at this blog post about Italian superstitions. How is this hat on the bed rule to be applied?

• Can one throw all one’s clothing on the bed except the hat?
• If I hang the hat on a bed post does that count?
• What if the hat rests on top of something in actual contact with the bed?
• What if the hat is inside something else in contact with the bed – a coat for example?
• Are all hats dangerous when on a bed or is it just brimmed hats?

Good questions – do our readers have more questions?

As I mentioned before there are references to this superstition in the popular culture. Please read the blog post on this at the Village Hat Shop.

The movie Drugstore Cowboy is one such reference in relatively recent times. I have not seen the movie and it is not one I really feel the urge to watch. The main character was obsessed by the superstition that it may have led to murder. All this craziness came from a botched drug heist where one of the gang put her hat on the bed. Read more ….

Well what does everyone think of this? Do you have any bad experiences from leaving your hat on the bed? Perhaps one drunken night you left your best high fashion hat on the bed and then accidently laid down on it – an ouch moment!

Props also to this reference about superstitions.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE:

The Ladies Home Journal January 1918

This is an illustration of how the same pattern can be used in dress styles for all occasions. Given this was the wartime period one might make one base dress with different styles to save material.

Wearing different hats with different hair styles sure made a difference. The style here are more restrained than in the pre War Edwardian period.

The January 1918 issue was interesting to read since it was apparent that everyone was suffering from war fatigue. People had no way of knowing the Great War would end in November 1918.

From the front cover

NOTICE TO READER

When you finish reading this maagazine place a US 1 cent stamp on this notice, hand to any US postal employee and it will be placed in the hands of our soldiers or sailors on the front. No wrapping – No address.

A.S. Burleson

Postmaster General

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Source:

The combined Magazine THE DESIGNER and THE WOMAN’s MAGAZINE October 1920.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Source:

The combined Magazine THE DESIGNER and THE WOMAN’s MAGAZINE October 1920.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

These are two 19th century engravings featuring the wearing of the tricorn hat by gentlemen and soldiers in the eighteenth century. The name relates to the three corners in the hat design (tri = 3). Interestingly the design provides a sort of gutter for the rain to run away from the wearer. It’s a wide brim hat often worn with the point to the front. The crown is low and barely visible. Tricorns survive today as part of the dress uniform of the Chelsea Pensioners in the UK. The Tricorn evolved into the Bicorn (e) the two pointed hat.

I was recently watching Turner Classic Movies and came across the 1935 version of Mutiny on the Bounty. Charles Laughton makes a gift of one of his Tricorn Hats to the native King of Tahiti. Apparently, Captain Cook had promised a visit by King George or a fancy hat. King George presented his “regrets”- oh yeah! Captain Bligh had to pay up the promised hat out of his own pocket (or off his head) – nice plot story and a sort of poetic justice. I doubt that this was historically true. It made for some visual amusement and it was a very handsome hat I must say.

You can still get your very own Tricorn Hat if you need one for a historical play or re-enactment or just for Halloween perhaps. Here’s a site selling some upscale leather replicas.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz3A4J3c4ro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz3A4J3c4ro

These are wonderdul hats by Darna of www.eastangelharbor.com

Check out these Victorian and Edwardian hats and enjoy!!

I plan to return to this site at a future time and do a review.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

This is a 1920 advertisement for the famous store Bonwit Teller & Co. It was upscale and frequented by celebrities. In this advertisement they are offering replicas (points of origin are the only points of differentiation apparently) of Paris hat designs. It is doubtful that one could copy designs now in the same manner due to current international copyright laws. Well this is now that was then. (Caution I am not a lawyer and have no ambitions in that direction please do not take this as legal advice, or commentary, or opinion, common sense definitely applies however).  I just admire the design in the picture. A voyage on an ocean liner was expensive in time and money even for the wealthy who were the Bonwit Teller clients.

Apparently Ostrich Feathers were still in vogue in the early 1920s. The folks at PETA and many others would grimace at the fur stole being worn. You can still have the look with the faux fur we have now. I personally prefer no heads tails or legs in my fur garments.

