1870's Hat

[Clare Louise]

Hi everyone,

I would like some constructive feedback about the hat I have just made. I need a hat for my 1875 Polonaise outfit and came up with this 'creation'. Has it got too much stuff on top?! Does it need more around the sides?! I think I've been looking at it too long but to me it doesn't seem right.

[Miss Cindy]

I am not able to give you any advice. I don't know what is proper.
But I had to comment to let you know that I think your hat is pretty.

[smt22]

I really love the shape of your hat, and the decorations you have done so far! How did you do that awesome black ruching? And I really like the braid around the underside too.

As to whether it needs any further decorations around the sides, I can see what you mean, but it's hard to say from just looking at the hat by itself. It depends on things like the shape of your face and your hairstyle, and the overall look of your outfit. If you have quite a long face then the hat as it is might accentuate that, wheras if you have a round face the height on top could balance it perfectly!

My suggestion would be to try it on with the whole outfit and then see what you think

[Clare Louise]

Thanks for the advise. I have tried it on and I think the problem is I just don't suit hats! My face is already long so the height of this probably makes things worse. I will however do my hair up properly and maybe with some oomph out the sides it might balance things out a bit!?
The ruching is actually a raisin brown colour and I made it by making a tube of fabric to give a finished width of about 2.5inches, it is tapered at the front end, then I hand gathered it up the centre. There is one either side.

- Clare

* Edited to add pics

[smt22]

I actually think it looks great on you! I love the way the streamers look going over your hair at the back.

[elensari]

I liked it from the first, but on you; it is lovely! You did a marvelous job, and I think you look exactly Victorian. If this matches your dress, then the colors are great for you. Thanks for sharing!

~Kelly

[MaryGode]

I agree, it's a lovely hat and it looks nice on your head.

If I was to add more to the hat I might add a little fluff around the crown, like a scarf of chiffon or tulle or something like that, but I like it how is is in your photos.

[Rhiarti]

Absolutely agree with the others - you look fabulous in it! Really beautiful job, and suits you perfectly.

[David H Smith]

I think it looks really good, perhaps you should post a picture with the complete outfit, just so we can all judge the hat in perspective!

[Helena]

It looks great on you!

[Clare Louise]

I don't have any full length pics for some reason! But here is my hat with the polonaise outfit I made.

[smt22]

Oh wow, love it!

[David H Smith]

Yay, looks fantastic with the whole effect of the dress. You even have a piano with sconces in the background, that was manufactured about the turn of the century, in Burr walnut........sorry just my own trade coming out here!

[Val]

Its beautiful, and you have it tilted forward just right!

[Clare Louise]

Why thank you. I love making hats - Ijust wish I could be taught how to make them properly, but getting better with each one I do!

[David H Smith]

I tried to get information on the techniques of hatting from a museum devoted to it in Manchester, England. However there seems to be very little available as most of the methods were handed down from father to sons/daughters and seldom written down. Most all seem to start with a felt 'dome' steamed over a head block then hardened with a 'sizing' liquid to hold the basic form. Aside from straw type woven hats, the basic method was used from the 'tri-corn' to the bowler, stetson,trilby and pill box hat I would assume........a wallpaper steamer works well as long as you don't scald yourself....!