The Bowler Hat

Being an absolute hat lover, over the years I have become the owner of a range of headgear including the fedora, flat cap, beret, bowler hat, cowboy hat, crochet et al. Today, I’m going to talk about an accessory that is easily the most favourite of my vintage collection: the bowler hat. 

Mademoiselle by Vogue, 1946

Writing about the Bowler Hat, the first thing to note is that it was born in London in 1849, and till date even after it’s style has been altered and reinvented time and again, the significance and feel of the English origin still stands strong. Originally, the bowler hat was a hard felt hat with a rounded crown, although today woolen bowler hats are very common as well. In the 19^th century, the Bowler hat became more famous than the cowboy hat and won the hearts of the people of America. 

Winston Churchill and Prince William wore it while serving their duties, whereas Charlie Chaplin and Oliver Hardy wore it while leaving us in fits of laughter over their epic comedies; the versatility of this headpiece is astounding. Alex DeLarge in A Clockwork Orange (movie, 1971) and Patrick MacNee in The Avengers (television series, 1960s) played characters that can be seldom remembered without their bowler hats as well. 

In 1972, with the release of the film adaptation of the Broadway success ‘Cabaret’, Liza Minnelli set the screen on fire as a Berlin nightclub singer in a black waistcoat, hot pants, and a bowler hat; later becoming an icon for the ‘smoking’ look of that era.  In the recent years, Emporio Armani, Balenciaga, Alexandre Herchcovitch, and Hermes amongst other big names, have had models sashay down the runway with bowler hats as a part of the collection.

Liz Minnelli in Cabaret

Patrick MacNee and Twiggy

Be it in a sexy black one or a gorgeous English pink number (like the one I have), the bowler hat will give you that look of having travelled back in time, and in a good way. This hat will add a pinch of elegance, a dash of sophistication and a dollop of nostalgia, resulting in the perfect ensemble. Pair it up with a white t-shirt and jeans, a floral printed skirt and a blouse, or a trench coat and boots, and the bowler hat will be the winner that completes the look!

Model: Harshita Shetty

Photo by: Aneesha Khatar 

The Look -
Bowler Hat: Vintage Store London

Cardigan: Bershka

Top: London street market

Skirt: Zara

Boots:Aldo

 

Model: Fabrizia Derna

The Look -

Bowler Hat: Vintage Store, London
Trench Coat: Mango
Top: Indian knitwear exhibition
Shorts: H & M
Bag: Cartier Vintage
Boots: Local Store in Florence
Necklace: Street market in India