Some quick facts about Bonwit Teller & Co

The store was opened by Paul Bonwit in 1895

In the 1980s the company’s flagship location (referred to in the advertisement) was sold and became the original Trump Tower

The company’s logo was the Primrose

The chain is currently out of active business notwithstanding the attempts at revival during the 1990s

The brand name is currently owned by River West Brands who announced a revival of the Bonwit  Teller & Co Brand last year. There has been no corporate announcement that I can find since then. (Check out the other brands they own, including Coleco – I loved my Colecovision game – oh it belonged to my children). Frankly I have heard so much about the heyday of Bonwit Teller I cannot wait until the reincarnation although I suspect this may have to be after our current financial crisis. I was not able to get any confirmation as to timing.

Source in part from this page.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

An Antique Market Find.

The caption on this photograph says:

Mother with no wrinkles 20 ish

It is a photo postcard popular around 1918 to the 1920s. (The original is quite brownish and does not have the feel of a 1930s piece). Mother would have been born around the turn of the century. A delightful hat and a great image. Does anyone have any further thoughts on the age of the photo and the hat style?

Is this your Mother or Grandmother?

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3Cke2wm6T8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3Cke2wm6T8

This is a public domain film about the 1939 New York World’s Fair produced by Westinghouse. It is part documentary about the fair and part shameless promotion for Westinghouse. The entire film is worth viewing -- about the hopes for the future after the Depression. Technology was the big hope. There was a great worry about jobs especially for young people. You can view the entire production about the Fair Visit by the Middleton Family at this link.

The clip is about the time capsule that was put into the ground in 1938 not to be opened until 6939.

The last item to be placed on top of the capsule was a lady’s hat -- the reaction in the clip:

A lady’s hat will reveal a lot about us to future scientists

Yes they will think we are nuts!

How we have changed in Society in 70 years. If you are doing a time capsule in 2009 would a lady’s hat be featured so prominently? It does not seem likely. Technology has changed so rapidly since 1938 and so has fashion. 70 years is a drop in the bucket compared with the 5,000 year time period. Perhaps we need to leave a trail of several capsules so that future generations could follow our progress. In fact Westinghouse did bury yet another time capsule in 1965. It’s hard to keep pace isn’t it. (Let’s hope that in future both men’s and women’s hats will be at the top of the list to be put into time capsules!)

You can read about the time capsules here.

Quick Facts

The hat in the time capsule was the 1938 Autumn style designed by Lilly Dache.

You can see a representation of the display case here.

Westinghouse was the first to invent the term “Time capsule” for the burial of stuff for future generations to find. (What’s the future? Perhaps we will have virtual time capsules -- computer generated?)

The capsule is made of Cupalloy -- 99.4% copper, 0.5% chromium, 0.1% silver. Great care was taken in sealing the inner contents and the choice of items. It was flushed with nitrogen gas to prevent oxidation -- could be a problem with the microfilm in the capsule I would think?

You can find the current location of the capsules from both World’s Fairs marked by an unpretentious granite marker at Flushing Meadows Park in New York City. It has been the target of graffiti and looks very untended in the photo in this article.

Climate Change may affect whether the capsules will be easily found in 5000 years. They are neglected now already. What happens if they are underwater -- a scary scenario indeed?

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjsfwWZ6thE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjsfwWZ6thE

This is a video clip from 1909 made by D. W. Griffith showing the stresses in the movie theatre of sitting behind women wearing the oversize hats of the period -- its really funny. Check out the You Tube link and read more information there.

If you like this please check out my earlier post on the same subject.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Joan Crawford would be proud

Check out Joan Crawford

Check out the Dolce & Gabbana latest runway collection shown on Vogue TV – just click and watch on the link below.

http://www.vogue.tv/#Watch/Video_Player/5/341

It’s really an entertaining and imaginative presentation – fur (faux I imagine) – is back together with our favorite hats that remind me of hats I have seen in the 1930s classic movies. But wait, what are the Mutton Chop (exaggerated) sleeves reminiscent of the 1890s (they were gay you know but not that way)? The platform shoes seem kinda like an Austin Powers movie. All in all great spirit – the hats make the day. I’m just having fun and love it guys – really.

Let me know your impressions of this collection by commenting on this post.

By the way please visit the Dolce & Gabbana website for more eye candy – they even have an iPhone Application.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I recently posted an item about Pirate Day. The Character was wearing a Bicorn Hat (sometimes known as a Bicorne Hat). The picture above is a late 19th century engraving of Frederick the Great in the 18th century riding his wonderful horse. It is the original design (I guess you might call it bicorne classic) with a very large brim turned up and pinned at the side front.

This two cornered hat was worn in the eighteenth century, mainly by the military – army and navy officers but also others like pirate captains! It was developed from the well known tricorn hat that you would have seen worn by the American colonists in the War of Independence. The tricorne is a three cornered hat which was actually worn by some into the 19th century. You will notice that the bicorne hat is worn side to side in the picture shown. There is another variant of this type of hat known as the Cocked Hat where a similar hat is worn from to back to front rather than side by side. You may have seen pictures of British naval Officers from the 18th century wearing hats that way.

As you may be aware there were some pretty large wigs being worn in the 18th century and hats were a problem. The bicorn hat was designed to be tucked under the arm when not worn. Indeed, given the wig wearing of the age there was a version of the hat just designed to be carried under the arm and not actually worn. A bicorne of this type was sometimes known as a chapeau-bras or chapeau-de-bras.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wHHzBHv9pk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wHHzBHv9pk

This is a fashion video from the VICAT channel on You Tube.

Please go over there and look at their other wonderful fashion videos both vintage and current -- you will not be disappointed.

VIDCAT is a New York based Video Producer and Director specializing in fashion and beauty videos.

You can buy fashion videos and watch more videos on www.vidcat.tv and www.vidcat.com.

Happening in Toronto C 1964 …….

1960s hat style

This is a scene from 1964 Toronto. Ladies having tea or maybe lunch in the dining room of the old EATON’s store. That store is no longer standing and has been replaced by a shopping mall -- the Toronto Eaton Centre.

Please note the wearing of fashionable hats was common place!

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

This is a wonderful picture of an Edwardian Hat. I recently acquired this lovely picture. It is truly an inspiration.

My apologies for the unscheduled break in posting here. I’m back and there is a lot of very exciting stuff coming up including another Milliner interview – this time with Milliner Lisa Battaglia. To be posted very very soon.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Question for readers – what is the type of hat being worn by the two Pirates? (Hints it’s from the 18th century classic pirate era + hope you don’t think it’s too corny)

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Drawing Hats

I am experimenting with a feature where I draw hats of various kinds on the screen. My first experimentation is probably going to be the drawing of a cowboy hat (stay tuned). I am certainly not an artist although I did do a course on watercolours a couple of years ago. Well time for a Google search to see if I can get help from some real artists …..

I found a very interesting blog post about how to draw a Fedora Hat – particularly the kind of Fedora that was popular in the 1930s and 40s (as worn by Nick Charles in The Thin Man for example). You can find the post here on the blog Cartoon Snap by Sherm Cohen. Sherm is a Cartoonist who is resident in Los Angeles and has worked on the Ren and Stimpy Show ,  SpongeBobSquarePants , Phineas and Ferband other projects. According to Sherm’s bio he is currently working as Director and Storyboard Supervisor on Kick Buttowski, a forthcoming series for Disney TV Animation. His newest book, Cartooning: Character Design is published by Walter Foster Publications.

Sherm found 2 vintage references on drawing fedoras ( a task he has to do on a regular basis apparently) and these references are scanned and reproduced for our personal use. There were some great tips there. Here are some of the tips:

• Draw the Hat as if it fits over the skull not the hair remembering that the hat does not touch the skull in some parts of many designs.
• The taper of the Crown needs particular attention as a design feature.
• The hat should not be shown high on the head but almost touching one of the eyebrows (in measuring the circumference of the head for a hat one needs to remember this fact)

Please check out the post and Sherm’s blog.

Sherm also cites the Fedora Lounge on how various creases are put into the hats to change the style. One must pay a lot of attention to these style features when drawing hats – they change everything.

Please let me know if you find other references on drawing hats. I’m still looking. I think cartooning hats places some discipline on one since it forces an attention to the key design features.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Check out the pictures of First Ladies of the USA signature styles. In many of the pictures the First Ladies can be seen wearing hats. My favorite is the big feather hat worn by Eleanor Roosevelt. Mrs Roosevelt was quite a character and had a long public service career right up to 1962 when she passed away.

http://www.life.com/image/50472360/in-gallery/25671/first-ladies-signature-styles

Now let’s work on Michelle Obama

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

This is a recent acquisition to my Vintage photo collection focusing on hats. From the clothing it is late Victorian. It’s bonnet inspired although it is not like the Regency Bonnets of around 1840 – enjoy!!

