How To: Shop Vintage Hats

As any vintage connoisseur in the Twin Cities knows, Blacklist Vintage carries a fantastically edited selection of vintage hats. I recently spoke with Blacklist Vintage owners Jennifer Mumm and Vanessa Messersmith about what they look for when choosing hats for their shop. If you aren’t lucky enough to have a store like Blacklist Vintage nearby- with a selection of stylish and quality vintage hats, then fear not. With the help of Blacklist I have created a mini-guide to shopping for them on your own. The key to vintage hat shopping is in knowing the design elements from each decade as this will help you determine which hat fits your personal style.
20’s
Hats in the 20’s were worn low on the head and often framed the face. Popular styles in the 20’s were cloches with face framing brims, skull caps and beaded headbands fitted for the crown of the head. Look for a lot of sequins, details and beadwork.
30’s
30’s styles often played off of the 20’s influence and were small in design but worn high on the head. Hat designs featured more feminine curves influenced by biased cut fabrics. 20’s and 30’s styles in impeccable condition are harder to come by, so if you find one that works for you, don’t let it pass you by!
40’s
The hats of the 40’s are preferred by Blacklist’s owners who say that 40’s styles are often the most wearable and unique. 40’s styles come with a comfort band that can be adjusted in the back of the hat to allow for the dramatic tilting of the hat over one’s eyes or so the hats can be worn at the crown of the head.
Characteristics of 40’s hats are often dramatic styles with feathers and sculptural shapes with dark colors such as navy, brown, black and purple.
50’s
The 50’s featured a lot of headbands with fabric overlays worn tight at the crown of the head. A lot of post-war bright colors were seen in 50’s styles, and netting can be found on a lot of the designs.
If you are looking for a late 50s/early 60’s outfit to wear to the upcoming Mad Men Season 3 Premiere Event this Sunday, Tatters is offering a 10% discount for your purchase and Blacklist Vintage and Up Six Vintage are offering 15% off your outfit if you mention the premiere.
60’s
The 60’s featured a lot of pillbox hats (ala Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis) as well as turbans and very tall hats that sit high on the head as they were meant to be worn over the large bouffant hairstyles of the decade.
Blacklist advises that all styles can be modernized by simply styling vintage hats in your own unique way. They encourage that you try them on backwards or tilt them to get a feel for what looks best on you. Blacklist will be showcasing their accessories, hats, and even be debuting a few of their fall hats to try and buy during the upcoming Satorialist Book Release Party. The party will feature the opportunity to top-off your “street style†look with Blacklist Vintage pieces for photo’s at the event.
Photo features Blacklist hats for each decade from the 20’s through the 80’s starting clockwise top left.