Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Men's Hats

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Nanette
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Joined: 8/01/06
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Posts: 399

Topic: Men's Hats
Posted: 1/11/08 at 12:57pm

Why, oh why, can one easily find historical refreneces to ladies fashion, but very little on what the men wore? I know that male fashion doesn't change much, but I'm hoping someone can direct me to a site on men's headwear.

Specifically, I'm costuming Prof. Bhaer in 'Little Women' and don't want to put him in a top hat like everyone else, but can find no reference to other headwear. Anyone out there know if the European men (1863-ish) might have worn a boller/Derby hat?

Thanks!

In a world of margarine, be butter!

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Linda S
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Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:19pm

http://www.costumegallery.com/research.htm

http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store/hats.php

I like these two sites. You have subscribe to the Costume Gallery to get some stuff.

Linda

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vickifrank
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Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:41pm

Start with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1860s_in_fashion where if you look in the women's article you see a man wearing a straw hat, and the men's section you see the usual top hats.

Here's a store that sells victorian clothing it shows several styles for men's hats in the 1860s: http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store/hats.php

I'd consider the coachman's hat (shorter than a top hat) or the derby...and 'yes' the derby is appropriate here's a quote from the last web site that I cited above:

"Americans call it a derby, after the Earl of Derby who helped popularize it. Englishmen know it as a bowler due to it's shape. Either way, this style of hat was first introduced in the early-1850's in England by Mr. Coke. It crossed the pond to America in the 1860's and remained popular well past the turn of the century.Americans call it a derby, after the Earl of Derby who helped popularize it. Englishmen know it as a bowler due to it's shape. Either way, this style of hat was first introduced in the early-1850's in England by Mr. Coke. It crossed the pond to America in the 1860's and remained popular well past the turn of the century."

_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

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Nanette
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Posts: 399

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:09pm

Thank you both for your help. :o)

In a world of margarine, be butter!

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oldactress
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Joined: 12/06/07
Location: United States
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Posted: 1/14/08 at 10:03am

Dover books has a whole series of books and also paper dolls century by century which are a great reference for men, women and children.

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Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup

Author	Message
Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Topic: Men's Hats Posted: 1/11/08 at 12:57pm
	Why, oh why, can one easily find historical refreneces to ladies fashion, but very little on what the men wore? I know that male fashion doesn't change much, but I'm hoping someone can direct me to a site on men's headwear. Specifically, I'm costuming Prof. Bhaer in 'Little Women' and don't want to put him in a top hat like everyone else, but can find no reference to other headwear. Anyone out there know if the European men (1863-ish) might have worn a boller/Derby hat? Thanks!
	In a world of margarine, be butter!

	IP Logged

Linda S Celebrity Joined: 4/16/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 312	Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:19pm
	http://www.costumegallery.com/research.htm http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store/hats.php I like these two sites. You have subscribe to the Costume Gallery to get some stuff. Linda
	IP Logged

vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:41pm
	Start with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1860s_in_fashion where if you look in the women's article you see a man wearing a straw hat, and the men's section you see the usual top hats. Here's a store that sells victorian clothing it shows several styles for men's hats in the 1860s: http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store/hats.php I'd consider the coachman's hat (shorter than a top hat) or the derby...and 'yes' the derby is appropriate here's a quote from the last web site that I cited above: "Americans call it a derby, after the Earl of Derby who helped popularize it. Englishmen know it as a bowler due to it's shape. Either way, this style of hat was first introduced in the early-1850's in England by Mr. Coke. It crossed the pond to America in the 1860's and remained popular well past the turn of the century.Americans call it a derby, after the Earl of Derby who helped popularize it. Englishmen know it as a bowler due to it's shape. Either way, this style of hat was first introduced in the early-1850's in England by Mr. Coke. It crossed the pond to America in the 1860's and remained popular well past the turn of the century."
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people
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Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:09pm
	Thank you both for your help. :o)
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

oldactress Walk-On Joined: 12/06/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/14/08 at 10:03am
	Dover books has a whole series of books and also paper dolls century by century which are a great reference for men, women and children.
	IP Logged

Topic: Men's Hats( Topic Closed)