Scarlet Red 1940s Plumed Hat with Original Veil

Scarlet red and gorgeous.

This was the millinery silhouette required to top those 1940s broad shouldered dresses or suits with slim pencil skirts.  

The hat was obviously designed for a bold, energetic woman who was not afraid to show her colors.  It has all the class and style that  first debuted in France when Christian Dior launched The New Look, early in 1947.  It dates to circa 1948. 

The hat is worn at a flirty tilt and held in place with a millinery elastic. It features the original, heavily textured, French silk veil
that is unusually perfect. The upward thrusting feathered trim is mounted upon the same felted wool panels as that from which the hat is made. The trim is made from slightly iridescent French coq.

The hat's designer label is missing, unfortunately. However, the  millinery union label is there and also points this era. This hat is a wonderful example of post World War II millinery fashions.

Vintage Hat Vintage Hat Vintage Hat.... Oh! What a Great Vintage Hat!

Vintage Hat 

Vintage Hat

Vintage Hat

Oh!

What a Beautiful Vintage Hat!

Asymmetrical design with sharp tilts to one side of the head were ubiquitous millinery silhouettes during the early 1930s. This is an exquisite example dated to 1932.

Masterfully designed, the toque is made from heavenly soft, felted cashmere. Molded over a wooden millinery form, the hat drapes perfectly over the head in secure, comfortable style.

The hat's trim is absolutely exquisite. It is a long drooping pom placed at one side of the face. Each of the long, perfect barbs were selected and trimmed from off a luxurious black ostrich plume. These were gathered into a kind of bouquet, wrapped inside a felted cashmere holder and stitched firmly in place. The result is a drooping pom that gracefully dances in the air. 

The hat is so very soft, that one cannot help but to absent-mindedly stroke it. This is a fine example of what the early 1930s millinery masters created for the fashionable upper class woman. Unfortunately, the millinery label is missing...but the glamour remains.

The Gilded Griffin...Welcome!

This portfolio has been created to document the images and descriptions used within my online shop. This is where many of the antique and vintage hats, clothing, accessories and fine textiles that have been used in our research are sold. The Gilded Griffin shop supports the work we are doing on written projects about historical fashions and the women’s millinery industries.

If you would like to see more...

simply Google

The Gilded Griffin

for a link to the shop's current location.

     Original photography & text copyright 2014 J. Henri

     Please use images and text with appropriate citations.

Thank you!

Vintage Hat. This late 1930s hat has that forward thrusting crown and definitive style that was a favored design silhouette during this time. It is hand woven and made from straw.  The enormous bow is made from moiré taffeta and the hat is banded with black silk netting that is long enough to flutter in the wind.  No, the veiling was not designed to be a full face veil. It was added for textural interest and simply decorative. The hat is held in place with original elastic band on the interior and is faced with a French grosgrain ribbon. There is no millinery label...circa 1939.

Welcome to The Gilded Griffin...a Portfolio of Historical Fashions

This portfolio has been created to document the images & descriptions used within my online shop. This is where many of the antique & vintage hats, clothing, accessories & fine textiles that have been used in our research are sold. The Gilded Griffin shop supports the work we are doing on written projects about historical fashions and the women’s millinery industries.

If you would like to see more...
simply google

The Gilded Griffin

for a link to the shop's current location.

 Thank you!

     Original photography & text copyright 2014 J. Henri.