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Hats: A History of Fashion in Headwear
“One must always wear a hat when lunching with people whom one does not know well,” observed Coco Chanel, “because one appears to one's best advantage.” The couturier' s regard for the power of hats to confer dignity and attractiveness upon the wearer stems from a long historical tradition. In addition to its practical uses — warding off the effects of harsh weather or an enemy’s assault, for example — a stylish hat has always made a statement of rank, elegance, or self-esteem.
This remarkable book presents an illustrated view of 2,000 years of head coverings. Over 800 drawings by the author — adapted from rare paintings, sculptures, and illustrations — accurately depict headgear in various aspects, including gender, class, and nationality. Crowns, wigs, tiaras, and helmets appear among the varied forms of headdresses, which include conical leather caps worn by the Danes in 70 B.C.; metal Viking helmets with horns; feathered Flemish berets (1410); petite straw hats, adorned with a rosette and ribbons (1870); handsome English top hats (1957); as well as ecclesiastical regalia, traditional and ethnic styles, and hats and head adornments from far beyond the European shores.
Organized chronologically by century, the fetching drawings appear alongside an interpretive text that documents the development of styles, their changes with the passage of time, and the influences that both created and altered them. Engaging and literate, this valuable reference for designers, art students, and costume historians will also captivate anyone who appreciates the age-old allure of a fine hat.
This remarkable book presents an illustrated view of 2,000 years of head coverings. Over 800 drawings by the author — adapted from rare paintings, sculptures, and illustrations — accurately depict headgear in various aspects, including gender, class, and nationality. Crowns, wigs, tiaras, and helmets appear among the varied forms of headdresses, which include conical leather caps worn by the Danes in 70 B.C.; metal Viking helmets with horns; feathered Flemish berets (1410); petite straw hats, adorned with a rosette and ribbons (1870); handsome English top hats (1957); as well as ecclesiastical regalia, traditional and ethnic styles, and hats and head adornments from far beyond the European shores.
Organized chronologically by century, the fetching drawings appear alongside an interpretive text that documents the development of styles, their changes with the passage of time, and the influences that both created and altered them. Engaging and literate, this valuable reference for designers, art students, and costume historians will also captivate anyone who appreciates the age-old allure of a fine hat.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 6, 2012
This is one of those fashion histories that consists of a lot of the author's re-drawings of old art images, with explanatory text. At least Ms. Amphlett gives her sources (many of the people who decide to make a costume book like this don't), but oh, dear, such sources: "F. W. Fairholt's 'Costume in England'" (another costume book?), "From a dress or fashion plate", "From a contemporary lead soldier" (?!?).
I'm sure Ms. Amphlett meant well, but this sort of "I'm going to draw a lot of cool fashions all by myself for a history" book is all too common, and lacking in any utility. What does it tell us about these hats? Not how they were made, nor what they were made of, nor how they were thought of, nor their social import, nor how to make them, nor even, truly, what they looked like. All it tells us is what she thought she was looking at when she looked at other people's images of people wearing hats.
I'm sure Ms. Amphlett meant well, but this sort of "I'm going to draw a lot of cool fashions all by myself for a history" book is all too common, and lacking in any utility. What does it tell us about these hats? Not how they were made, nor what they were made of, nor how they were thought of, nor their social import, nor how to make them, nor even, truly, what they looked like. All it tells us is what she thought she was looking at when she looked at other people's images of people wearing hats.
September 12, 2016
Lots of hats but I wanted colour photos so I was a bit disappointed.
The book has many drawings of hats through the ages and commentary on fashions of the times. Mostly european but there is a section on hats and headgear from around the world.
The book has many drawings of hats through the ages and commentary on fashions of the times. Mostly european but there is a section on hats and headgear from around the world.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews