 |
| Wearing a hat and gloves for my Jackie Kennedy Halloween costume |
During the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, hats were a staple in women's wardrobes. Styles ranged from the elegant pillbox hats popularized by Jacqueline Kennedy to wide-brimmed hats and smaller, more decorative options. Hats were often adorned with ribbons, feathers, and other embellishments, reflecting the wearer's personality and social status. Wearing a hat was considered a sign of respectability and was almost mandatory for formal occasions and church services.
Gloves were equally important. Women wore them to complement their outfits, especially for formal events, social gatherings and even casual outings. Gloves came in various lengths, from wrist-length to opera-length, and were made from materials like cotton, silk, and leather. They were seen as a symbol of elegance and sophistication.
The decline of these fashion staples began in the 1960s. Several factors contributed to this shift.
Cultural Changes – The 1960s brought significant cultural and social changes. The youthquake movement emphasized individuality and freedom of expression, leading to a more relaxed approach to fashion.
Practicality – As lifestyles became more casual and practical, the need for formal accessories like hats and gloves diminished. Women started prioritizing comfort and convenience over strict fashion rules.
Influence of Icons – Fashion icons and celebrities began to adopt more casual styles, influencing the general public. For example, the rise of casual wear and the popularity of hairstyles that didn't require hats contributed to their decline.
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, hats and gloves had largely fallen out of everyday fashion, becoming more of a niche or occasional accessory rather than a daily necessity.
Personally, I adopted hats and gloves in my wardrobe. My mother had a nice selection of both to choose from including gloves in a variety of colors. But at six feet six in my mother’s 4-inch heels, the low overhead was even lower wearing a hat and I kept losing my hat passing through doorways. So I stopped wearing hats. However, gloves were a perfect fit and I wore them often and I even bought a few pairs myself.
These days, I seldom wear gloves as a fashion accessory, but I do wear them to fend off the weather.
 |
| Wearing Cynthia Rowley |
 |
| Long time Femulate.org reader, Mindy |
Whenever Mom would go into DC's downtown she always wore gloves. Sometimes she didn't wear a hat, but if we were going to lunch in one of the department stores' restaurants she wore a hat. Looking around the dining room, every woman was wearing a hat -- sort of a "uniform". Somehow I never cared for wearing a hat. But it sure looks elegant!
ReplyDeleteDear Stana, very elegant in its time. My mother also would always wear hat and gloves when going out to somewhere special She even had a little gold clip attached yo her purse to hold the gloves when having lunch.
ReplyDeleteI've two, one a a straw sun hat and a very "wedding" hat, that lives in the closet looking for an occaqion to "come out", like my saree
Lily
The vast majority of Roman Catholic women wore head coverings to mass. Gloves and hats are another way for some of us to fly under the radar when venturing outside our homes. In the cold of winter one can brave the weather donned in a stocking cap, gloves and muffler across the face while wearing a pretty dress with high boots and a winter coat, I remember my wife cursing the freezing cold while waiting for the "EL" to Manhattan on the way to work.
ReplyDeleteYou might remember that female Catholics were required to cover their heads in church in the 60s and 60s!
ReplyDeleteStana, you make a lovely first lady! Or perhaps even a madam president.
ReplyDeleteWhile I certainly miss some of the more formal attire of yesteryear, I find a beautiful hairstyle to be a lovely attribute of a woman's appearance - second only to legs... and bonus points if they're in hosiery!
I have noted in fashion magazines over the past year or so that gloves have now been added to some outfits at Fashion Week etc. And here's a real eye opener-a few hats with veils! I really go for this stuff so fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteStana, you passed even then, when it was supposedly only a "Halloween costume". I wish I had femulated Jackie O in an outfit like that. (When I was a small child, my mother and her friends were always talking about her.)
ReplyDeletePenny from Edinburgh.
I was an altar boy back in the ‘60s. My Mom every Sunday wore hat,gloves and heels. All matched eg. Pink dress hat gloves and pink shoes. As an altar boy I seen them all 8 to 80. Men even dressed nice tie and coat spit shined shoes. Hold over from their millarty service. Now shorts and tee shirts both men and women with flip flops. Oh the good old days!!
ReplyDeleteThose were the days. Dress makers millinery and dry cleaners disappeared too.
DeleteStana, you look right darling as Jackie O!
DeleteThis post reminds me of the John Wayne movie, "Operation Pacific" where he keeps telling his lady to get her hat, stick, coat, and gloves, because they are going out on the town. I never knew sticks to be a female accessory, but I do wish hats and gloves would appear more than just appearances of the British royal family, and major Thoroughbred racing events.
Norah