are a great way to complete a look!
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Before they became a fashion statement, they simply provided protection and warmth for the head: It has been discovered that people started wearing “hats”—at first, very crude head coverings—as early as more than 3,000 years ago!
The end of the 16th century brought the beginning of women’s structured hats. Most of us “remember” the Victorian women of a century ago, with their large, elaborate hats adorned with ribbon, feathers, flowers and tulle.
Time was, when a woman was not “dressed” unless she wore a hat and gloves.
Nowadays, Steampunk fashion is bringing back the hat for adornment.
Although I write a blog on the Bohemian look, I do love Steampunk.
To me, “Bohemian” encompasses not only gypsy, pirate, and hippie, but also Victorian—touching on Steampunk, and more. The “Bohemian style”—to me—is made up of those articles of clothing and accessories that, when combined for an unconventional look, affirm who you are; it’s the outward appearance of your inner longings, regarding one’s own personal style.
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Hats
I have always liked hats, and have liked them on me. But, it’s been only since I’ve grown in independence to the point that I don’t care what people think about what I like to wear, that I have embraced wearing them myself. Actually, another Bohemian inspired me. 😀
I recently found a little Plain Jane hat in a thrift (very inexpensive!). When I got her home, I found that she had almost limitless potential! One may use any manner of adornment to beautify a chapeau… That’s where creativity comes in! 😀
The neat thing about it is: You don’t have to embellish a hat permanently, though some hats I ornament may be fixed for good. No, this hat came with an elasticized cord around the crown—ah-ha! Great for temporarily attaching sashes and scarves. A brooch is also a handsome addition!
Hint: You may want to tack on (with a stitch of thread every little bit) a skinny elastic around the crown if it doesn’t come with it.
Here are a few ways that I dressed up this plain little hat…
Okay. A couple of these are almost the same. Truth is: I couldn’t find the image on the right, so I took some more pix in this outfit. But, then I found it! So… 😀 Lol.
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Right after Easter, I went into a Dollar Tree, and—behold: Hats!! …for a buck each! 😀
The Western hat, on the right, is still to be adorned—but I’m thinkin’ something with feathers…in the American Indian sense.
I wanted to give the traditional-looking Easter bonnet, on the left, a make-over.
First, off came the ribbon!
I wanted a feminine hat. I looked through my cache of doilies (bought for their weight…cheap!) and chose this “double” one, placed it, pinned it, and hand sewed it on.
Since I wanted to wear it with a white outfit (right) that I’d figured out to wear to church the next day, I quickly turned up one side of the brim, attached another doily—folded in half, and pinned this vintage brooch on it (above). I like it, but I may change it. But, this is another option of how to decorate a hat. 🙂
I’m thinking of wearing it with the turned-up brim in the back, with white roses emerging from each side of the folded brim. Think I’d also like ribbon or something more around the crown. “After” thought: This is the change I made.
See how to make your own fingerless gloves in a previous tut! 😀
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Another hat tutorial
Another time, I found this garden hat, pictured below, in a thrift for $1.50. I was also excited when I spotted these roses. They were stuck in some styrofoam and poked into this lidless teapot (right). The manager wouldn’t sell the flowers separately, so I’ll probably use the teapot in making a small lamp. The roses and teapot were $4.
First, I got out some lace that I got for pennies: two different widths of the same pattern. 😀
I pinned the narrower lace all around the edge of the brim and machine stitched it (left), making two passes around the brim for durability.
Next, I placed and pinned the wider lace around the crown (right), and hand sewed it on.
Then, I searched again through my stores and decided on this oblong doily, placed, pinned, and hand sewed it (left) to the back of the hat.
I haven’t finished this hat yet ’cause I want some taupe ribbon to match the tips of the buds. Haven’t been able to find any yet. 
But, to show you the idea I have, I placed the roses. Looks good…just disregard the stems sticking out. Lol. When I put them on, I’ll trim away some stems. Still, I want some ribbon—or, maybe tulle? When I get it finished, I’ll show you the finished product.
(I finished my hat! 😀 It turned out really pretty and special! See my Victorian Rose hat. ❤ )
Well, this tut ended up longer than I had anticipated. But, I think this gives you some good ideas…even if I do say so myself! 😀
Bye4now!
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