I have decided to redo this whole site by way of clean up please be patient for a few days

Darla

©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.

Hello everyone

I will start posting here again shortly. I had to deal with a hacking attack. With the help of my host Blue Host I was able to fix the problem files and everything should be OK now.

If you visit ANY site and you get sent to a mysterious site for heavens sake do NOT click on anything. I had a problem (unrelated) with a software supplier recently where I was sent to a malicious website. Repeat do NOT click on anything in these strange unknown sites.

I believe all is well now. If you encounter any problems please let me know as soon as possible, I am committed to your safety. I wish these A***** were not around they seem to be able to do this stuff to innocent people causing them time money and other problems.

Once again please accept my apologies.

Darla

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I apologize to my readers here I have been very sick for the last several weeks and been forced to take a break I am returning to the blog today and I find that I have been hacked. I really apologize if you have been affected. I have deleted the offending post on the site that dealt with an illustration from Dover that did not have a link.

A warning to everyone check your blood pressure regularly mine got up to extremely high levels and I was very fortunate to avoid a stroke.

I will be back soon when I have fixed the problems.

Best

Darla

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Circus Fun

The Toronto International Circus Festival was held over the weekend at the Toronto Waterfront. Some great hat sightings there. If you want to see a short video done by me please visit the link on you tube below.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHc2hh5cguk

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

The Queen’s Visit to North Wales

Hat Ambassador Queen Elizabeth visits North Wales(from the Royal Channel on You Tube). I notice she likes a particular shape of hat and the outfit always has to be a matching colour. The outfit for the visit was pink. Watch out for the other hats in the video such as the military bearskin hat. Check out the Queen in a flash back to 1969 does she ever look young and she wears a trendy hat.

Happy Mothers Day Your Majesty although the UK celebration was on March 14 many countries are celebrating it today.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDOeokqrQCc

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

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Loose Ends

Religious Head Coverings

A few months ago I put out a request for readers who would like to contribute articles on religious head coverings. Yes I know it is a big subject. The articles would be voluntary but would provide great exposure for your particular faith.

Well there was one brave volunteer to cover the head coverings for the Jewish faith.

So far I have not been successful at getting volunteers to cover other Religions/Sects. I have not given up on the project which could eventually lead to a book. This would be a worthwhile series I believe. My preference is to have guests write about their particular faith since in that way the subtle meaning of the headwear will not be missed. I would of course be more than happy to help research images etc that could be used in the series.

There are many faiths I would like to cover in addition to Jewish head wear. In the Christian religion there are the Catholics who have a rich tradition as well as the Anglicans and other Protestants. Much has been written about Muslim headwear and I suspect that there are misunderstandings about the meaning of the particular headwear items. What about Buddhist and Hindu? I was privileged a couple of years ago to be invited to a Hindu Wedding where headgear was very much in evidence. There are many other religious sects and I am open to your suggestions.

Please contact me through the contact box on the blog if you would like to contribute or if you would like to just provide me with information so I can write the piece myself.

Maria Curcic’s New Store

Last year I interviewed Maria on the Podcast. Maria has a new store. Please visit her new website. It is worth checking out.

Hat Life Directory

The 2010 Hat Life Directory is out. It is a valuable resource in the hat industry. Many Hatty Returns is covered in the Directory. Please check it out and get your copy. I am an affiliate of the Hat Life Directory. Please click on the box below or on the sidebar in the blog to go to the Hat Life Directory Website.

I plan a review of the Directory in the near future and an interview with the Hat Life Editor. (Yes I am an affiliate).

Guest Posts Welcome

If you would like to blog on the subject of hats but only have a few articles in you

Perhaps you would like to contribute a guest post? Guest posting is a great way to promote yourself or your business. One of the guest posts here drew a record number of hits on the blog – way over 2,000 !!

Forum

I have started to construct a Forum related to hats. The Forum is a work in progress right now so please stay tuned for an announcement of when it is up and running. I am hoping that the forum will become a place for exchange of views and that many of you will participate. It will be another great place to draw attention to you or your business.

