I collect lots of vintage fashion magazines and books for educational purposes,  but especially enjoy looking at the beautiful photos and illustrations. Just thought I’d share some of my favorite pictures of women’s hats from the 1940’s. 

It’s unfortunate that we don’t wear beautiful hats much anymore. I guess it’s because these type of hats look too formal to fit in with our more casual lifestyles.   But people took more care with their appearance back then and hats were masterpieces of design that really completed an outfit, adding the perfect finishing touch of elegance, sophistication and glamour.  Desirable attributes that, in my opinion,  are lacking in our modern day society based on the extreme disregard for personal appearance I witness on a daily basis! 

Paris hats from the Worth and Bruyere collections. Photo from L’Officiel  Magazine Summer 1941

Hats by Lilly Dache and Hattie Carnegie. American Vogue Spring 1942

Hats from the Jean Patou Paris wartime collection L’Officiel Magazine Summer 1941

Christian Dior hat designed by Sygur, French Vogue,  Fall 1947

The next two photos are fashion illustrations of hats from the 1943 Paris spring collection, designs by Gabrielle and Bruyere. La Femme Chic Spring issue 1943

If anyone reading this post ever ventures out wearing lovely vintage hats such as these,  please let us know the reaction you get.