During the long history of fashion development, a lot of seemingly purely masculine things migrated to the women's wardrobe. No one remembers that heeled shoes were once an attribute of the seventeenth century nobles' costume, and the once popular bowler hat almost disappeared from the everyday life of the stronger sex.
From Chaplin to the present day
For the appearance of this unusual hat, we should be grateful to the brother of the British Earl of Leicester, Edward Coke. He commissioned craftsmen Thomas and William Bowler to make a new headgear for his forest rangers, who complained that the habitual top hats while riding through the forest were knocked off the tree branches. After much thought, the first bowler hat was made according to the sketches of George and James Locke - a hat that sat firmly on the head, protected from the cold and at the same time looked very fashionable. Soon, the bowler hat was destined to forever replace the top hats and become a symbol of English culture.
Changing world of fashion
Of course, sucha stylish little thing could not be overlooked by women. At first, only unmarried ladies wore it for riding, but then the most independent persons began to supplement their images with it in everyday life. The women's bowler hat was no different from the men's headdress.
Whatever you say, but the era of Charlie Chaplin has passed, and young people prefer more comfortable accessories and outfits. And the bowler hat would have sunk into oblivion, if not for the fashion designers. Many famous designers, such as Ralph Lauren or Vyacheslav Zaitsev, regularly included it in their collections, finally establishing the position of this headdress in the fashion world.
Masters were well aware that thanks to such a simple accessory, you can create a huge number of sophisticated, but not old-fashioned looks. And most importantly, both a young lady and an aged lady can afford to wear a bowler hat. Thanks to its soft lines and rounded shape, the bowler hat will suit any type of face, which is proved by photographs of Bolivian Indian women, for whom this hat is an element of the national costume. In general, thanks to the active colonial activity of Britain, the bowler hat also became popular in Nigeria, where it is still held in high esteem by men.
No masquerade effect
The bowler hat is wayward, so in order not to look like a comic character from silent films, you need to combine it with other things correctly.
What to wear a felt bowler hat with:
- classic straight pants;
- male-cut suits that have become real this seasontrend;
- blouses, shirts;
- long pencil skirts;
- classic coats & trench coats;
- ankle boots;
- boots.
What is better not to combine with:
- sportswear;
- baggy suits;
- evening dresses;
- beachwear.
If you want to create a more catchy and modern look, then pay attention to the experiments with the headdress of Fergie, Jennifer Lawrence or Keira Knightley. On celebrities, a bowler hat looks appropriate. Photos of famous beauties prove this. Socialites boldly combined the English headdress with clothes such as:
- short dresses;
- voluminous sweaters;
- leather leggings;
- short tight skirts;
- shorts;
- skinny jeans;
- leather jackets.
Bowler on a date. Why not?
If it seemed to you that this headpiece is suitable only for classic and discreet looks, then it is not. It is enough to choose an unusual color, pattern or apply needlework skills, and you will get a completely non-trivial item of clothing that will help you be remembered in the eyes of the chosen one. The men's bowler hat has perfectly migrated to the ladies' wardrobe.
Veils, flowers, rhinestones and appliqués add personality to this discreet hat. It is quite possible to make several options for any occasion of life. Therefore, if you are a fan of hand-made, the bowler hat will become a real canvas for creativity.
A profitable investment
Purchasing a bowler hat, you make a huge investment in your wardrobe, because this hat will always remain in trend. With it, you will definitely stand out from the gray mass, emphasize your taste and will always go with the flow of modern fashion trends.
The headpiece will become part of the classic wardrobe that suits all women. It is important not to overdo it with details.
Skillful hands
The bowler hat is not cheap. With your own hands, you can easily make this headdress. To do this, you need felt, a satin ribbon and a little patience. First, a pattern is drawn up for the future headdress. You need to measure the height and circumference of your head. To give the hat the desired shape, you will have to get a block. Parts moistened with steam from the iron are placed on it.
First, the hat is fastened with pins, and only then the machine is used. From above, the headdress is decorated with a satin ribbon: this will hide the main seam and make the bowler hat more attractive. Once the basic shape of the hat is ready, the lining can be done. It is sewn separately and only then sewn to the headdress with a manual blind stitch.
Homemade headdress can be any color. If you show imagination, you can create an unusual bowler hat. The main thing is to keep the proportions. Of course, if you want to create a slightly comical look, then you can make a small bowler hat that is worn like a hairpin. Most often these optionsused for stage costume.
You can also make a bowler hat out of black velvet paper. The principle is the same, but glue is used instead of threads. It is better to use double-sided paper with high density.
