As you might have noticed by our blog header, we here at the Vicky A’s are head over heels (ahem) for hats and are determined that they should not go out of fashion. One of my favorite places for hat ogling and/or buying is the Victorian Trading Company. They carry everything from more affordable hat options to the truly and magnificently outrageous, both in style and price (I’ve added links where I can; do go visit their website and drool).
Here we have a lovely example of a cloche (“bell” in French, hence the shape) hat. We both own a hat or two in this style and love how it frames the face demurely but also adds an air of quiet mystery. I particularly love this deep shade of green.
On the other side of the millinery spectrum, you’ll find the wide-brimmed hats (which are some of my favorites). Want to make an entrance? Try this one on for size (I have angsted over buying this hat for years).
Also, this hat. Knowing myself, however, I feel that instead of looking alluring and mysterious, I’d just walk into walls attempting to see through the hat mesh.
What’s that you say? “But Heather, I wan’t BIGGER.” Sure, we can make that happen.
I personally prefer full hats to Fascinators but they can be charming and whimsical as well (and many showed up to the Royal Wedding!).
Also, hatpins!! I’m not sure the modern woman would actually need them to wear most of the hats on display, but they sure are beautiful. If you did have an issue keeping your hat on your head, weave these between your hair and the hat itself to keep your work of art fixed to your head. I particularly like #7, “Polly”, although I am sure I would draw blood the first time I used any one of these.
As an equestrienne myself (is that a word? I’m making that a word), this hat may also wind up on a hatstand of mine someday.
Ostentatious. Outrageous. I have to have it someday.
Also, look at this brilliant thing.
I’ll take seven.
Any favorite hat shops for you all? Styles of hat you enjoy or don’t? Tell us in the comments!
The Victorianachronists 
I adore hats! My late grandmother gave me a bunch prior to her passing. Most are from the 50’s and 60’s but my favorite is one from the 30’s. I almost wished my grandmother was born earlier, because I much prefer the wide brim explosions of plumes, flowers, and ribbons from the Victorian period. Luckily, My Suitor’s mother bought me an ivory Edwardian creation. Pictures forth-coming in February or April.–Do not tell, but sometimes I wear the hat around the house for giggles. You ought to post more photographs of you and your hats.
That’s funny, I too have a collection of hats that began with my grandmother’s collection! I also have some fantastic dresses of hers from the 40’s, but that’s another story. Her hats (now mine) are mostly 1930’s/1940’s, which I like even more than the Victorian, big-brimmed style (don’t tell Heather, my fellow blogger!). I have worn them on various fancy-dress occasions but have not yet been able to work them into my more casual wardrobe. After Heather posted this, I was thinking about taking photos of us in our personal hat collections, so it’s funny you mention that. Perhaps we will. Looking forward to seeing your Edwardian hat!
Lady M – I would truly love to see pictures of your hats! What sort of styles do you have from the later periods?
Interestingly enough, my grandmother was not a hat person but my mother owned everything from fluffy Russian winter hats (I have a photo of me wearing it as a child that perhaps I’ll post because it is truly hilarious), to cowboy hats, to soft felt fedoras that I totally haven’t been using to dress up my husband as Indiana Jones for Halloween (shhhhhhh it was awesome). Nothing truly vintage, but I do think I got my love of hats from my mom and am slowly trying to grow my collection. I definitely think we’ll put up a personal hat post in the near future (and I’ll promise to overlook Katherine’s preference for non-Ascot-sized hats ;^) ).
The cloche is my favorite style. It seems to translate from vintage to modern with little effort. There can never be enough hats!
Paula: I could not agree more. When in doubt, I’ll choose a cloche over most other styles in my closet because it goes with most if not all outfits. And yes, never enough hats! =^)