What is Forties "B" Hat aka Blastin Betty?

[colleency]

I'm registering for my classes at costume college, and one of the choices is Forties "B" Hat or Blastin Betty. Does anyone have a photo or good description of what this is? I tried to do a google search, to no avail.

The description they provide is: "This class will explore the simple cap construction of the "B" hat. This hat was used in a variety of ways from suite to society wear. All sorts of accents from feathers to jewelry give it a versatile look. Krimp, oil, fold, looping, and drape techniques will be discussed."

I can't visualize it. Can anyone help?

TIA

 

[Lauren]

Yeah, I was wondering that too... I'll second the request

 

[decodoll]

I'd love to know too. I went through some of my books last night but couldn't find any information on a "B" Hat or Blastin Betty.

 

[Tin Pan Sally]

I've never even heard that term. I'm very interested.

 

[jp*81]

Bes-Ben hat?

Is it also called a Bes-Ben hat?

Here is a link. There are 5 hats near the bottom of the page.

http://www.antiquedress.com/galleryhats1.htm

In 1920, Benjamin Greenfield and his sister Bessie (hence the "Bes-Ben" name merging their first names!) opened a millinery shop in Chicago. In 1938 they moved to the fashionable Michigan Avenue, and Benjamin soon became known as "The Mad Hatter of Chicago" with his outrageous designs. His famous clientele included Lucille Ball, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland and Elizabeth Taylor... with his hats selling for between $37.50 - $1000! Maine Antique Digest wrote "Every summer, however, he would clean out his inventory for the new season at a midnight sale, marking down the hats to s little as $5. Then at 2 AM, he would toss the rest out the front door to waiting bargain hunters."! In 1999 a Bes-Ben hat sold for $18,400 at auction.

 

[colleency]

That looks like it fits the description! Thanks!

I decided to sign up for the class without knowing what it is. If I get it, I'll be sure to come back and post what it was. The class isn't until the end of July, though.

 

[Renee]

Are those fishing lures on that green hat?!

I love the 1940's in general, but I think some of the ugliest hats I've seen also come from this era!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I decided to sign up for the class without knowing what it is.

Gosh, how incredibly arcane can a class be? (I wonder how many of your fellow classmates will know what it is, too.) Sounds interesting, but what will they offer next?

 

[scotrace]

The Plastic Bit On The End Of Shoelaces 101

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Exactly. Except that they'd have to be shoelaces made by some '40s designer.

 

[Tin Pan Sally]

That looks like it fits the description! Thanks!I decided to sign up for the class without knowing what it is. If I get it, I'll be sure to come back and post what it was. The class isn't until the end of July, though.

Where are you taking this class? Is it a workshop or a full length course? I'd seen those caps around and had no idea the name of the style. Thanks

 

[Lauren]

Don't blast costume college, men. It is amazing! and yes, they offer things you would never had thought of.

I'm a hopeful for the Regency Corset class and the Straw braid hats over buckram class.

Costume College is put out with Costumer's Guild West. It's sold out for this year, but if you want in next year you should sign up in August ASAP. Here's the link: http://www.costumecollege.org

 

[Tin Pan Sally]

It's sold out, I'll have to catch another.

 

[colleency]

Gosh, how incredibly arcane can a class be? (I wonder how many of your fellow classmates will know what it is, too.) Sounds interesting, but what will they offer next?

As Lauren said, costume college is amazing, a full weekend of workshops and lectures on costuming and clothing recreations from all time periods, including the past and futuristic items. DH was supposed to be teaching a lightsaber building class this year, but we didn't get his paperwork in on time.

Lauren, I was really tempted by the Straw Braid hat class, but I decided to give this one a whirl in case it is something I could use. It is my final choice.

I've also requested glove making, sleeve pattern making, and pressing/finishing. I can't wait!

 

[jp*81]

Here is another link with more pictures.

Click the dark triangle next to the last picture to see more, there are 18 pictures.

http://www.greenfieldfoundation.org/Archives/bes-ben_hats.htm




This link has other 40's hats and other vintage hats.

http://www.hollywoodhats.com/40s.html

 

[Marc Chevalier]

DH was supposed to be teaching a lightsaber building class this year ...

I'm speechless. And how much is the tuition for "lightsaber building"?

 

[colleency]

He does it at science fiction conventions occassionally. The "tuition" is free, other than your convention membership. He has you bring a base piece, which he tells you how to shop for. Then he has a bag of nernies (bits to make it look neat) that he sells at his cost, usually $20 (I think). It's fun!

 

[colleency]

He does it at science fiction conventions occassionally. The "tuition" is free, other than your convention membership. He has you bring a base piece, which he tells you how to shop for. Then he has a bag of nernies (bits to make it look neat) that he sells at his cost, usually $20 (I think). It's fun!

Ah! I may see your confusion here. It's a class in building a prop lightsaber handle.

 

[Vanessa]

Haven't received my class information yet for Costume College.

. . . Pondering what physical harm I can do to mailman. . .

 

[colleency]

Vanessa, I posted an abbreviation of the names of all the limited classes in my live journal. Hope it helps.

Scroll down to get the list.