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[Miss Sis]

I think it is designed to be worn on the back of the head like a halo hat.

I also think it is a 1950s hat, as the organza looks like it is synthetic. No tips for cleaning it without removing it from the hat, I'm afraid.

 

[I Adore Film Noir]

This lovely (50s?) hat from an antique mall. I saw it originally on display in a booth during a sale and passed it up. I regretted it and went back the following weekend to find it was gone so I went home kicking myself thinking some other lucky gal had snatched it up. About three weeks later we hit up the store again during a sale and it was back on display! So I bought it and plan on wearing it to a friends wedding. There are only a couple small, pin sized holes in the organza, but it is stained all over the material and on the satin and velvet rose. It looks like water stains. Anyone have some tips on how to clean it? The hat itself is straw so I don't want to shrink it or mishape it. I also don't know how best to wear it? Straight across on top? Tilted to the side and over the eye a little?

Lovely hat but I don't think the white rose can be saved. I'd get a new one.

You should post your pics on the Hat board, the men over there are experts in cleaning and caring for hats.

 

[Retro_GI_Jane]

Thanks, ladies for the advice. I think Katinka is right about wearing it straight on the head; if I try to place it near the back for a halo effect, it doesn't look quite "right" as the brim is pinched in four equal places, giving more of a high oval shape rather than round. I'll keep researching!

I Adore, I'm curious as to why you think the rose needs to come off? My camera flash washed out the color but it's a pale green with the tips tinted darker. For a hat like this, the adornments are impeccable compared to what I've seen...no "wilting", crushed or fraying. It just has a couple dark spots from water. It just lloks like someone wore it in the rain and placed it back in a box and forgot about it.

 

[I Adore Film Noir]

Thanks, ladies for the advice. I think Katinka is right about wearing it straight on the head; if I try to place it near the back for a halo effect, it doesn't look quite "right" as the brim is pinched in four equal places, giving more of a high oval shape rather than round. I'll keep researching!

I Adore, I'm curious as to why you think the rose needs to come off? My camera flash washed out the color but it's a pale green with the tips tinted darker. For a hat like this, the adornments are impeccable compared to what I've seen...no "wilting", crushed or fraying. It just has a couple dark spots from water. It just lloks like someone wore it in the rain and placed it back in a box and forgot about it.

The camera doesn't do it justice. When you rescue it, I'd love to see a picture of you wearing the hat.

 

[Frenchy56]

Very nice find! I think it´s from the 40s and supposed to be worn on top of the head like this. Maybe even a bit on the back of your head like the girl on the left in this picture does. But I have no idea what to do about the stains

Edit: maaaaan, hats and heads, very confusing

I concur about the straight-on-your-head thing. I have a similarly-shaped hat and I'm pretty sure that's how they would have been most fashionably worn in the 50s. I know that when I place it back on my head it doesn't look right - the crown is too shallow - but you could probably wear it tilted too, though that'd look more 40s, IMO. Beautiful hat tho, and do keep the rose!

 

[Tatum]

Found these paperdolls in our local DAV. They aren't vintage (they were printed in 1999). From left to right: Rita Hayworth, Gene Tierney, and Lana Turner. Gene was sitting on top behind glass and I couldn't see the others but I recognized her immediately and knew the others would be just as neat! I wasn't disappointed!

The hubby just picked up a whole box of vintage ones for me while on a trip. They are beat but so cute, i guess they were well loved! I plan to frame them between glass panes and display them in my dressing room! I'll have to snap a pic.

 

[rue]

The hubby just picked up a whole box of vintage ones for me while on a trip. They are beat but so cute, i guess they were well loved! I plan to frame them between glass panes and display them in my dressing room! I'll have to snap a pic.

Where have you been woman!

 

[swinggal]

Another bias cut 30s gown to add to my collection. I love this one and it fits me so well. The glass buttons with gold accents are lovely.In mint condition apart from the underarm stains which I easily soaked out with some Napisan. I wrote a little post about it here on my blog too: http://www.swingfashionista.com/2012/06/another-30s-beauty-for-my-collection/

 

[Miss Sis]

I saw that dress up for sale and thought it was very nice, Swinggal!

One thing I would say, I wouldn't recommend using Napisan on rayon though, as I suspect in the long run it would weaken the fibres.

 

[swinggal]

Yup, I actually used an equivalent to Oxiclean. Not sure why I said Napisan. Similar but not quite the same Any of the Napisans with enzymes I never use anyway, only the ones with oxygen cleaning power. Enzyme cleaners tend to eat rust and organic stains away. Found that out the hard way years ago Such a shame that we can get Oxiclean in Oz anymore. It's such a great product and I used to soak out all the stains on just about every vintage item I had years ago with amazing results. Might have get some sent over ;P

 

[Miss Sis]

I am a fan of the Napisan myself! I think it's better than Vanish or Oxiclean, personally. At least the ones available here in the UK. I'm sure they have different formulas in different countries.

 

[Tatum]

Where have you been woman!

Hiding. Had a busy spring with work then got in a nasty car accident... Haven't felt vintage much. I can't set my hair because I can't sleep on it without dorking up my neck. So, I've had to get half decent with heated tools, which I scoffed at for years (mostly because I don't want the damage). I've also let my hair get really long, so it takes days to dry....

But I managed to snap a few pics of some of the paper dolls. These are just a few, they filled a shirt box. Most are celebrities, their owner even wrote who they were on the back (a few are really obscure). Many are missing hands and/or feet, but they still make me smile!

 

[Miss Tuppence]

^ oh your paper dolls are fantastic! I would love to find some.... is that the ever so lovely Sonia Henie in the middle of the top photo?

T x

 

[Tatum]

^ oh your paper dolls are fantastic! I would love to find some.... is that the ever so lovely Sonia Henie in the middle of the top photo?

T x

Yes it is!

 

[RodeoRose]

I found this peach of a late '30s/'40s hostess gown for $6. Just when I was starting to think the thrift stores had run dry...

The label is "G. Fox and Co.". It feels silky, but I think it's a synthetic... nylon?

 

[Miss Golightly]

That's beautiful RodeoRose - I can't believe the price you got it for - an absolute steal!

 

[Alice~]

Wow RodeoRose, that's stunning! And what a great price! I bet that made your week

 

[C-dot]

You're so lucky, RodeoRose, its beautiful! I would love a hostess gown...

This was a gift, but I'm so pleased with it I had to share:

From Vivien of Hollway - My favourite! I've got one in black too!

(Psst, Miss Golightly, your inbox is full.)

 

[Miss Golightly]

You look lovely C-dot - it suits you to a t! I'm not sure if I said it to you before but you really remind me of Bild Lilli (I'm sure you've heard that loads of times!!!!!!)....

 

[ariellah]

yesterday, I won the ebay-auction on this beautiful black dress from the 40s. It has exactily my measurements (which is very unusual), so I'm sure it will fit perfectly I hope it will arrive soon, because sometimes the shipping to europe takes very long.