Loading Spinner

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

See all items

LOT OF VINTAGE HATS
Dec 11, 6:00 PM EST
LOT OF VINTAGE HATS
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$102 Bids
LOT OF VINTAGE HATS
Dec 11, 6:00 PM EST
LOT OF VINTAGE HATS
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$102 Bids
Chanel Sport Cream Bobble Beanie - Size S
Dec 05, 10:00 AM GMT
Chanel Sport Cream Bobble Beanie - Size S
by Chiswick Auctions
Est: £70- £100
£402 Bids
ZZ TOP | DUSTY HILL VOGT HAT BAND
Dec 08, 10:00 AM CST
ZZ TOP | DUSTY HILL VOGT HAT BAND
by Julien's Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1002 Bids
(3) 1930'S GERMAN PAPER HALLOWEEN HATS
Dec 01, 10:00 AM EST
(3) 1930'S GERMAN PAPER HALLOWEEN HATS
by John McInnis Auctioneers
Est: $150- $300
$751 Bid
Black Wool Wide Brim Hat
Dec 13, 10:00 AM EST
Black Wool Wide Brim Hat
by The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc.
Est: $20- $60
$11 Bid
Two Ladies Fur Hats
Dec 02, 10:00 AM CST
Two Ladies Fur Hats
by Link Auction Galleries
Est: $100- $150
$501 Bid
Loro Piana cashmere raccoon trapper hat
Dec 07, 10:00 AM EST
Loro Piana cashmere raccoon trapper hat
by Millea Bros Ltd
Est: $150- $250
$701 Bid
Tashkent Man's Hat, Early 20th C.
Dec 04, 11:00 AM EST
Tashkent Man's Hat, Early 20th C.
by Material Culture
Est: $200- $500
$1001 Bid
Jenny Holzer, Trucker Hats (from the Survival Series), set of three
Dec 07, 11:00 AM CST
Jenny Holzer, Trucker Hats (from the Survival Series), set of three
by Wright
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$501 Bid
LOT OF VINTAGE HATS
Dec 11, 6:00 PM EST
LOT OF VINTAGE HATS
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
LOT OF VINTAGE HATS
Dec 11, 6:00 PM EST
LOT OF VINTAGE HATS
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
LOT OF VINTAGE HATS
Dec 11, 6:00 PM EST
LOT OF VINTAGE HATS
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Two vintage iconic wool and felt hats
Dec 11, 10:00 AM AEDT
Two vintage iconic wool and felt hats
by Gibson's
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD601 Bid
Black Mink Fur Hat
Dec 13, 10:00 AM EST
Black Mink Fur Hat
by The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc.
Est: $50- $150
$11 Bid
Antique & Vintage Hats, Feathers, & Accessories
Dec 17, 3:00 PM PST
Antique & Vintage Hats, Feathers, & Accessories
by Clark's Auction Company
Est: $100- $200
$401 Bid
Handmade Seymour Cat handmade pink and plum unisex 100% mercerized cotton heart hem beanie hat
Dec 11, 10:30 AM EST
Handmade Seymour Cat handmade pink and plum unisex 100% mercerized cotton heart hem beanie hat
by Figlio Designs LLC
Est: $250- $400
$700 Bids
Handmade wavy optical illusion 3D red yellow white unisex 100% cotton beanie hat
Dec 11, 10:30 AM EST
Handmade wavy optical illusion 3D red yellow white unisex 100% cotton beanie hat
by Figlio Designs LLC
Est: $250- $400
$750 Bids
Zwei Hüte von der Couture-Modistin Elke Martensen
Dec 03, 10:30 AM CET
Zwei Hüte von der Couture-Modistin Elke Martensen
by Kunstauktionshaus Schloss Ahlden
Est: €240- €480
€2400 Bids
Zwei Hüte von der Couture-Modistin Elke Martensen
Dec 03, 10:30 AM CET
Zwei Hüte von der Couture-Modistin Elke Martensen
by Kunstauktionshaus Schloss Ahlden
Est: €240- €480
€2400 Bids
Collection Vintage Beaded, Velvet Vest, Collars, Hats
Dec 07, 6:00 PM CST
Collection Vintage Beaded, Velvet Vest, Collars, Hats
by Rivich Auction
Est: $200- $300
$500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Women's Hats


Kerry Taylor Auctions

Kerry Taylor Auctions

Atlee Raber Auctioneer

Atlee Raber Auctioneer

Julien's Auctions

Julien's Auctions

Figlio Designs LLC

Figlio Designs LLC