Women's Hats
Hats of the 1910s were quite prominent, reaching their peak in size early in the decade and becoming smaller and flatter as the 1920s approached.
As skirts were narrowing in the early 1910s, hats became quite large, often exceeding the width of the shoulders. Towering masses of flowers and feathers sat atop the head. These lavish hats were quite expensive and, thus, reserved for the wealthy. For the average American woman, however, hats were still relatively large and ornamented.
Early 1910s Large, Lavish Hats: Image courtesy of Elizabeth Ewing, History of 20th Century Fashion, 1992
By 1913, hats were becoming increasingly flatter and less frilled.
1913 Flatter Hats: Image courtesy of Elizabeth Ewing
1913 Flatter Hats: Image courtesy of Valerie Mendes and Amy de la Haye, 20th Century Fashion, 1999
After 1918, hats shrank in size and foreshadowed the small cloche hats of the 1920s.
Late 1910s Small Hats: Image courtesy of Elizabeth Ewing
