This hat is more than a little fantastical! The felt crown has that great 1940s, tailored envelope hat shape with a band of applied faux lizard trim. It's very sharp. But it’s the halo ring that is really eye-catching. This is also brown felt, with matching felt flowers that form a halo from the front and make a great side view, too. A really wonderful detail. A perfect hat for a 1940s suit or winter dress.

Label: Betty Co-Ed 100% wool Henry Pollack made in U.S.A. New York

Condition: excellent

Size: Percher style with circular clamp, one size fits most. Overall: 7” X 5 ½”.

 Marvelous 1920s Peach Silk Crepe Cloche

This early 1920s adorable peach silk crepe de chine structured cloche has wonderful details. The large flowers that surround the deep seamed crown are made up of ruched crepe de chine with ribbon embroidery abd rose floss french knots. The small upturned brim has leaves of the same ruching and ribbon. Truly sweet. Original striped silk lining in great conditon.

Label: none

Condition: light wear at the interior of brim as center back.

Size: crown : 21 1/2" - 22".  

Price:  $255

This medium  green  felt hat with light olive tones from the 1940s has an unusual design element of two large sweeping leaves or points assembled and arranged on the crown. A very striking and effective way to add interest to the basic wide brim coolie shape.

Label: none

Condition: Very Good. Elastic has stretched out. Light spots on underside of brim.

Size: labeled a 23. Crown: 21 Ό”, Overall: 12” X 12”.

Navy & White Frank Olive Wide Brim Straw Spring Hat

This big brim Frank Olive hat is a simple classic in navy and white. It’s the high grade straw Mr. Olive used for his spring and summer hats. These were always a hit here in the spring because they are perfect for Kentucky Derby wear. They are comfortable, yet substantial enough to not blow away in the breeze, or reshape themselves in the wind. This hat could go with almost anything - dress, suit, navy, white, red, yellow. You get the idea.

Label: Frank Olive from My Private Collection

Condition: Excellent, light soil at inside crown edge

Size: Crown: 21” Brim: 17” X 17”.

This quirky pillbox toque hat from Leslie James delights one with a moveable deelybobber?doodad? of felt discs and pearls. The fur felt is the most wonderful soft texture in a true brown. The decor is a tower of pearls and matching felt discs with a base of felt discs in pink, green and melon. This piece is wired and swings with every move. This hat may be subdued in color, but it is definitely not for the shrinking violet. As to Leslie James, we have seen this trademarked label in always interesting, quality hats from the 1940s to 1960s, and often accompanied by store labels from all around the USA.

Labels: Leslie James and Ruth Gallin Exclusives Schenley-Gordon Louisville, KY

Condition: Excellent..

Size: crown 21”, Height 7”.

Order # H110MB

This is a magnificent 1920s wide brim cloche in link crepe de chine silk with a padded crown and lavender straw woven brim. The crown is embellished with both silk floss and silk ribbon embroidery and a purple velvet band, and the brim has both the textured straw and a smooth horsehair band to soften the brim edge.

Label: Alwyn Hats New York and Paris

Condition: Very Good. Light spotting around brim where the wire has gotten moist. Lining is shattering.

Size: Crown: 20”, Brim: 16” x 14 ½’.

This romantic New York Creation wide brim hat from the 1950s would work well from spring to fall. It has the open crown of large scale mesh often seen in these warmer weather 1950s hats, with a deep brim of straw. The brim edge is shaped to curl under, giving it a graceful line. The crown is finished with a wide grosgrain band with back tail.

Label: The Stewart Dry Goods Company Inc. Louisville, KY and A New York Creation

Condition: Excellent. No holes or stains, no signs of wear.

Size: Crown: 20 Ύ”, Brim: 16 ½” X 16”.

Wonderful wide brim early 1950s hat. This is a chocolate brown horsehair braid with round crown and slightly rippled brim edge. The velvet cords rouleau cords and brim piping adds a textural contrast that is quite pleasing.

Condition: Excellent. No holes or stains, no signs of wear.

Size: labeled a 22. Crown: 20 ½”, Brim 16” X 16”.

There is no way around it. This is a serious hat. It’s an Edwardian Mourning hat ca 1910 from a local estate. Not every black hat was intended for mourning wear. Add enough jet and spangles, and a hat leaves mourning behind and becomes fashionable. However, this hat is horsehair braid interspersed with black crepe. So it’s intended for wear during the first period of mourning and perfect for those who wish to do a period impression. The base is wire with the original lining.

Condition: Very Good, losses to horsehair braid on under brim. No stains, holes.

Size: Crown: 19”, Brim: 15” X 13 ½”

I admit this is quirky, but in a very dramatic way. This black velvet brimless hat has a high peak and tall, straight sides. The back is set off with a large bow. It has very sturdy construction with the original lining. This another treat from a Louisville, KY estate. Please note that this hat has been very difficult to date due to the odd style. But the lining, construction and fabric, plus a few consultations, have led me to finally place this in the Teens.

Condition: Excellent. No holes or stains, no signs of wear.

Size: Crown: 20 Ύ”

Order # SH7

I do love these shoes. Thanks to Jonathan Walford, of Kickshaw Productions and the author of The Seductive Shoe, I can tell you they are a late 1950s variation on the classic 1930s ladies leather oxford with Cuban heels and a mesh vamp. The Greek key design is what gets me. These do lace up and the laces are original. They come from a fine local ladies department store.

Label: Byck’s St. Mattews Louisville Lexington

Condition: Very, very good. These were worn quite a bit, but look great. There is just the one small ding on a heel as shown and some dinginess as one would expect with white shoes.

Size: Labeled an 8½ AAA. Length: 10 Ό”, Width on outside: 3”, Heel: 2 3/8”.