Hats From History

I love hats. Especially historical hats. If I think they are beautiful, unusual, or interesting I'll put them up here. I also post fashion plates daily at damesalamode.tumblr.com

[hatsfromhistory]

Hello, I am a painter and was hoping to do a piece about The Highwayman a poem by Alfred Noyes. I was wondering if you would have any input in the type of hat he describes him wearing, he writes "He'd a French cocked-hat on his forehead" I know it's not much to go on but if you have any suggestions as to what it would look like, I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Sure thing!  A "cocked hat" is the actual term for what we- today- call a tricorne.  Here are a few examples I've posted:

http://hatsfromhistory.tumblr.com/tagged/cocked-hat

And here's a picture of my berfran wearing his cocked at "on his forehead" or at a rakish, daring angle:

This picture taking by the amazingly talented Drifting Focus

More power to the cocked hat!  Highwaymen are the jam!

[honeyandlavender]

Jane Eyre (2006)

[hatsfromhistory]

Is it my imagination or is this also the bonnet worn frequently in Becoming Jane, perhaps with a jauntier tilt?

http://periodxdramas.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/2007_becoming_jane_002.jpg

What do you think?

[hatsfromhistory]

Ed note:  This is a submission!  Thanks for finding and showing us this lovely plate, Elizabeth!  

Taylor,

Have you seen this one from KA? http://www.antique-fashion.com/Antique-Fashion/home.htm

On the sidebar, click Ephemera. It's #1201P3  Fashion Print   c. 1825-1830

[a-l-ancien-regime]

The interrupted sleep

Francois Boucher: 1750

Style: Rococo

Genre: pastorale

[hatsfromhistory]

By Charles Bretherton, 1782, via the British Museum. 

(Thanks to sew18thcentury.com for posting this!)

[hatsfromhistory]

"The Bumless Beauties" 1788 probably by Thomas Rowlandson, The Lewis Walpole Library

(Thanks to sew18thcentury.com for posting this!)

[hatsfromhistory]

Lucy of Leinster by William Ward, 1788, via Donald Heald. 

I love Lucy!

From Donald Heald: 

"A sweet portrait of Thomas Tickell's heroine "Lucy of Leinster," engraved by the celebrated engraver William Ward.

William Ward is remembered as one of the most accomplished engravers of his day. He produced some of the most beautiful prints of the period, and his delicate engravings epitomize the style and sentiment of the age. Ward was primarily a mezzotint engraver but he also worked in stipple, executing hauntingly delicate prints that capture the soul and character of their subject. He studied under John Raphael Smith and quickly became one of his most distinguished pupils, incorporating his master's delicate technique into his own distinctive style. Along with his brother James, William was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy and soon earned the privilege of becoming mezzotint engraver to the prince regent. This delicate image recalls the style of Ward's master John Raphael Smith, who made a name for himself with his subtly suggestive portraits of women. Ward's pretty portrait depicts the tragic heroine "Lucy of Leinster" from Thomas Tickell's ballad "Lucy and Colin." In Tickell's sad work, Colin abandoned Lucy for a wealthier bride. Lucy died on her lover's wedding day and, pursuant to her request, was brought to the church. Upon seeing his true love's body, Colin succumbed to death as well, and the lovers were buried in the same tomb."

[hatsfromhistory]

A Party Angling and the Angler's Repast, engravings after George Morland, 1789 via Donald Heald. 

Y'all, those are some pretty amazing hats all around.  If I didn't have white guilt because of the presence of that poor slave, I would desperately want to recreate this whole scene.  

More about Angling from Donald Heald: 

"A pair of the most famous fishing prints after George Morland, the master of English genre painting.

During the eighteenth century punt fishing became a very fashionable sport, gentlemen and ladies gathered in droves to enjoy this popular outdoor pursuit. Morland was so struck with the charm of this pastime that he quickly rendered it on to canvas, thus creating two of his most cherished paintings. The two fashionable ladies pictured in the paintings are in fact Morland and Ward's wives, while the gentlemen are John Raphael Smith and the engraver himself."

[damesalamode]

Fashions of London and Paris, Head Dresses, October 1805. 

Proof that basic black doesn’t have to be boring!  My favorite is actually the little tiara on the bottom right!

[beyondthegoblincity]

Lady in white gown with red shawl and straw hat by Gustav Friedrich Amalius Taubert, 1797

[hatsfromhistory]

Gold and Cryshoprase Tiara, 1838, Victoria and Albert Museum.

I want it.

[hatsfromhistory]

Turban, 1820-1835, Victoria and Albert Museum

I love the combination of textures and colors in this turban!  Velvet is one of those fabrics that I generally dislike because it is almost overwhelmingly rich (like a piece of cake with too much icing), but I love seeing little hints of it paired with a nice crisp silk.  The contrast is lovely. 

[mesbeauxarts-blog]

Robert Lefevre. Portrait of Pauline Bonaparte, Princess Borghese. 1809.

Oil on canvas.

Château de Malmaison. Rueil-Malmaison, France.

[historyofeurope]

In 1884 Queen Victoria traveled to Coburg, Germany for a relative’s wedding.

Here she is during that trip pictured among members of her large family including such prominent figures as the future Edward VII, the future King George V, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the German dowager Empress Friedrich, the future Tsar Nicholas and Alexandra of Russia, and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany.

[legrandcirque]

London Lafayette, Portrait of Frances Evelyn Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick, 1906.

[damesalamode]

Fashions of London and Paris, London Head Dresses, April 1799. 

These are adorable little things!

[vivelareine]

A watercolor over chalk and graphite by Alexandre Moitte depicting Louis Charles, dauphin of France, at the Fete de la Federation in 1790. His mother, Marie Antoinette, had him dressed in a small uniform resembling those of the National Guard.