Art Friday: All about hats

Patrick William Adam "A lady in pink", 1899

Art Friday: All about hats

There was a time, not that long ago, when no respectable lady left home without her hat and gloves.  Today it is a rare sight to see a lady in a hat (perhaps only when it is very cold or they are off the races).  Once upon a time hats were worn to cover the head as per the scriptures.  However hats have had many purposes over the years including; to keep the sun off the face to keep the complexion pale and delicate, attending Sunday church (no women would ever contemplate attending church without her hat), formal occasions and for warmth.  But wearing a hat to  "finish" off an outfit was often the main reason - it was consider the final touch to any outfit - a work of art to be admired. Many of the hats below fall into this category. They aren't overly practical!

As a child, my mother wore a hat and long white gloves every Sunday morning to church which matched her best Sunday outfit.  Likewise, I too, wore a hat on Sunday mornings, once again it is a rare sight to see a woman with a hat at Sunday church. This collection of art, many from the old Women's Journals, is a reminder of times past. 

Do enjoy.

1920, Ladies journal
Above and below: Sue Halstenberg
Above and below by Harrison Fisher
Now that's a hat!

Vogue magazine 1950

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Comments

  1. These hats are hot Jo, I really like them.
    And yes it's true you hardly see women wearing at to church now a days

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    1. Its a pity hats have died as they do look quite stylish. My mother had quite a collection of hats for sunday church, depending on the season and her outfit!!

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  2. Dear Jo, Loved this post so much!!!
    I have always loved hats, and these pictures just make me wish we would wake up and realize how lovely they can make a lady look! How are you? I am so glad to have spent time with my daughter! How is your son?
    Blessings, Roxy

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    1. Sadly, the women who wear hats to the races are often wearing rather trashy (but expensive) dresses that are all very strappy. Hats need a lovely feminine dress and that is something you don't see very often. The Queen always looks lovely in a hat.

      My son is coming along but still has some way to go. I think he will need to learn to live with depression and develop the skills for coping. I continue to worry about him and watch for any signs that he is struggling.

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  3. You know, I really look terrible in hats. Except cowboy hats, which really isn't my style. Love a lady that can pull off a hat though.

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    1. I also like a lady that can wear a hat. I think the Duchess of Cambridge (Kate) looks stunning in a hat.

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  4. Beautiful! My girls wear hats. I love hats, but feel too conspicuous in them. I'm thankful my girls don't feel that way. Maybe they will help bring them back into style. Loves,

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    1. A friend of mine wears hats and she looks gorgeous in them - they don't do the same thing for me!! I do love hats though and enjoy watching the old movies with the ladies in hats and their best frocks.

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  5. I like hats, but they are a nuisance to keep on, so I've grown away from them. I used ties to keep them on. I guess I needed a big pile of hair and some hat pins to make it work. :-) Some of these hats look impossible to enjoy wearing - the really large ones.

    Do you know what the woman from the 1950 Vogue magazine is doing? She has matches in her hand and is doing something to her face. What??

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    1. I hadn't looked that closely at the 1950's Vogue picture, but now that I have, I can't quite figure out what she is doing. It almost looks like she is attacking pimples or something!!!

      I only wear hats on very cold days if I am outside, but I am not really a hat person. I use to wear hats to and from school as they were part of our uniform, but they were made for school girls and therefore didn't come off quickly!!

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