ELEGANT 1950s' BLACK STRAW COCKTAIL HAT WITH BEADED STRAW "LEAVES"

This is a very elegant black straw hat that is shaped so it hugs a variety of head sizes. The asymmetrical shape is adorned with straw "leaves" with black beads of several shapes and sizes. Daytime hats were de rigueur for women in the 1930s, except for more formal late afternoon events (art openings, cocktail parties, tea dances etc.) when a daytime hat just did not work with a cocktail dress. When Hollywood costume designers Elsa Schiaparelli and Mr. John paired a new, smaller hat with cocktail dresses in several movies, women of fashion around the world eagerly followed suit. Cocktail hats reached the height of their popularity during the 1950s. There is no designer label, indicating it was a custom-made creation. Please do not expect perfection! This is an authentic piece of fashion history! This hat is in wonderful vintage condition & has been lovingly preserved among over 1300 vintage hats we have collected for 40+ years. Feathers, straw, furs, flowers & veils are fragile, given their age. Mannequin not for sale.