Podcast Volunteers

I have approached a number of people about participating in the Podcast here. The Podcast can be downloaded through iTunes. Due to a variety of personal issues I have fallen off the wagon in the last few months but I will be recording more episodes soon. I will get back to you if we have already contacted each other. If you would like to be interviewed for the Podcast please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you everyone for your patience.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Do Not Forget Kentucky Derby Day on May 1, 2010

The Kentucky Derby is a great occassion to wear a hat here are a few You Tube videos for your enjoyment. (Even if you don’t get to the race wear your best hat anyway).

Making a Kentucky Derby Hat

www.youtube.com/watch?v=igCsdOqyJis

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

2009 Derby

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgIB3UmV9u8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgIB3UmV9u8

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

The Pork Pie Hat and Buster Keaton

The Pork Pie Hat or Porkpie takes its name from a resemblance to a pie,  pork pie. Although the style is most known as a men’s hat it has also been worn by women as a basic shape. It is most often made with felt but can be made with straw. The crown is flat with an indentation all the way around as illustrated in the pictures of Buster Keaton above. The style is said to have originated in the Victorian Period.

The silent screen movie star Buster Keaton popularized the style and he made his own pork pie hats. He cut down Stetson Hats and modified them Find out how.

While you are on the Buster Keaton site find out more about him. If you are a fan you can watch many of his old silent movies for free on the Internet Archive Website. He wears his hats well but mostly porkpie hats. You can find an example here in his 1922 movie “Daydreams” . Look for more.

Here is a cartoon of Buster Keaton from Wikimedia Commons user RailRoadGun.

Pork Pie Hats in the British Navy

The lower ranks in British Navy wear a form of Pork pie hat.

The top of the crown is enlarged for effect and the brim is not as wide as the pork pie design. It has been referred to as a pork pie style but is also referred to as a square rigger. It seems like an inverted pork pie hat to me.

Here is a poster with an earlier version of the hat.

Wearers of Pork Pie Hats past and present

Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (played by Gene Hackman) in the French Connection

Robert Oppenheimer father of the atomic bomb

Dean Martin was said to be partial to this style of hat.

Jazz Musicians are very fond of the style.

Pork Pie Hat Music

Charles Mingus “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”

Check You Tube for various renditions of this music originally written for the saxaphone

Laurel Aitken “Give me back my porkpie hat”.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

These are all pictures of girl’s fashions from October 1897 taken from the pages of The Standard Designer Magazine. The Standard Designer was a New York City fashion magazine that seems to have focused on publishing patterns. The magazine seems to have been discontinued in 1926.

Enjoy!

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Add a personal touch – send a Note card to someone.

Snail mail as we have come to call it has become increasingly rare. You know people used to hand write their letters and send them in the mail. People would wait in anticipation for a letter, the mail was special. Now we want to communicate instantaneously via email. Let’s dash off a quick note of thanks by email. People are busy let’s cut through the graces some people might say.

Worse still let’s text the person ( a “skill” I have yet to learn), send them a Tweet or post a note to a Facebook Wall. Of course these methods have their place but there are times when a personal note will be treasured and even kept for posterity. I sure will not archive my emails for all time.

I once had occasion to ask a Member of Parliament to sign some legal papers for me. When he sent me a handwritten note asking how it all turned out I was completely bowled over. In this competitive world we should make sure we send a thank you note after an interview or just when someone gives us advice. You will be sure that a hand written note on a classy card will really impress the interviewer.

So here is my list

Ten Reasons to Send a Note card.

