Important Hats of the Twentieth Century Ticket Additional info
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The history of theater has always been closely intertwined with fashion. Over the years, actors and actresses have worn some truly remarkable outfits that have become iconic in their own right. While costumes have played a significant role in shaping the style of various periods, the one accessory that often gets overlooked is the hat.
From the bowler hats of the working-class to the glamorous pillbox hats of the elite, hats played an important role as both a fashion statement and a prop in theater productions of the Twentieth Century. In this article, we will highlight some of the most memorable and groundbreaking hats from this period that have etched themselves into the fabric of our culture.
1. The Bowler Hat
No image of the early 1900s would be complete without a bowler hat. This iconic hat was created in 1849 for gamekeepers in the UK before it became a symbol of “middle class respectability”. Its simple, round shape and sturdy design made it perfect for everyday wear. However, its versatility also made it a popular choice on the stage, where it could be used to give characters a sense of authority or seriousness.
One famous example of this is in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, where Vladimir and Estragon sport bowler hats throughout the play. Their hats help to create a sense of uniformity and monotony, which highlights the repetitive nature of their existence.
2. The Cloche Hat
The 1920s brought about a major shift in fashion, as traditional gender roles were challenged and more emphasis was put on women’s economic independence. Cloche hats symbolized this new era of women’s rights by being modern, practical, and daring.
Cloche hats were close-fitting, bell-shaped hats that hugged the head and framed the face. They were often worn with short haircuts that had a boyish quality, making them a symbol of defiance against long-standing beauty standards. In theater, these hats were frequently used to convey a character's independence and fearlessness. One noteworthy example is in the play Morning’s at Seven by Paul Osborn, where actress Edna May Oliver wore a cloche hat, setting her apart from her conservative sisters and conveying her free-spirited outlook on life.
3. The Fedora
In the 1940s and 1950s, fedora hats became incredibly popular among men of all ages. These hats had a distinctive crease down the middle, a wide brim, and were often made from materials like wool or felt. Fedoras were associated with the sophisticated style of the big city and were favored by characters who exuded confidence and power.
One notable performance featuring a fedora was Humphrey Bogart's portrayal of Rick Blaine in Casablanca. The hat helped to create an air of mystery around the character, while also adding to his overall image as a tough and worldly-wise man.
4. The Pillbox Hat
The 1960s brought about another shift in fashion, with Jackie Kennedy becoming a major influencer of what was in style. The pillbox hat, which she famously wore during the 1961 inaugural parade, became a symbol of both her elegance and modernity.
The pillbox hat was a small, flat-topped hat that was worn on top of a bouffant hairdo. It became a staple of women's formal wear and was often decorated with elaborate trimmings such as netting, feathers, or jewels. While popular in fashion, the pillbox hat never quite caught on in theater due to its delicate design.
5. The Top Hat
The top hat has been synonymous with wealth and power for centuries. From the classism depicted in Charles Dickens' books to the elegant looks of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, this hat never went out of style.
One memorable performance that comes to mind is in the musical My Fair Lady, where the lead character, Henry Higgins, sports a top hat throughout. This hat helps to convey his status as an upper-class linguist and adds to the visual spectacle of the show.
Conclusion
Hats have played a major role in defining the fashion of various periods, and theater has always been at the forefront of incorporating these styles into their actors’ performances. From the bowler hats of the early 1900s to the pillbox hats of the 1960s, each era had its own signature style that was influenced by theater productions.
In conclusion, we can say that hats are not just accessories – they are props that carry heavy symbolism and effectively convey a character's traits, status, and personality. Even today, hats continue to be an important part of theater costumes and will always remain an integral part of fashion history.