Sara Duncan quote, vintage 1940s hat

"Clothes and courage have so much to do with each other."  Sara Jeannette Duncan

Q

The Vintage Hat Shop

1940s Sister Hats, a Gage and a New York Creation!

Every once in awhile some hats will come to The Vintage Hat Shop and you just know there is a story behind their eye catching appearance. Both of these 1940s black felt hats were acquired from the same person. Don't they just tell you something about the kind of gal that would own 1940s hats?  The black "loopy" hat is a Gage and the tilt is a New York Creation. These weren't her mother's hats, she had an elegantly dramatic look all her own! Sophisticated and alluring-- you bet!

I would say this young woman loved 1940s hats and  was very classy and stylish, wouldn't you? Oh, how I wish I'd known her!
Both styles coming to The Vintage Hat Shop soon.

Glen Miller Orchestra, The Best of the 1940s.

We recently had the chance to hear the 1940s style Glen Miller Orchestra down at Waterfront Park.

The Big Band sound was outstanding and so vintage retro!

My  favorite songs included--

-A String of Pearls
-I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo
-Moonlight Serenade
-Pennsylvania  6-5000 
-Chattanooga Choo Choo


It was such a cool evening that I was wearing my Smart Wool socks and my fleece jacket. But in my heart of hearts this is how I imagine a gal from the 1940s must have felt.

When I got back to the hat shop I had to make sure that many hats from the 1940s were listed.

1940's tilt with back band and side loops

1940s brown tilt with back band

Casablanca style tilt

Laddie Northridge



I am already looking forward to the next concert. Hmmm, perhaps a few "swing music" dance lessons would be in order!

1940s tilt hat, from sad to Oo-La-La!

I recently found a 1940s tilt fuchsia hat just tossed in a corner at an antique shop. I took a close look to see if it would be a candidate for placement in  The Vintage Hat Shop.

I could see that it had good "bones" and a unique structure. Actually, I knew with a bit of work it could be a treasure!
I put it on my mannequin, Jo, for a good look--

  I never like to remove vintage veils but sometimes they just aren't repairable or attractive. Removal is the only option. So I got out my trusty seam-ripper and with the utmost care removed the velvet dotted veil.

The result is a striking tilt--a 1940s classic hat. The matching hat pin hardly was visible before, now it is the centerpiece of the forward toy tilt. 

Placed on the head at a jaunty tilt, the vintage hat exudes drama, elegance and a touch of class!

1940s fuchsia tilt

 


  Now I would say that is a hat with a load of  Oo-La-La!  Wouldn't you?!

Crochet your own 1940s tilt hat. Really??!

Tilt hats are among my favorite hats but I had not considered that many of them were hand crocheted in the 1940s. Not only did women crochet hats but purses to match.
Take a look at the styles offered in the Cordet Hat and Bag pattern book. No date is listed but the styles look to be from the mid 40s.

Vintage 1940s Hats at the Tea Party

Now, doesn't this look like a fun party from the 1940s? I love that each hat is a unique style.
But I wonder what is going on with the gal on the far right!  It looks like she forgot both her hat and her gloves.

1940s tilt hat, Texaco, cleanliness

Now you wouldn't think all those words would fit together in a blog title, would you?
But this Texaco add is just perfect!  In the advertisement the Mother is explaining to Betty that the Texaco dealers have now promised to provide "clean fully-equipped rest rooms at our stations."

 

Those of you that follow The Vintage Hat Shop know that I love 1940s tilt hats.

My guy is a vintage car enthusiast and Texaco is one of his favorite collectables.

And when we travel I have this obsession with  finding clean restrooms.

So I think this 1939 Better Homes and Gardens advertisement  is a keeper!