1. Just to drop a note to a friend that you have not seen for a while to give them your love and to stay in contact.
2. Tell your Mother(or Father) you love them. Don’t wait for Mothers Day and you can celebrate both the British and American Mother’s Days. Parents can do the same for their adult children who live far away.
3. Send written thank you notes for Christmas or Birthday presents.
4. Use a plain card as a cover for a printed note inviting the recipient to an event – sign the card by hand.
5. Send a special “Get Well” card.
6. Enclose a special handwritten note card with a gift instead of a little gift tag.
7. Send a handwritten note card to your business contacts thanking them for their business.
8. Write your own birthday note in a plain note card.
9. Thank a prospective employer (or client) with a handwritten note. (This will have you stand out from others who don’t thank you or just send emails).
10. Send a handwritten note in a card thanking a friend or contact for their advice.

Hatty Note Cards

Please drop by my store on Cafe Press. It has many cards with vintage images that you can purchase and you will know that you are supporting this Blog.

Please pay a visit even if it is for window shopping. As well check back often as I will be adding more items over time.

Available for purchase (all rights reserved)

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Hats by Glenis Redmond

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib_8fpd7p_c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib_8fpd7p_c

“Glenis Redmond is poet, educator, performer, and counselor rolled into one passionate soul”. You can read about Glenis at her site.

From the poem:

Profile it, style it and then let them wow it.
Tilt it, lean it, or wear it straight in place.
A well worn hat is a symbol of style and grace.

The video is a shortened version, but you can read the entire poem at this link.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Charity Wine Tasting

Last week I was at an event in support of the Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation.

A friend and I staffed a stand for Pravda Vodka. We served the samples in ice cups and the drink was smooth. I don’t normally drink liquor but this was smooth. A lot of supporters of the Hospital Foundation were there at the tasting which featured wines from around the world and representatives from the vineyards. The evening dinner featured an auction for high rollers. A Mercedes fetched $65,000 and several wine items sold for multiple thousands. A great event. I enjoyed supporting it and it was a lot of fun. Oh, of course, I kept my fancy hat on for the duration – several people admired the hat and my hatty spirit.

If you are interested in stem cell research the Foundation also supports that through the McEwan Centre.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwNqxxUooiM

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

I tweeted about this You Tube discovery last weekend. It is a news item thought to be from 1928 or 1929 based on the styles of hat and the automobile shown. Lots of close fitting cloches and still a very wearable style today -- enjoy!! By the way I love how the cloche is extended to the back of the neck. Anyone know of a designer doing the same thing today?

Thanks to the atqui Channel on You Tube

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Vive La Phrygian Cap

Does the cap in the picture look anything like a toilet plunger? Last month in Toronto at the International Festival here Valerie Tian was seen wearing a Phrygian Cap. It was suggested by a fashion commentator that the cap looked like she had a toilet plunger on her head.

In a letter to the Globe and Mail Canada’s National Newspaper (Update more than just Toronto) a reader took a great exception to this characterization. Actually Valerie was wearing a cap in the style of Marianne – the symbol of France and the French Revolution. These caps are experiencing a comeback and can be considered to be stylish.

I have included a gallery of Public Domain images from Wikimedia showing the caps. Enjoy:

Facts about Phrygian Caps

The Phrygian Cap is typically a soft red conical cap that is pulled forward. Other colours have been worn for fashion. It is similar to the Turkish cap worn in the region of Anatolia by the inhabitants of Phrygia- like a conical Fez.

The Phrygian Cap is a symbol of liberty, particularly in the French Revolution as depicted in the gallery above.

Similar Hats:

• The Pileus was a smaller cap more like a skull cap that was worn by freed slaves in antiquity and became symbolic of liberty.
• Some toques ( a knitted hat associated with Canada) if they are in a conical shape can be worn to resemble a Phrygian Cap if you wish to have the look.

Many countries incorporate the Phrygian cap into their heraldry. In addition to France these countries include Cuba, Bolivia, Columbia, Argentina, El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Paraguay.

Marcel Boucher, a maker of fine costume jewellry in the 1930s to 1960s used the Phrygian cap as his trade mark on the fine silver pieces he produced in the 1940s (he is a favorite of mine and I own a few choice pieces).

