Summer Straw

Celebrating the Roaring Twenties in a Special Series

The Vintage Hat Series: 20s style via 40s/50s straw toqueSkullcaps, a variation of the cloche, were also popular hats in the 1920s. As indicated by their name, they are small, closely following the shape of the head. They were a particularly popular style adopted for eveningwear, and by brides, who worn them with long ribbon-trimmed veils.

Cloches were worn all year round, and ‘were made from felt, straw, or fabric, and could be draped or swathed with silks, tulle, lace, or netting’ … and often featured ‘pleating, beading, embroidery, or appliqué, and glorious trimmings of ribbon rosettes, silk flowers and feathers.’ [Susie Hopkins, The Century of Hats, Chartwell Books, 1999.]

The vintage hat I am wearing is made entirely from straw, intricately woven and trimmed in a galloon fashion with straw braid. Purchased on Etsy, the seller listed it as vintage 40s or 50s, although the style easily suggests the 1920s, particularly when worn with a bob. (I am not a fan of this type of hat worn with long hair, as made popular by Prada with their turbans a couple of years ago. It smacks of hippiedom to me.) It is a very light hat, perfect for summer.