A report out of Addergoole Ireland records the story of a young Titanic survivor named Delia McDermott who, although she was one of the first to find a lifeboat when the fated ship struck ice, returned to her cabin to fetch the new hat she had made a special trip to purchase prior to the voyage. By the time she got back to the lifeboat the Titanic was sideways in the water, but she managed to jump to safety from a suspended rope ladder. It would be interesting to know whether Delia’s precious hat survives to this day, but there are countless chapeaux like it from that era, that are housed in museums and private collections.

The joys of vintage hat collecting are many; from nostalgia (re-creating the by-gone days when no lady went out in public sans chapeau), to an appreciation of their artistic merit (they are an art from after all) to researching eras, designers, and workmanship. Throughout the years, hats were fashioned for every occasion and a splendid collection can be built around any number of themes. From feathers or furs to elaborate 1960s mother-of-the-bride hats, to the glamorous picture hats of the early Hollywood era, vintage millinery creations are readily available at antiques malls, thrift stores, and online auction sites. Hundreds of dazzling creations are listed continuously on eBay alone.

Antique hats are unique treasures in the world of collecting in that they are intimately tied to social history, being fashioned and worn according to such variables as season, time of day, activity, social status, age etc. and reflect up to the minute style changes throughout fashion history. They can stand alone as beautiful sculptural objects, or be appreciated for the secrets they tell about the people who wore them and the times they reflect.

Some collectors specialize in classic styles such as the turban, the pillbox, or the boater, while others turn their attention to the label a hat carries, prizing such finds as Schiaparelli, Dior, Mr. John, Frank Olive, etc. Still others search for period hats with an association to an historic event. Hat collecting is not new. The Emperor Charlemagne is said to have been so fond of berets that he amassed over five hundred of them as a hobby.

Hat collecting has become such a popular pastime in the last few years that the serious enthusiast will find considerable competition for the best pieces. Even children, recognizing the great dress up potential of a beautifully designed vintage hat, are getting into the act. For more on hat collecting, see my book, 1000 Hats, which chronicles 200 years of millinery fashion history, and showcases over 1200 hats along with a price guide for these collectible pieces.