Tuesday 19 August 2014

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Hat: Ideas and Intentions

Some of you may be aware of (and may be participants in) The Sisterhood of the Vintage Dress, hosted by Joanna at Dividing Vintage Moments.

The dress is going to travel the world, being posted from participant to participant, and each person wears the dress, takes photos, and posts it on.

I would have liked to participate, but I'm not in a great position to fit into regular clothes. I love the idea however, and I immediately thought about sending one of my hats on such a journey.

This is what I would like to do: Design and make a hat, and send it around Australia and the rest of the world, with people wearing it and sharing photos.

I'd love to hear whether this is an idea that appeals to people, and any suggestions or requests as to what kind/period of hat I might make for it. I'd like to do something vintage, as my main interest at the moment, but I don't know beyond that.

I'm going to try to make it something relatively small so postage isn't ridiculous, something that will fit any head size and be quite versatile with regards to styling. If I can find a small-but-pretty box, the participants can sign that as it travels, too.

Some thoughts about portable hat possibilities:

  • A small hat - e.g. a fifties half hat, small pillbox, small tilt hat

Hats in this style are not always tiny, but aren't too big. (AWW 1953)

http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/87899?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=*&who=Saks+Fifth+Avenue&pos=12
Hat from Saks Fifth Avenue, 1940s (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/72764020/1940s-vintage-tilt-hat-with-pink-flowers
Etsy seller MyVintageHatShop, sold. I've wanted to make one since I saw it!

  • A felt hat, but made with thermofelt, so it can be packed flat - e.g. a cloche, tilt hat
"Nita Naldi and Friends c.1927" (maudelynn.tumblr.com)

Nancy Carroll (1920s Writer blog)

  • A fabric hat, that can be packed flat - e.g. a fur hat, cap, beret

Maybe something similar to this black Dior number could be done in a flattenable form? (AWW 1952)

I couldn't find this except on Pinterest, but apparently it is actress Merle Oberon

  • A whimsy (I do like the name "Sisterhood of the Travelling Whimsy"...)

Etsy seller vintagehatgalore

Etsy seller foundundertheeaves

  • A headband - e.g. a 1920s beaded band 

Alma Bennett, 1926 (Valentino Vamp on Tumblr)

Etsy seller, AntiqueLaceHeirlooms

Would you participate in a Travelling Hat experience? What kind of headwear would you like it to be? Any other suggestions for portable hats?
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19 comments

  1. You know I'd be in...
    As an aside, make sure the 'value' of the hat is low, as Customs will charge on import accordingly, and you wouldn't want the chain to be broken due to their charges.
    I like the cloche made with thermofelt myself...are we allowed to bling it up temporarily and then send on the basic hat?

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    1. Good point. I never think about Customs charges stuff.

      I was imagining a complete hat with any required bling already attached, but certainly that is a possibility, especially for the thermofelt option!

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    2. Okay on the complete hat idea...Mark pointed out that a 'bling it yourself' version would end up with so many pin holes, etc, that it would be a poor version of itself by the end of the journey, and I agree that I hadn't thought in those terms...so I still like the cloche (perhaps because we're coming into Winter here), but the whimsy comes a close second.

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  2. I'm doing the Sisterhood of the Traveling Dress thing, and I'm really excited for it. I don't live in Australia so I wouldn't be able to participate (boo!), but it would be great if you could get something going with one of your hats. I think it's a great way to build up the blogging community, and also a great advertisement for yourself as well.

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    1. It will go worldwide! (I hope). I would love for you to be a part of it!

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    2. Oooh, well in that case you should totally do a whimsy. It would be a really fun piece to play with, and since it's light shipping might be a bit cheaper.

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  3. I would love to be apart of the journey of your hat. This is so amazing that you would make a hat specifically to see the world:) A hat has so many possibilities. I'm very excited to see what you decide! I'm going to post a link back to your blog. Your hats are beautiful have such an artistic edge. Please count me in:)

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    1. Thank you so much, and thank you for the blog post about this too. I really appreciate it, and I'm so glad you will be a part of the journey.

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  4. Oh I'd love to be part of this! I swore I was following your beautiful blog ages ago, but alas I wasn't.
    Hmmm, I think a small hat, or a fabric hat would be very nice!

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  5. I think this would be such fun and would love to take part. For me, a half hat, pill box or whimsy would be particularly great.

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    1. Thanks for the input and I'm glad you want to take part. I am really looking forward to this!

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  6. Seriously awesome idea!!! I'd be on board entirely! My vote would be for a tilt hat, as I think it's a style that looks extremely good on a huge number of people. One point I'd raise is, if possible, to try and keep the weight on whatever kind of hat it is fairly low. Shipping a hat under a pound will cost me about $15 to $25 depending on where in Canada, the US, or abroad it's headed, but above a pound and international will be almost double that for all but the absolute slowest (2+ months deliver time) method. I know that Canada Post's rates are some of the highest and world and that a lot of other folks might not have to worry quite so much, but in case they do, I figured I'd bring it up.

    Again, honey, I adore this idea and want to take part in it for sure!

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad you'll be on board. I do like tilt hats myself, and they are indeed very flattering.

      I will try to keep the weight down whichever option is chosen. Postage from Australia is not too bad, but weight is definitely the major factor. I have sent some items that were quite large, but still very light, and the expense has been small. Here the turnover point is 500g, which is pretty similar!

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  7. I've just found your blog and am immediately in love!! I think this is an amazing idea and I would love to participate. I live in Alaska, and would love to add my location to the overall journey of a fabulous hat. I have such a deep love and admiration for hats whether they are vintage, vintage inspired of vintage reproductions. I love tilt hats and the whimsy hats. I really hope you do this and I would be honored and excited to be a part of it.

    She Knits in Pearls

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    1. Aww thank you! I would love to see my hat travel to Alaska. What fun :) I am currently working on creating the hat, so I hope to have a new update about the plans soon.

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  8. Am I too late to participate?? I'd love to do this. I couldn't be apart of the traveling dress because to be honest it wouldn't even come close to fitting, but a hat...I can do a hat!!! :D

    ~Seanna

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