It’s sheer elegance!!

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

The business of Millinery in Victorian times

A few months ago I was browsing around the Toronto Antique Market and I came across an 1895 bound volume of the Girl’s Own Paper a now defunct magazine. It is chock full of very interesting articles advising young women and girls on various girl stuff. You know the type of thing – how to dress properly and mind your manners. There was an article by a man who essentially felt that women should not bother their heads with politics. At the time women did not have the vote but votes for women was a movement that was gaining some traction around that time. I was able to buy the bound volume for the really low price of $20 Canadian and it is proving to be a valuable source of material. As you probably know Millinery was big business at that time and there are many articles on hat styles and the hat business. There are also some lovely engravings illustrating the styles of hat then current.

I thought that you would enjoy extracts from this publication (essentially I believe that it is out of copyright at least in North America from my research – let me know if I am mistaken).(I am not a lawyer please check your local copyright laws they differ by country). Rather than put it all in a written piece I will be selecting some extracts to include in a Podcast. I believe that it is a valuable insight from the past.

The following is an article ( no author identified) on how four Milliners set up a Millinery Business in London England in 1895.

Please right click here to download the mp3

Notes from the broadcast

It is very interesting to see the observations about the need to have money savvy  not just millinery skills. This was a point brought up by Lisa Shaub in part 1 of my interview with her. Another point made in this article is that it takes seven years to become a skilled Milliner – the same point was also made by Lisa. Somethings never change 114 years on wow.

There is a comment that one of the young women volunteered that it would take 1,000 pounds sterling in 1895 to set up a proper Millinery business. This would have been equivalent to $5,000 American Dollars at the time. I was surprised how much this was. If you want to get a sense for the equivalent value today you can go to Measuringworth.com. You will find the answer there and you will be astounded. If you just use the index of retail prices from 1895 to 2008 you will find the equivalent value of over 86,000 pounds. Using an index related to average wage comparisons you get to an astounding value of nearly 481,000 pounds. Well designer Millinery was highly prized at that time but still?

By the way the article stated that the business was named after a flower but I could not find the name of the flower/business anywhere in the article – lost in time?

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

This is a fun photograph it seems to be a group having fun after a Cricket Match (Game). This is another of my recent acquisitions. It looks like it is late Victorian (in the 1890s) based on the look of the women’s dresses and size of their hats. The photograph seems to be from the Victorian period – it is a Cabinet Card that has started to yellow – another clue. It’s all totally crazy – the score card numbers are everywhere and I don’t know what the significance of who has what number – an in joke perhaps?

A lot of different hats here. Kudos to the man in the centre of the back row – very smartly dressed in a bowler.

Two of the men are still wearing their protective cricket pads and some of the women are holding cricket bats. Was this a co-ed game – probably not, probably just horsing around. The young lady in the middle of the middle row pretending to bowl (pitch) the ball looks like someone to contend with. There is a “person” next to her dressed in a bonnet – a man playing around and probably not a true cross dresser.

Altogether a fun photo – I think it’s Canadian too and we here are not really huge cricket fans (maybe an English import of a photo taken in the UK).

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

This is a picture I picked up at the Toronto Antique Market last weekend. It’s a sea of hats and appears to be a group company photograph. It’s curious that women if any are not in the picture – are they back in the office/factory doing the work?

There is quite a variety of hats here. The higher status men seem to be wearing bowlers (derbys) the lower status wear caps of different typs. At least one of the men appears to be wearing a Homberg.

I am not sure when this photo was taken. It is before World War 1 – it is a Cabinet Photo style albeit a very large one. It might have been taken a bit before the 1910 date I put in the heading to this post. I reduced it to postcard size and I will be offering copies for sale on my Cafe Press store when I next update the Store contents – I have quite a few new items to add.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vdIPqsTvYQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vdIPqsTvYQ

I just love how hats were featured during the whole 153 year period or at least some kind of head covering.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Made with Morpheus Photo Animation Suite

Hope you like this. I plan on making some more ambitious creations with vintage hat photographs and posting them to You Tube.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Edward Stuart Talbot

The Bishop and the fancy top hat

I was in the Antique market yesterday on a very rainy day in Toronto and came across the illustration in this post (it’s a partial from the full size picture). I was able to liberate it (a vintage original print) for a very reasonable price.

