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Women's Hats

For centuries, a woman was not considered fully dressed unless she wore a hat, and there was a time when no self-respecting lady ventured outside the home with her head bare. As that is no longer the case, the evolution of women's hats coincides with both fashion evolution and social change.

At the turn of the twentieth century, bird feathers were frequently featured in ornamental hats before a protest movement gave rise to the Audubon Society. In the Roaring Twenties, cloches were de rigueur for women who appreciated the deep, close fit that kept them in place while on the dance floor. The '30s Surrealist movement's obsession with geometrical forms heavily influenced hat styles as well

By the '40s, silk-veiled chapeaus gained favor as ideal pairings for fishnet stockings. The arrival of the '50s brought much smaller hats like those styled after Jacqueline Kennedy's fashionable pill-box hat, which were universally worn with A-line dresses. And as the feminist movement, and beehive hairstyle, rose in the '60s, millinery faded as women ditched their headgear.

In the minds of many, the hat is an afterthought in the world of style, but for connoisseurs, a well-made hat still sits atop the list of must-have accessories. Modern-day hatmaker offerings and auctions featuring vintage women's hats satisfy their predilection for stylish headwear.


Quick Facts

  • French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's signature two-cornered hat, mirroring the bicorn style worn by women through the Edwardian era, sold at auction in 2014 for $2.4 million
  • The high conical hat worn by the Wicked Witch of the West character in "The Wizard of Oz" sold at a Profiles in History auction in 2010 for $200,000
  • In June 2015, a black velvet hat by Montaldo's that belonged to Marilyn Monroe sold at a Julien's auction for $3,520

Recommended Items at Auction

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VINTAGE MID 19TH CENTURY LORD AND TAYLOR FUR HAT
Apr 30, 9:00 AM EDT
VINTAGE MID 19TH CENTURY LORD AND TAYLOR FUR HAT
by Affiliated Auctions & Realty LLC
Est: $50- $100
$101 Bid
Borsalino straw hat, 1990s - 2000s
May 02, 3:00 PM CEST
Borsalino straw hat, 1990s - 2000s
by De Francesco Casa D'Aste e Galleria
Est: €180- €200
€600 Bids
Linzer Goldhaube Trachtenhaube 20th century
Apr 26, 10:00 AM CEST
Linzer Goldhaube Trachtenhaube 20th century
by Auktionshaus Wimberger
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids
Headgear bonnets velvet traditional costume 2 pieces 19th century
Apr 26, 10:00 AM CEST
Headgear bonnets velvet traditional costume 2 pieces 19th century
by Auktionshaus Wimberger
Est: €0- €0
€400 Bids
Traditional traditional costume headdress from Eastern Europe
Apr 26, 10:00 AM CEST
Traditional traditional costume headdress from Eastern Europe
by Auktionshaus Wimberger
Est: €0- €0
€1200 Bids
Vintage Italian Feluca Goliardica Hat, German Oktoberfest Alpine Hat
Apr 27, 1:00 PM EDT
Vintage Italian Feluca Goliardica Hat, German Oktoberfest Alpine Hat
by Hoch LTD.
Est: $50- $100
$200 Bids
Three designer fascinators.
May 01, 10:00 AM BST
Three designer fascinators.
by Kinghams Auctioneers
Est: £30- £50
£250 Bids
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Yves Saint Laurent Woven hat
Apr 19, 9:00 AM EDT
Yves Saint Laurent Woven hat
by Keystone Auctions LLC
Est: $70- $90
$250 Bids
ADOLFO REALITIES WHITE WOOL HAT WITH RHINESTONES
Apr 27, 5:00 PM EDT
ADOLFO REALITIES WHITE WOOL HAT WITH RHINESTONES
by DejaVu Estate Sales & Auctions
Est: $30- $50
$100 Bids
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Beret , diameter 17 cm approximately
May 07, 2:00 PM AEST
Beret , diameter 17 cm approximately
by Shapiro Auctioneers
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD800 Bids
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Philip Treacy London Two Hats, internal head band approximately 16cm x 18 cm; brim diameter 44cm
May 07, 2:00 PM AEST
Philip Treacy London Two Hats, internal head band approximately 16cm x 18 cm; brim diameter 44cm
by Shapiro Auctioneers
Est: AUD200- AUD400
AUD1000 Bids
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Vintage Hats for Men and Women w/ Wool, Faux Fur
Apr 19, 9:00 AM EDT
Vintage Hats for Men and Women w/ Wool, Faux Fur
by Keystone Auctions LLC
Est: $40- $80
$250 Bids
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Lilly Dache for Bonwit Teller Mink Fur Hat
May 04, 12:00 PM EDT
Lilly Dache for Bonwit Teller Mink Fur Hat
by Lion and Unicorn
Est: $30- $200
$200 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Women's Hats


Auktionshaus Wimberger

Auktionshaus Wimberger

Shapiro Auctioneers

Shapiro Auctioneers

Keystone Auctions LLC

Keystone Auctions LLC

Affiliated Auctions & Realty LLC

Affiliated Auctions & Realty LLC