Hat
PeriodCirca 1950-1960
Place MadeU.S.A.
MediumDyed straw, cotton velvet, wire
Dimensions9 × 14 in. (22.9 × 35.6 cm)
ClassificationsCostume, Women's
Credit LineGift of the Walling Family, 2009
Object number2024.513
DescriptionA woman's hat of vivid dyed red straw, braided and shaped into a conical shape, with a slightly rounded pointed crown and a flared, slightly bell-shaped brim. The interior of the hat includes a fitted red cotton velvet band with a wire armature to rest on the wearer's head and keep the hat in the proper position.Curatorial RemarksThis bold and eye-catching woman's hat echoes the wildly popular hats of Christian Dior's "New Look," introduced immediately after the end of World War II. During the war years, countries including the United States and Great Britain curtailed the amount of fabric used in men's and women's suits, coats, and jackets in an attempt to ration fabrics. After the war, these restrictions were lifted, resulting in an explosion of wide skirts, generously cut jackets and suits, and much else. As part of Dior's New Look, accessories played an important role. Hats were part of almost any woman's wardrobe. Inexpensive versions of designer or haute couture hats could be purchased reasonably from department stores and mail order catalogues. This particular hat, made sometime in the early 1950s, reveals the popular Asian influence of the time period. The conical shape resembled the ethnic headwear in many Southeast Asian countries. Known in the West as "coolie" hats - a term now often considered derogatory - this traditional headwear was worn during the day as work gear, while ornamented and decorated examples were worn for festivals and gatherings.NotesThis bright and fashionable hat came from the Walling family of Sea Girt.
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