Terrific 1950s does Late Teens 1920s Toque Hat with Panne Velvet newest and Satin, about size 22

This hat is doing my head in (excuse the pun). First let me begin by saying it is too big for my 20.5 head mannequin. There are no labels or size and it is mostly too small for my 23 head (clarification on that later), so I would guess it is about a 22 size.

I think this is classed as a toque hat and dates from the 1950s but is an interpretation of an older hat. (Edit: just found a 1956 Vogue with pages on late teens influencing the fashion of 1956 and this shape is there. Known as a tall shako hat. My spidey senses were right on the dates of this one). When you are into vintage you scroll through hundreds of images a week it is hard to keep track of all the imagery and where you saw things. I can see this hat....I can see it worn two different ways. I can see it with an edwardian hobble skirt day outfit (although then I would have a long pheasant feather arcing out of it - easy to add) and I can see it with a very fitted pencil skirt 1950s suit. I just cannot now find images to reference it and be sure. I can also see it worn with a 1940s print dress and elbow length gloves or an 1980s interpretation of it. Once you start thinking about it, it is one of those hats that at first looks like a very specific style, but in fact can work for lots of different vintage looks. It can be worn a variety of ways. I think if you were going for a 1910's 1920s look, it would be tipped back on the head as shown on the mannequin. But if you wanted to do the 1950s, you could be more flexible. If I put this almost straight on my head, sitting down on my forehead, it does fit my 23 head. But if I angle it farther back on my head like on the mannequin, it is a bit small. This is why it is probably best for a 22 head (for all the options) You can experiment with tilting it to one side or the other, forward or back.

The colour combination is great and what attracted me to it. It has a slightly silvery beige panne velvet around the bottom and black at the top. This is that velvet that has a slightly longer pile so can look a bit fur like (but isn't). Around the body of the hat is a ruched band of coral satin. This came from large country estate so is a quality and well made. It has a band of grosgrain ribbon on the newest inside rim and is lined.

The construction of the hat is in near excellent condition, but it is a bit worn. The fabric is in great shape. There is no fade at all. The silvery beige velvet is possibly a bit more grey than it was originally. Not hugely noticeable but when you look at it closely you can see. There are marks one the inside rim, especially where some wire runs around the edge. You do not see this at all when worn. Also the hat had been a bit crushed when I got it and there was (and is) a crease running diagonally down one side. It was a lot worse. I steamed and reblocked this (as best as I could...I only have one hat block). That worked quite well in getting its shape back and it feels strong and solid. But you can still see slightly the crease (photo 6 and 7). It does look worse in the photos than it is in real life, but it is there. However, this is still a most excellent hat. I love the colour. I think this is the type of hat you would wear with a black or dark grey suit and the only colour is on the hat like a punctuation mark for your outfit. It has been gently priced due to its flaws, but it is totally wearable and looks great.

Please zoom in on photos to see condition. And feel free to ask me any questions.

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