The cloche hat is a fitted, bell-shaped hat that was popular during the 1920s. (Cloche is the French word for bell.) Caroline Reboux is the creator of the cloche hat.Photo via the wonderfully-named My Ear-Trumpet Has Been Struck by Lightning. Too bad it has now gone inactive (but still browseable).
Cloche hats were usually made of felt so that they conformed to the head. The hat was typically designed to be worn low on the forehead, with the wearer's eyes only slightly below the brim. By 1928-1929, it became fashionable to turn the brims on cloche hats upwards. This style remained prevalent throughout the early 1930s until the cloche hat became obsolete around 1933-1934.
Often, different styles of ribbons affixed to the hats indicated different messages about the wearer. Several popular messages included: An arrow-like ribbon which indicated a girl was single but had already given her heart to someone, a firm knot which signaled marriage or a flamboyant bow which indicated the wearer was single and interested in mingling...
Reposted from 2010 (!!) after watching Agatha Christie's Seven Dials miniseries last night and seeing Mia McKenna Bruce in the starring role of a 1925 character:
Personally I would be happy to see this hat style come back into fashion. It looks very comfy and reasonably sensible in a world concerned about solar skin damage.
I had a burgundy cloche hat that looked just like item P in the advertisement, back in 1983. I got so many compliments on it, it was richly embroidered, tone on tone. Wish I still had it, it was so warm. Oh, and yes, I definitely need a large head size!
ReplyDeleteI wonder why they never called them casques?
ReplyDeleteMy wife's side hustle is buying/reselling vintage women's items (purses, nightwear, boudoir accessories, some hats, etc.) and some smoking paraphernalia that the cool kids like to buy. I sent her this post, and she said it was cool, that she sees cloche hats, but doesn't buy them. She says hats aren't easy to sell (for her). But maybe this post will inspire her. I've seen them in period pieces and they are adorable.
ReplyDeleteThe French wouldn't call them casques, despite looking like WWI military helmets, because (traditionally) women are soft and men are hard (headed).
Also, maybe leave this part of my comment out, Stan, but I imagine you might be curious to see what kinds of things my wife sells. A current trend is wearing a piece of vintage lingerie mixed in with modern items (i.e. a slip as a skirt, a silky top under a leather coat and heavy-soled leather boots). https://www.etsy.com/shop/bonjourvintagepurses?page=2#items
I don't edit comments, Jeremy, and it's an interesting link.
DeleteThanks, Stan. I didn't want to promote her site if it was against TYWKIWDBI rules.
DeleteRules are different for named, known readers. And it's a link that may be of interest to some other readers. Appreciate your input.
DeleteCodex
ReplyDeleteYou should wear it then. Do not forget to affix the appropriate bow or ribbon to yours.
Spouse says that one sweats like crazy.
Codex above comment was meant to be humorous. Hats are out but according to spouse young women are wearing men's hats. Dark academia fashion is still popular and both young men and women are mixing and matching both genders.
ReplyDeleteAs a woman I can see that most commenters are male here, so that the liability of this style isn't obvious. It gives the wearer a severe case of hat-head, which destroys a lot of styles. Many hats may be tight at the brim but allow some volume in the hair, this one is tight all over. It's just not an option for many women.
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