Leaf Me Alone

The Vintage Hat Series: 1950s Grecian-style velvet leaf bandeauWood nymphs, or dryads in Greek mythology, were shy little creatures. Except, apparently, with the goddess Artemis who was fond of them. A minor female nature deity – though not necessarily immortal – a dryad is the spirit of a tree. The name is taken from the Greek word, drys, which means oak.

Nymphs were usually depicted as beautiful and amorous young maidens who loved to dance and sing. Often the target of satyrs, their amorous freedom set nymphs apart from the virtuous Greek ladies – from the sound of it they rarely said leave me alone!

Still, I like to imagine they must have worn some pretty Grecian-style dresses and floral garlands in their hair, not too dissimilar to my leafy velvet bandeau. It is a vintage 50s hat I purchased on eBay. When I first came across the auction, I fell in love with it and determined it must be mine. My highest bid wasn’t totally crazy, and in the end I won it for US$31 – a ridiculously low price. It is the perfect hat to wear in a romantic mood through spring and summer.