Of course I was attracted to the very shiny top hat on the clergyman. It has an interesting design. There seems to be some kind of supports for the brim or perhaps to give the brim a turned up shape? I could not tell it was a curiosity to me. Perhaps some expert can tell us about this top hat design? As well I am very interested in characters in general and this man seemed like an interesting person.

The man was Edward Stuart Talbot who lived a long life from Feb 1844 to January 1933. He is pictured at the age of sixty when he was the Bishop of Rochester (a place in the County of Kent in England). His career in the church was very notable. He was vicar of Leeds and at one time honorary Chaplin to Queen Victoria. The following was said of him at the time of the picture.

He is a fine scholar, theological and otherwise, who won a first (first class honors degree) in Greats (the classics) and another in the old school of Law and modern History; and consequently he has written much good work. Though he is a little lame he is very fond of travelling; and though he is not beautiful he is nevertheless an ornament to his bishopric….he may be confidently expected to rise yet higher in the spiritual world.

In summary an egg head and an interesting character that he was not beautiful seemed somewhat of an understatement but he sure looks interesting. He wore his hat well!

He went on to be the very first Bishop of Southwark in London the next year (1905). In 1911 he became Bishop of Winchester until 1923 (he would have been around 80 when he retired – a real gamer). RIP Bishop Talbot – read more about him at this link.

The bishopric of Rochester goes back a very long time (to 604 AD). The current incumbent has generated a great deal of controversy about his views on the Muslim religion his name is Michael Nazir-Ali a man with both British and Pakistani citizenship.

If you would like a full size reproduction of this image suitable for framing you can obtain it from All Posters -an affiliate of this blog. See the top left side bar on the Many Hatty Returns website it is number 1881938 when you get to the All Posters link. All posters.com has a large number of interesting posters on offer -please support this blog by purchasing a few. If you are lucky you will have a day on which there are substantial discounts. You can also click on the link below.

Edward Stuart Talbot Bishop of (In Turn) Rochester Southwark and Winchester

Giclee Print

Spy (Leslie M….

Buy at AllPosters.com

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph provided by permission from the City of Toronto Archives

City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 2575

A lot has been written about women’s hats at the races and I recently wrote a post about my trip to the Queen’s Plate last month. Not much has been written about the wearing of hats by men at the horse races. Some men still wear bowlers and top hats to the races on special occasions. However, this photograph of men betting at the race track shows that the wearing of hats for everyday wear in the 1920s was common place. There is a veritable sea of hats in the picture. You can spot boaters and bowlers in abundance together with driving caps. There is at least one top hat wearer (during the day yet) – see if you can spot it!

Was this “Men’s Day”where are the ladies? Perhaps it was not considered lady like to line up at the bookies to place a bet – not computerized tote then. A very different time.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSZcd8Z9UBk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSZcd8Z9UBk&feature=channel_page

I was looking at some videos “related”to my first you tube video in my last post and came accross this video of women from the past who lived in Toronto many in hats.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

This is my very first You tube video. You can view the video on the You Tube Site and embed it or share it on social media sites. This is the Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBpDIhBGbfc

The music is Midnight Bells by Heuberger which was obtained from Shockwave Sound. This and other Royalty Free Music can be obtained for your projects at their site

http://www.shockwave-sound.com/a/3d9b299782

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Check out the Guardian Website for some iconic Michael Jackson Clothing including the Equestrian hat and the famous Fedora Hat. Click Here.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Last Wednesday was our National Holiday in Canada. Here are some pictures of some kids doing a re-enactment of Fife and Drum bands and Red Coat troops. They work at Old Fort York in Toronto. I love the really tall hats and plumes. You can see women are allowed in the groups unlike in the early 19th. Century Regency period.

All the best for the forthcoming July 4 weekend to our American Friends.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

This is my favorite vitage picture of the week. It’s a mother and baby from the 1930s. Any suggestions on the Automobile?

