1890's Straw Hats
This brown straw boater has been trimmed with satin "folds" and antique pasted wings.
At the centre of the wings is a metal decoration.
The wings were very fragile and required extensive repair before they could be used.
Part of the repair included encouraging the wings to curve around the crown of the hat.
Behind the wings are three "folds" or bias bands of antique satin also in brown.
The bias folds criss-cross at the centre back for a tidy finish.
Side-back view of folds.
Antiqued-brass decoration at the centre front kids some stitches that hold the wings in place.
Detail of the criss-cross at the back.
Top-down view of the hat.
Inside view of the hat, showing horse-hair/crinoline tabs and elastic, plus inner Petersham ribbon hatband.
Made in 2021 this blocked straw boater is trimmed with a mauve striped picot ribbon.
An elastic and horsehair tabs have been stitched in to keep the hat in place.
Detail of the ribbon bow.
The bow is placed on the left hand side of the hat.
The right hand side is plain.
Back view of the hat.
Inside view of the hat, including the head size ribbon.
Straw boater made in 2021 with pink and green trims.
Pink and green wired ribbon loops.
Pink roses are nestled in at the base of the loops, and snowdrops peek out at the front and back.
The hat band is made from an olive-green Petersham ribbon.
The straw itself a zig-zag braid.
This hat started as a modern high crowned sunhat, but the straw was unpicked and re-stitched to this shape.
Based on an illustration from Harpers Bazar from 1884 the straw boater is made from a paper straw hat that has had the crown shortened.
Here's a copy of the image that inspired this hat.
The outer edge of the hat has been trimmed with a straw that has little points sticking out. A sprig of lilacs at the back adds vertical interest.
This hat has an almost completely hidden hat band made of pink silk dupioni that has been generously covered with chiffon puffs in pink and mocha.
Other decorations on this hat are small ivory velvet flowers and a few rose leaves.
A casing with a drawstring is in place to help fit the hat to the head.
This shallow-crowned straw boater was formed on a hat block custom made by my dad. The trims are green plaid taffeta and yellow satin ribbons.
This is the drawing that inspired the hat. It came from an original 1891 catalogue from the Hill Brother's store in New York.
The outer edge is wired and bound with green petersham ribbon, and the green plaid ribbon forms the band.
Tucked in to the exuberant arrangement of ribbon loops is a small vintage nosegay of clover.
The trims are predominantly green plaid taffeta ribbon and yellow satin ribbon.
The back of the brim has been turned up to accommodate a large hairstyle. This hat has a small crown and is meant to sit atop the head.
Side view of the right side of the hat.
This view of the inside shows the horsehair tabs for pinning the hat to the hair, and the tint-able elastic that goes under the hair line.
This black straw boater with fruit is suitable for the 1890’s and used to be a child’s cowboy hat!
A wreath of vintage fruits and flowers trims the crown.
The straw is not in mint condition, but this hat has a slightly “shabby chic” charm.
Straw “Picture hat” made for “Klondike” mini-series, dyed black straw.
Trimmed with flowers and wired taffeta ribbon loops.
Striped ribbon hat band.
Straw boater trimmed for “Klondike” mini-series 2013.
A large number of paper daisies and ribbon bows form the decoration on the left side.
Hat band is of plaid taffeta ribbon.
Straw boater trimmed for “Klondike” mini-series 2013.
Trimmed with flowers and wired ombré taffeta ribbon.
Ombré taffeta ribbon hat band.
Straw hat made for “Klondike” mini-series 2013.
Turned up brim, pork-pie crown.
Trimmed with pansies.
Taffeta ribbon hat band.
This 1896 sporty-style brown hemp Trilby is trimmed with a black petersham band, black satin ribbon bow, and black and brown pheasant feathers.
Originally made for the mini series "Klondike" in 2013.
Three kinds of ribbon form the band of this tiny straw boater made for "Klondike" in 2013.
Blue and green ribbon loops form the decorative feature at the back of this hat.
Profile view of the tiny straw boater.
Small straw boater using a blocked straw.
A striped ribbon in shades of mauve and cream was used for the trim.
The ribbon also has picot edges. The tailored bow helps temper the sweetness of the ribbon.
The bow was placed on the left-hand side of the crown, hiding the join in the ribbon band.
The brim is quite modest in size.
The plain side of the crown. Horsehair tabs and an elastic have been sewn in.
The inside has a Petersham band for comfort and cleanliness.
This gallery shows photos of 1890's style hats made of straw for various films and TV shows over the last few years. While these hats have mostly been sold already, you can have something similar, or even something different made for your production in relatively short order. An infinite variety of colours and styles are available, as straw is quite dye-able and can be formed easily into the shape you need for your show. Call or write to Easel Incorporated for more information about having an 1890's straw hat made.
Click on any of these photo's for a closer view.