Michelles Etsy picks of the week…hats

Hi all. Sorry that I missed a week of blogging my etsy favs, but I was away for Christmas and New Year on a jaunt the country. Anyhoo…time to start off 2012 with some of my favourite vintage headwear from the 1930s and 40s. I am a big fan of 1930s ’tilt’ hats and ‘toppers’ or straw fedoras that tip towards the eye. So very flattering and sophisticated and I adore the balance they give to the face. For those new to vintage ‘hat-talk’ here is a little background …

Unlike today, hats were an essential part of every womans’ daily wardrobe and were not just worn for special occasions. As a lady, if you went out during the day before 6pm – it really was expected that you wear some type of headwear and that included church, shopping, going to the movies, posting a letter etc. The variety of hats available was endless (except during WW2 when rations were imposed – and ladies would improvise and make their own) and there were so many styles, colours and different hat materials on the market that you could pretty much find headwear to match any outfit you owned and for any season. Hat-pins and clasps were also extremely popular and could make a drab hat look quite special. Milliners were everywhere and huge sections of department stores were dedicated only to displaying and stocking hats.

I have also included a lovely 1930s hat pattern below for those among you who are creative. This great little pattern is produced by my friend Shelley from her very own New Vintage Lady line. Hope you like these beauties as much as I do 🙂

* Please note that all photos are linked back to their original Etsy sources.

Hat 1950s 50s Beret Tilt Hat Vintage Forward Tilt  w/Autumn Leaves ...Do 1930s 30s LAYAWAY Available     1930s tilt hat, vintage 30s hat, boater with flocked flowers     30's 40's Vintage Wide Brim Profile Hat Unused Old Store Stock 22

1930s tilt picture hat, 30s vintage navy brimmed tilt     Vintage 1940s Straw Tilt Topper Hat Chocolate Brown Millinery Flowers Grosgrain Ribbon     Vintage 1940s 50s Hat : Beanie-Style Straw Hat

Your Sunday Best - Early 1930s Straw/Horsehair Brimmed Hat w/Pink Velvet Flowers & Pearl Pin     The London Blitz - Late 1930s WWII RAF Blue Felt Turned Brim Topper w/Velvet Bow & Pave Pin     1940s Red  Straw Hat

NVL 1930s Cap Hats 23 head PLUS SIZE     1930s Hat - dark blue straw sporty 30s English hat with cream and blue trim     1930s hat - sporty chestnut brown with lovely band -  21" - never worn.

Vintage Hat 1940s Helen Joyce Slate Blue Straw Derby with Flowers     Don't Toy with me 1930s 1940s Black Tilt Toy Hat Must See     Vintage 1930s Green Straw Tilt Topper Hat Orange Floral Roses 1940s Perch

Delicious Vintage Rare 1940s Bakelite Cherry Blossom Sunday Hat with Veil     Betmar Bloomingdales Pillbox Black Felt Faille Frou Frou     70's Does 30's Straw Wide Brim Hat with White Ribbon & Flower 22 1/2

The Flapper Girl – blog

I was messing around with my Google Reader the other day (if you don’t use it, you absolutely should) and I stumbled upon The Flapper Girl which is an outstanding photoblog. Click on the link or the photos and spend some time browsing her site. In the mean time, here are a few of my favorite pictures she’s posted.