Innocent … Until Proven Noodle-y

Vintage 40s pink straw and black velvet hat, from The Vintage Hat Series; purchased from eBay store Tarnished Past Vintage HatsThis cute little 40s hat almost defies description. It is darling, funny, quaint and strange all at the same time. From the front it looks quite innocent… cute little black velvet bows above the temples, seductive black veil that tucks just under the chin, classic baby pink and black combination…

And then I turn around and there are pappardelle noodles dangling above my French roll. Funny little things.

Vintage 40s pink straw and black velvet hat, from The Vintage Hat Series; purchased from eBay store Tarnished Past Vintage HatsI searched on eBay for more 40s hats, just to see if I could find anything similar, and to my great surprise I did (see below)! This type of loop decoration was not that uncommon after all. 

Vintage 40s navy straw hat with loops, available from the Crinoline Lady on eBay Like this navy straw currently on eBay, I am guessing my hat is also made from polyester. I did not realise the man-made fibre was in use as early as the 1940s, but it was in fact invented by a group of British scientists who were working with synthetic polymers then.

While we think of polyester in terms of cheap and nasty textiles, it is, in fact, a plastic. Not a terribly glamorous thought, but at least it means my hat will stay in good condition for a long time to come. 

Check out the Out-takes & Extras gallery for another angle of the hat.