A great example of a more modern (1990s in this case) vintage “fascinator” hat that mimics the style of an earlier decade: the tiny pillboxes and turban-style cocktail hats of the early 1960s. This truly fabulous black rayon velvet hat is adorned with massive circles or flowers of clear rhinestones set in silver metal, each one like a lovely vintage brooch in its own right! The hat perches on top of the head as shown, and is slightly peaked at the center of the crown, like a teeny turban. It is hard to see with the black-on-black velvet, but each rhinestone piece trims a lobe or petal of a scalloped/flower-shaped front section of velvet, attached to the cap underneath. I have over-lightened a few of my photos to show this better: the flower-shaped panel sits on top of the veil, in front. The hat lined with black rayon satin. Found in a hatbox with tickets to Chicago’s Lyric Opera from 1994, the hat may have been purchased by its original (quite wealthy) owner to wear to the opera. If so, it may have been worn only once. It is in excellent condition, with no flaws to note. One thing to mention, however, is that the hat is quite heavy, with all of that rhinestone and metal trim. You will certainly need several hatpins, at minimum, to keep this amazing hat from sliding off, when worn!
Crown height: varies from 3” to 4” from front to sides to back
Crown diameter: 6.5”
Rhinestone trim diameter (each): 2.25”
Label: Glorious Hats, Inc. Chicago
