At Literary Orange in 2011 with the Brothers K
I bought this wonderful pork pie hat from my usual source for lovely cheap hats: The Bon Marche thrift store in Sonoma, CA. This tiny tucked-away hole-in-the-wall thrift store seems to have one or two people who donate a great deal of vintage, often only in need of a good cleaning and a little TLC. I got this black pork pie hat for $7!
Pork pies are so called because of their close resemblance to the self-same delicious food item.
Halston hat ca. 1957 via The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
They made their big splash in the 1940s and carried on through the 50s and even the 60s. They came smaller ~ perching on top of the head to the front tuna-can size (pill box), and bigger ~ sitting around and to the back of the head, and slightly squished and off to one side like a beret.
When I first purchased my little baby, she needed some help. Here's what I did.
The original.
Decorations removed and cleaned thoroughly with a lint brush.
Added black velvet ribbon band. Pinned ot hold properly in place.
Adhered using the trusty glue gun.
Existing, ribbon folded down and fixed with pins, before also being glued (back or side) depending on how I wear the hat.
Inside reenforced with a rolled tissue paper, to help it hold it's shape.
Pok pies then . . .
Cristobal Balenciaga hat ca. 1964 via The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
And pork pies now . . .
As you can see, Fashionable reader, the pill box style is really making a come-back. And now, I am hungry.