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

It’s all in the hat!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKcbk6xnSz4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKcbk6xnSz4

From the Threadbanger Channel on You Tube -- visit there for lots of great how to videos

Some quick facts about the Mad Hatter

What is this 10/6 thing anyway?

It was added by Tenniel (The original Illustrator for the Alice in Wonderland Book)  as something whimsical. It’s not a date it is the price of the hat in pre decimalized sterling. It is a price tag or an order. (Well Minnie Pearl did the same thing with her straw hats).

In the old currency:

4 farthings = 1 penny
2 farthings = 1/2 penny
12 pennies = 1 shilling
3 pennies = 3 pence (a threepenny bit)
6 pennies = 6 pence (a six penny bit)
20 shillings = 1 pound
21 shillings = 1 guinea

10/6 was 10 shillings and 6 pence, it also represents a half guinea. Gentlemen bought stuff in guineas, auctions were in guineas and you bought a horse using guineas. Confusing eh? Enough to drive you mad!

How come he was the “Mad” Hatter?

Some say that hatters were mad from Mercury used in the process of making felt hats in the 19th Century.

What is the answer to the Mad Hatter’s riddle?

The Mad Hatter had a riddle “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” Originally this was supposed to be a riddle without an answer but later some people made suggestions! Who cares though!

POST SCRIPT

Next Spring 2010 there is a new Alice in Wonderland Movie coming out with Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. In the movie Alice Returns to Wonderland and sees her old friends. You can view the trailer at the following link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjMkNrX60mA

It seems that TweedleDum and TweedleDee have lost their schoolboy caps -- that’s a shame. I’ll be sure to see it though.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Check out these Dior images from Life.com

http://www.life.com/image/2673971/in-gallery/23711/vintage-christian-dior

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Call for 2009 Hatty Award Nominations

Hat Life is calling for nominations for its 2009 Hatty Awards.

They are asking that you Join the ranks of the headwear industry’s best and brightest, making you – and your work – an industry leader.

All the players in the Headwear Industry are eligible. This includes:

A website, blog, headwear designer, importer, supplier, manufacturer or retailer who has made a worthwhile contribution to the headwear industry in 2009.

You can nominate yourself or another company or individual. You should get your nominations submitted by October 15 2009.

The winners will be included in Hat Life’s media campaign and profiled in the 2010 Hat Life book. Watch for the announcement of winners on December 15, 2009

Fill out the questionnaire and send photos – Get your application at:
http://www.hatlife.com/hatty_awards.php

If you have questions please contact the Hat Life people at support@hatlife.com or call 877.428.5433.

Are you subscribed to the Hat Life Newsletter and are you getting your copy of the Hat life annual directory? This has been published for 137 years so they must be doing something right. It is full of useful reference information. Among the many uses are to:

• Find potential buyers for your products and services
• Find fabric, trimming, manufacturers, suppliers, knitters, domestic and overseas production and importers in the headwear industry
• Get contact information of hat retailers around the world

It is an indipensible resource for all players in the hat business worldwide.

Get your free subscription to the Hat Life Newsletter and stay current on happenings in the hat industry. Click below

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

All Rights Reserved

This picture is indirectly related to hats since both of the men on the cart are wearing hats.

The image is a recent acquisition. I have no real clues as to date since dray carts were used until the mid 20th century – albeit in a limited fashion. The picture is attached to Cabinet Card stock. Cabinet cards were on the wane in the period immediately prior to the First World War. I believe this to be a picture taken around 1910 but I stand to be corrected if you have any other ideas.

When I looked at this picture under a high resolution scan I saw they were carrying tomatoes for/from a company called Dominion Canning (I tried researching the company but was not able to find any useful information). The sign on the window of the building on the left reads Canadian Bank of Commerce. Not an elaborate sign – maybe it was a sub branch? The Bank merged in the 1960s and eventually became CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce on merger with the Imperial Bank).

I like the Greek fisherman’s cap on the driver’s assistant.

The two horses in the picture are great. They seem to be posing for the picture and are very well behaved. Horses used for haulage are/were specially bred. Check out more information here.