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

The reverse on the photograph reads

Edward Adams son of Mr and Mrs Elisha Adams Glencoe Ontario.

His wife Amelia Otton Adams

I recently acquired this photograph. I do not know the date but it is great we have names and locations. My best guess would be between 1915 and 1925 but I am not sure. Anybody else have any other ideas? The look and feel of the actual photo is similar to ones I have from around 1914.

Glencoe Ontario is just West of London Ontario Canada about half way between Toronto and Detroit – I did not measure it on the map.

Well I love a man in a top hat and that goes without saying. Amelia is wearing a great down turned brim hat made from a really shiny elegant fabric. They both look really smart don’t they?

OK they are not the Addams Family of comedy fame. LOL

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Too Happy? Then give him the Sack

I got this postcard today at the Toronto Antique Market. Sorry it’s a little messed up. I cleaned it up a bit. It has not been postally used but has been around for about 100 years so you can forgive a little griminess.. The caption reads

You really are too cheerful

I must give you the sack (translation:Fire You)

Your smile extends right round your face,

And halfway round your back

The man does not look like a servant. The woman at the back who is administering the “sack”must be the lover or mistress. What a great Edwardian Hat with too very large hat pins. Boy were they ever lethal weapons! The postcard is from Britain hence the British English.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Queen Victoria the hat style maven

Last week, on May 18, 2009, we had our “Victoria Day” birthday holiday except it was held on a regularly scheduled time of the month of May not actually on the good Queen’s actual birthday. Her actual birth date is May 24.

Queen Victoria had a long reign of nearly 64 years – the current record. She is always portrayed as the somewhat stern Grandmother of the British Empire but it was not always so. Did you know she was quite the hat fanatic in her younger years and was known as a style setter? I didn’t know until I was doing some research for this post. Just two days before she passed away an article was published in the New York Times (January 20, 1901) The heading in the article is great.

Queen Victoria’s Hats

Many Years Ago She Set the Fashion for a Shape Englishwomen Favor now

Here are some extracts.

The Queen’s hats were always bent down to the nape of the neck

The article observed that this was a style that had been copied into the late reign of Victoria and worn even by young women.

It was noted that, at the time of her early married life, hats were generally worn in the country or for travelling. If a lady wore a hat in town it was much commented upon.

The Queen changed all that by constantly wearing , when driving in the park, large shady hats, handsomely trimmed with lace and feathers. Of course she was joined in this practice by ladies in waiting at the Court.

The article is very interesting. It goes on to relate the story of a new riding hat invented by the Court Hatter around 1850. Victoria ordered several at a time!

There is a great site I found with over 200 images from Victoria’s reign. My favorites are

11,13,27,30,38,48,87,106,160,236. Please check them out

You can read about Queen Victoria in a Wikipedia article referenced here.

Please all you celebrities and Royalty out there wear hats. Michelle and Barack please note.

We need a hat revival now to cheer everyone up and think of all the jobs making the hats, designing them etc.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I found this picture at our local Toronto Antique Market a few weeks ago. It appears to have been taken in the 1940s I would say either during World War II or shortly after that. It looks Canadian or American. Unfortunately the badge on the Naval Cap is not distinct enough. I love the fur and the fascinator on the woman(Wife?). (Can anyone make out the insignia?).

It is important to be grateful to the men and (increasingly) women who serve their various countries in very dangerous work. Today, in the USA, and November 11 in many other countries(including the USA) we give this special thought. Please spend a few minutes thinking about them wherever you are from.

I was interested in why US fallen service men and women are remembered in May. Memorial Day was first instituted to remember fallen soldiers in the US Civil War. It is held close to the date of reunification of the North and South. It was a brutal war to be sure. Of course, Memorial Day has taken on a broader significance as the US recognize the fallen service women and men, injured service people past and present and their serving men and women in all the Wars since then.

I am a Canadian and a British ex pat and join the Americans in their rememberance. I for one am grateful for their support in both World Wars and their continuing support now. I also recognize the sacrifice of people in armed forces everywhere.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

An amusing Cartoon from the late Victorian era – incidents when wearing the Tam O’Shanter. See my previous blog post on the Tammy.

I hope you are able to read the comedic comments.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.