ELEGANT 1950s' BROWN VELOUR TOQUE WITH BEAD/PEARL "LEAVES' + BROWN FEATHER TRIM

This 1950s' chocolate brown velour felt toque is such an elegant example of the fashions of the day. It is an oblong shaped rounded crown with beads and pearl covered "leaves" on one side, which help in keeping the hat in place. There is also a matching veil and short brown ostrich feathers on top. This elegant hat is considered a 'cocktail hat'. A toque is small cap or bonnet having a narrow brim or no brim at all. Toques were popular from the 13th to the 16th century in Europe, especially France. The mode was revived in the 1930s. History of the cocktail hat: 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. Label: JOAL, New York. 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, flowers & veils are fragile, given their age. Mannequin not for sale.