COMING SOON

Please stay tuned for part 2 of the interview with Lisa Shaub.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=to9xb2sNo5Q

I am continuing this series of videos “related to my video posted last week this is a very cute hatty movie I really really loved it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to9xb2sNo5Q

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHtkqzwIhOo

Here is another Video You Tube considers “related”to my own video posted last week. If you love nostalgia it’s worth a look and patience will be rewarded with some hat glimpses.

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

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

A UK Hat Designer Stephen Jones recently designed a paper hat for the V&A and the Guardian for his recent Spring Exhibition at the V&A. You can download the instructions here. If you are instruction challenged like me you can view Lily Davis Making the Hat on the Guardian Website

Some beautiful paper hat creations are shown in the slide show above.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I treated myself to a wonderful Edwardian Style Birthday Hat. I got the Hat from Urban Hats in the St. Lawrence Market.

I apologize for the blurry picture. I guess the waitress got too exicited about the wonderful hat. Stay tuned Rene the maker of the hat has a show coming up on July 25 here at the Toronto Food Market.

Find out more about Rene Falcon and her hats at her website.

UPDATE

I’ll post a clearer picture at a future date don’t worry

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

There was an interesting picture today of Phoebe Price (picture number 5) wearing a huge dress and accessories that include a very large hat. It is brought to us by the self appointed “Fashion Police”at Yahoo. The same people who referred to the Queen of England as “Queenie”I seem to remember, yet try to forget.

This assault on the right to wear hats has to stop! Please!

I might start, I just might start, the IHWRA (International Hat Wearing Rights Association) we need to fight back!

Oh by the way if you do not know Phoebe Price you can check out her Website. Perhaps you may not care?

She has a spoof of the famous Marylin Monroe iconic up blowing skirt picture on her first page keep clicking through the introduction. Very camp Phoebe!

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

A great video from Vidcat showing vintage hats side by side with modern hats that drew inspiration from those hats. Brief but wonderful.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6-19bPQCwg

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Here is a great cartoon from a page from a Victorian Magazine I got at the Toronto Antique Market yesterday.

The dapper little John Bull guy seems to like both fat and lean women. He is wearing a great top hat. The women are wearing some kind of bonnet looking like a scarf.

Take the Fat with the lean

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I just found some cool Fashion sites courtesy of Mazi TV.

Mazi.tv is a weekly tech show based on reviewing UK and European start ups. We meet at different bars or pubs here in London and provide our verdict on the sites we like most.

Check out the bios of the people who run this site I found them very interesting.

You can view the fashion site video here, kind of rambley but cute discussion.

My favorite is IQUONS.com. I did a quick search for hats and found a users – Anna Malni who is as stuck on hats as we are on this blog. She shares some hat photographs on her section of the site.

IQONS is a social networking community that aims to set fashion and creativity free of geographic and social limits and create a free platform where people connect, show their work and start alternative networks across the world to invigorate fashion globally.

I love the IQONS site and recommend that you check it out and connect.

Other sites noted by Mazi Tv were:

http://www.osoyou.com/

A shopping and socializing site for women who love beauty and fashion. A very new concept worth checking out. There are some hats but more to come one hopes.

http://upyourstyle.com/

A style site

http://ilikemystyle.net/

A social networking site to connect ppeople that love fashion.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

All Rights Reserved

I didn’t go to the Antique Market this week but the boy above is from last week. I love his Newsboy Cap. Its from about 1905 – 1910 or so.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I’m off to the Clothing Show in Toronto this afternoon. It opens at 3 pm and is on for three days. Like the two ladies in the back of the vintage car in the picture I will be wearing a fancy hat.

Picture from early Edwardian (big hat) times – wonderful

(All Rights Reserved)

I will be looking for hats old and new. Please see my previous post for details about the show.

Congratulations to my three ticket winners, all from Toronto

Shirley L

Andree L

Megan G

(last names not disclosed privacy is precious to me)

I will be reporting on this event. I have already made one very useful contact.

By the way I note that the Kentucky Derby is on tomorrow – oh the hats my cup runneth over. I will be watching for the You Tube reports on the hats at the races.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I am just watching TCM and I just had to draw your attention to the movie. This is a 1939 movie starring Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer and Rosalind Russell -- oh wow.

It is based on a 1936 play by Clare Booth Luce and is about the adventures of three wealthy women for the most part. There are lot and lots of hats!

I would like to draw your attention to the fashion show that interrupts the black and white movie. It is one hat after the other -- eye candy to be sure. In 1939 color was starting to come into movies and the contrast with the black and white would have been amazing to audiences at that time -- a little lost on us watching this at home.

One of the commentators on the imdb website called it the classic bitch film of all time -- I like it!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORKYQCJIsvU

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

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

From You Tube -- Check out the hats!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idrc-dKzy6Q

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I am very nostalgic about men in top hats.

Here is an excellent one (the hat of course not the man) currently on sale

Click on the picture for a larger view

See more here.

This is brought to you courtesy and by permission of Gardenartus Antiques a new Twitter friend. Many Thanks.

By the way you can follow me on Twitter @IFRS_Exorcist (Updated). IFRS Exorcist is the nom de plume I use for my accounting business. Yes some are about accounting but most are for fun. It’s too much to have more than one Twitter account. Please follow me and give it a try.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

This is another video from the Public Domain collection of the Prelinger Archives.

This video shows hair styles from the cavemen to the (very hurried) 17th and 18th century. It is a short from 1950 and is very camp.(Don’t forget there was no Internet then!). Best viewed in a group after a few drinks I think. My favorite part is the overly-large hats from the medieval times showing the antler and ox styles. Who can forget the enormous dual cone styles of the age? Try sitting behind one of those ladies in a service in a cathedral. The Church had actually decreed that women cover their head in church. The video is for fun and does point out that the millinery excesses were enjoyed by the upper classes only. Did the poor people suffer from hat envy from these people getting on their “high hat”?.

One question I have. Do you find these old designs inspiring or just plain silly. I note that even men wore large hats during certain periods (not the poor masses though). I do not believe that hats should be for the favored few. They should be a statement of the joy of living and not a status symbol as in past times. A hat on every head I say (oh and a chicken in every pot as well).

Here is the link (I tried to embed the video and it caused a problem in the site)

http://www.archive.org/details/HairDres1950

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I recently learned that Dover Publishing has a book of illustrations of women’s hats from the past. The book is entitled Women’s Hats Headdresses and Hair styles. This type of material is great to illustrate your own personal projects and to drive inspiration if you are a designer. Here are a few samples from Dover Publishing.

Edwardian

Please check the copyright policy for the use of these images in the book.

Do you have a favorite hat in the illustrations? I am kind of fond of the top hat. It might actually be in style today. (Britney Spears and Circus and all that you know). The overly large hat is not really practical for everyday wear but it would be fun to wear one if only for a day at the races.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

The word “Sombrero” means hat in Spanish but it is often been used to refer to the very large hat worn by members of the Mariachi Bands. Of course, when people first go to Mexico they often bring back one of these hats as a souvenir. After it spends a few years gathering dust on display it then gets donated to a thrift shop. Has anyone out there found a use for these hats – Halloween perhaps?

Here is a video below showing the famous Mexican Hat Dance starring the famous hat. It comes for the Prelinger Archives and is in the Public Domain. Please see my previous post for information on the Prelinger Archives.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

A video on celebrity inspired hat styles on You Tube. This is in recognition of the Oscars on now.

From Katie -- Before and After TV

“A bad hair day is a great hat day“. Good advice.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAMKmnBybLE

Here is the link for feed readers:

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

I thought you would like to see this Edwardian grouping. It looks like a boy’s school. Hats abound. Enjoy.

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.

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Hat Revivalist

©2012 Many Hatty Returns. All Rights Reserved.