Until the 1960s, the headgear was also almost indispensable. But soon after, the hat looked pretty old. Today, the hat is no longer suitable for the masses. However, this is not an obituary.
But first – A quick throwback:
In Europe, hat fashion developed only from the 10th century and was introduced by the Saxons, who used a straw hat as a badge of their tribe. Simple models were in fashion. Later, in German-speaking countries, people wore mainly high, pointed hats with wide brims, which can still be seen today on some Tyrolean and Swiss traditional costumes.
It was not until 1800 that the playful, richly decorated hat fashion established itself on the so-called Schutenhüten. Their very wide brim overhung the face of the ladies and was tied below the chin with a ribbon.
In the 19th century, the hat fashion of the men increasingly gained in importance. Even political sentiments were expressed through men’s hats. Ladies were dominated by dainty little plate hats and small capottes that contrasted with the opulent dresses of the Empire.
It was not until 1900 that dresses became narrower and hats larger. Rich decorations by flowers, feathers and lace were fashionable and symbolized the wealth of the ladies. The exquisite Parisian hat fashion was particularly famous.
From 1920, the trend changed again and the toque, a hat in the shape of a bell or top, came into fashion. Women of the time were more independent, working and preferred practical clothing. The toque was pulled low over the head and conformed to the simple, straight lines of the fashion of the time.
When femininity came back in a big way in the 1930s, women preferred dainty, flat little hats that were put on at an angle. Hat fashion again became increasingly playful and extravagant.
In the Second World War, due to the ubiquitous uniforms, small shuttles also became fashionable for women. Since resources were scarce, hats, like most clothing, were often homemade.
This hat fashion of the 1940s was replaced by the headscarves of the rubble women.
The hats of the fifties were imaginative and varied. From teasing little caps to huge wagon wheel hats with eccentric decoration, almost anything was allowed.
But by the mid-1950s, hats began to go out of style.
For the next two decades, few hats were worn. Hats were only worn on special occasions or in defined contexts, such as traditional costume hats and sun hats. It was not until the 80s that headgear in the form of baseball caps got a new lease of life. This was followed by so-called beanies, bucket hats and the like.
Today hats have seemingly said goodbye to the street scenes. Until now.
Cheshire-born Stephen Jones has been designing high-end headwear since 1980. He entered the London fashion scene in the late 70s, studying at Central St. Martins by day and becoming an uncompromising stylist in the nightlife by night – always with an eye-catching hat on his head. So it’s only logical that together with G-Star RAW an exclusive headwear collection was created, the G-Star RAW x Stephen Jones Headwear Couture Denim Collection. The exclusive Denim Couture Capsule Unisex Collection, presented jointly by G-Star RAW and Stephen Jones, underlines the extraordinary art of both collaborators and combines the recurring fashion trend denim and legendary couture designs. The first five haute couture hats were already released on November 22.
Impressive, extravagant and innovative are the latest creations from British milliner Stephen Jones in cooperation with Dutch label G-Star RAW. Dramatic silhouettes combine exciting craftsmanship and signature denim expertise.
Jones anarchistic attitudes help him break the boundaries of simple denim design. But it turned out that the heavy denim presented a challenge even for the experienced milliner. In the process, the long lengths of fabric for the oversized hat designs took up his entire studio. The “Cape”, the “Sun Hat” and the “Hutturm” are definitely the most striking designs of the collection.
Chapeau!
