The Century of Hats: Headturning Styles of the 20th Century [Hardcover]

Susie Hopkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1999

Taking us through the years since 1900, decade by decade, this book highlights headturning moments in the millinery world and doffs its cap to acclaimed designers and notable events in hat history. "The Century of Hats" explores the function and status of headgear, as it reflected the social and political status quo, and examines the different roles hats have played in the life of the past hundred years. Featuring prominent movie icons and leading socialites as well as glamorous models, "The Century of Hats" unfolds as a broad and informative style guide, drawing on a century of trendsetting imagery from Vogue magazine. The book draws distinctions between hatmakers and milliners, men's and women's hats, and handmade versus mass-produced factory hats, as well as explaining the essence of traditional hatmaking tools and techniques. From the purely functional to the high fashion; from top hats, bowlers, boaters and bonnets to the very latest in innovative couture from the world's finest bespoke milliners, "The Century of Hats" is a useful source of reference. The text provides inside information and thoroughly researched fashion history, and is complemented by beautifully presented images of the world's finest headgear.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Without hats, we would have no civilisation', Christian Dior. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

A decade-by-decade look at the headturning moments in the millinery world. Hopkins explores the function and status of headwear, reflecting the social and political status quo, and examines the different roles hats have played in this century. As a reference tool Century of Hats draws distinctions between hat makers and milliners, men's and women's hats, and hand-made versus mass-produced hats. Explains the essence of traditional hat-making tools and techniques.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Chartwell Books (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785811133
• ISBN-13: 978-0785811138
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #421,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars aspiring milliner, February 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Century of Hats: Headturning Styles of the 20th Century (Hardcover)

Nice overall presentation of hat styles, designers. milliners.
Brief, informative bios.
Great photos, great reference book.
Must have for hat enthusiasts as well as hat makers.
Not a source for technique.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit chaotic but nice; lots of information, May 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Century of Hats: Headturning Styles of the 20th Century (Hardcover)

The book covers hats, hat-makers and hat-wearers of the 20th century. It does have a chronological order, however, the contents still seem a bit jumbled. There is not much detail, but loads of information - all kinds of little tidbits and short (very short) biographies of milliners, "flashlights" on famous hat-buyers and fashion-leaders and their influence on the hat-styles of their time, little histories on single hat-styles and so forth. If you're looking for specific information - be prepared for despair. You'd have to be either very determined or very lucky to find the information you're looking for. If you want an easy-reader with great pictures, a feeling for the decades of the 20th century, the people and the hats, this is IT. The aspects and number of people and hats covered or featured is amazing. Overall, I'd recommend the book (there are not enough books on hats out there, anyway!) but would advise you to look elsewhere for detailed information.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for hat lovers!!!, September 13, 2000

By 

Rachel Gedeon (Broadview Heights, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Century of Hats: Headturning Styles of the 20th Century (Hardcover)

I have always been a lover of hats and I when I picked up this wonderful book I could not put it down. The photographs are absolutly outstanding, colorful and detailed, the text wonderfully written, and a great book to have on your coffee table. Even if you don't collect hats as a hobbie this book is wonderful to cuddle up with on the couch or in front of a cozy fire.