1950s Women’s Hats

by Michael RichComment — Updated October 26, 2023

Hats in the 50s were a necessity for the well dressed woman (or man). It was a very important part of the 50s fashion. The choice of hat style, color and material was almost limitless. Designers kept getting more avant-garde but traditional styles were the norm. Haute couture designs often included a matching hat and department stores would always feature coordinating hats with their everyday clothing displays.

1950s fashion hats

The 1950s was the last real heyday for hat makers. Popular since the turn of the century, the casualness of the 60’s and onward saw the demise of many of the large haberdasheries. Hats are still worn today but usually to very formal or special events. The Kentucky Derby is probably the best example of this as is any Royal wedding in the UK.

Designer Mushroom Style Hat

This entire outfit is Christian Dior including the modified Mushroom style hat. Notice the animal print fabric on the brim. This is definitely a designer touch.1950s Designer hats

Christian Dior designed ensemble including the hat

Coordinating Hat

This vagabond style hat was purchased to coordinate with this coat and outfit and possibly other outfits in her closet.

Notice how put together she is. Matching or coordinating coat, outfit and hat. Gloves and a subtle string of pearls with matching earrings. She was prepared to go out in the 1950s.

1950s fashion womans hat

Bucket style hat in a coordinating fabric

Sun Hat

Jean Patchett was one of the top fashion models of the 1940s and 1950s. Here she is wearing a designer suit with a contrasting hat. This outfit was put together by Sacony of Palm Beach for a “Better Sportswear” ad in Vogue, 1951 and it certainly was everybit of 1950s fashion hats.hats from the 1950s fashion

Jean Patchett in Vogue 1951, modeling a wide brimmed sun type hat in a coordinating color for Sacony of Palm Beach.

A pale look was preferred by most 50’s women so wide brimmed sun hats were a popular accessory. Unlike modern sun hats these hats were made to go well even with dressy daytime outfits.1950s designer fashion hat

1950s Fashion Designer Sun Hat

Photographers loved what hats could do for a fashion picture. Many times the hats used were not a part of the outfit but rather supplied by the photographer as a prop. This wide brimmed beauty is probably an example of that. 1950s summer hat This summer ensemble is nicely finished with a oversized Sun hat.

Matching Cap Style Hat

This cap was patterned after the Cloche hat which was at the height of its popularity in the 1920’s.

This is Jean Patchett again modeling a wool 1950s fashion Bergdorf suit with matching hat.50s fashion style hats

Jean Patchett wearing a cap type hat

Cartwheel Style Hat

Soft, feminine, romantic…these words can be used to describe 1950’s fashion hats. This Christian Dior suit is softened by the addition of this feminine hat. 1950s fashion designer hats

1953 Christian Dior outfit with matching cartwheel style hat

Beret Hat

Used by military’s since the 1800’s. The 1920s saw mass production of the beret, with the hats being favored by the working class in France.

They were inexpensive enough so that the 1950s woman could own several in different colors.fashion hat

1950s Beret style hat

Pillbox Hat

Although popularized by Jackie Kennedy in the 1960s, pillbox hats were worn from the 1930s on. Worn for their simplicity, the pillbox hat could finish off any outfit without overpowering the clothes.1950s pillbox fashion hat

1950s Pillbox style hat

Mushroom Hat

Designers would send bolts of their fabric to the hat factory to make a particular hat style to match the designers new line of clothing.
The same hat would be made in matching fabric and also coordinating fabrics to round out the particular line.

Designer hats were 1950s fashion
Designer 1950s Mushroom style hat

This beautiful suit and coordinating mushroom style hat are being modeled by Lucinda Hollingsworth a popular 50’s face.

(I wonder if the dog gets paid for this fashion shot)50s fashion outfit with hat

Hat modeled by Lucinda Hollingsworth

Enjoy some additional pictures of 1950s Fashions Hats

fashion hatsDesigner 1950s fashion hathats of the 1950s1950s fashion - hats50s fashion blush hat with netting1950s gray woll dress with matching hat

Here are a few examples of avant-garde hats

wild 1950s hats

Designed by Adolfo in black tulle50s style hat with feathers50s style fashion hat

Jean Lanvin design 1958

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