UNUSUAL 1950s' BLACK STRAW "PANCAKE" TAM WITH GROSGRAIN BAND & FABRIC FLOWERS

This black straw "pancake" tam from the 1950s' is quite unusual and creative. The circular flimsy structure has a grosgrain band at the bottom, which ends in a steam at the back. The top of the hat is trimmed Sith beautiful fabric flowers in reds, pink and white, plus a few green leaves. At the bottom back of the hat there are more matching fabric flowers. A tam, short for Tam O’ Shanter, is a soft, voluminous round hat, usually with a round seam that joins the flat crown to the sides. Tams often have a band around the bottom that gathers in the voluminous crown and secures the hat to the head of its wearer. Throughout the 1950s, ladies wore hats daily as a part of their attire as was a pair of gloves. Post war 1940’s and 1950’s saw many women choosing not to wear hats on a regular basis. To preserve its market, the millinery industry set about creating variety and extravagance. Generally speaking hats remained small and close to the head. They were now touted as the essential accessory to complete the ensemble. Alternatively, ‘pancake’, ‘mushroom’ or ‘cart wheel’ hats sat flat atop the head reviving turn of the century styles. There is no label, indicating it was a custom-made creation. 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.