Hat

Best & Co.

1931 · straw, silk · Costume Institute

The asymmetrical shape of the brim of this chic and jaunty hat exudes the femininity of the 1930s woman. The close-fitting crown of the 1920s cloche is still evident, but the open brim, which shows more of the face, exemplifies the transition from the boyish Flapper to a more feminine woman. As hairstyles became longer, softer and incorporated more curl and wave, hats changed in order to display this new style.

Artist

Best & Co.

Date

1931

Medium

straw, silk

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Hollis K. Thayer, 1958