Hats On for the 20's Bim and Moll

Find Your 20's Hat

Hello Cape Girardeau, Missouri and beyond,

Isn't that 20's slang great? Woman - dame, bim, broad, sister, dish, Sheba or, Girlfriend -- moll. Whatever the word she wore a hat, bandeau -- a band worn around the forehead or the crown of your head, sometimes very elegant or elaborate - or an aigrette, tall feathers usually on a band on the head. Your hat was a social status of the era. If a woman went out without a hat it was assumed she was a servant.

We all know the popular cloche -- a close fitting deep crowned brimless or very small brim hat. Variations of the cloche appeared with each new season. The credited creator was French milliner Caroline Reboux. The cloche was worn over the somewhat scandalous bobbed haircut. But there is more, the Pamela by French couturier Jeanne Lavin which was a shallow crowned hat with a slightly curved brim that slopes down in front and back and a wide sloped brim on the sides. A typical Pamela abounded in silk and was crowned with masses of velvet flowers or something similar. Coco Chanel satisfied her customers with the beret and the boater. A boater was a flat crowned small brimmed hat. Also popular was the picture hat, the helmet and the turban. You can see these hats on the covers of 1920's Vogue magazines.

Hatpins were no longer necessary but were shortened and used decoratively.

Tips on dating: Most 20's hats were lined, some had front or back printed in the lining. An inter-lining can be and was used to make a hat fit more snug for a better fit. Silk, felt and horsehair and straw were the most popular materials along with new synthetic materials. Popular trims included appliquéd faux jewels, silk or flocked ribbon flowers, fruits, celluloid and Bakelite ornaments, Soutache braid, straw braid, beads, draped ribbon and large bows. Sensational!

You're ready; find your 20's hat.

Have fun. Be classic, be you, wear vintage.