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The late 1940s saw a new social gathering called the Cocktail Party, and along with it came the cocktail hat. Similar to a half or clip hat, the cocktail hat is small and meant to be worn at formal evening occasions.

They are crown hugging and may have side prongs (grips) in varying shapes to help keep them in place. The hat body is usually constructed of velvet or brocade and embellished with rhinestones and/or feathers, which distinguish them from more-casual, daytime styles. They often, but not always, have veiling.

Written by AlleyCatsVintage


late 1940s tilt sequin cocktail hat  - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

late 1940s tilt sequin cocktail hat

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1950s raffia Bes Ben cocktail hat  - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1950s raffia Bes Ben cocktail hat

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1950s Bes Ben beaded cocktail hat - Courtesy of RareJuleVintage

1950s Bes Ben beaded cocktail hat

Courtesy of RareJuleVintage

1950s Bes Ben cocktail hat  - Courtesy of rue_de_la_paix

1950s Bes Ben cocktail hat

Courtesy of rue_de_la_paix

1950s Bes Ben cocktail hat -  Courtesy of rue_de_la_paix

1950s Bes Ben cocktail hat

Courtesy of rue_de_la_paix

1950s Bes Ben cocktail hat  - Courtesy of metroretrovintage

1950s Bes Ben cocktail hat

Courtesy of metroretrovintage

1950s beaded cocktail hat -  Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1950s beaded cocktail hat

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1950s beaded cocktail hat  - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1950s beaded cocktail hat

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1950s cocktail hats  - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1950s cocktail hats

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1950s Lilly Dache cocktail hat  - Courtesy of rue_de_la_paix

1950s Lilly Dache cocktail hat

Courtesy of rue_de_la_paix

1950s floral silk cocktail hat - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1950s floral silk cocktail hat

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1950s peach chiffon cocktail hat  - Courtesy ladyscarlettsvintage

1950s peach chiffon cocktail hat

Courtesy ladyscarlettsvintage

1950s coque cocktail hat  - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1950s coque cocktail hat

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1950s satin cocktail hat - Courtesy of thespectrum

1950s satin cocktail hat

Courtesy of thespectrum

1950s velvet cocktail hat -  Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s velvet cocktail hat

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s ostrich feather cocktail hat  - Courtesy of myvintageclothesline

1950s ostrich feather cocktail hat

Courtesy of myvintageclothesline

1950s Saks Fifth Avenue hand trimmed feather cocktail hat - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1950s Saks Fifth Avenue hand trimmed feather cocktail hat

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1950s Fields of Tulsa sequin cocktail hat - Courtesy of thespectrum

1950s Fields of Tulsa sequin cocktail hat

Courtesy of thespectrum

1950s Schiaparelli gold petal cocktail hat - Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s Schiaparelli gold petal cocktail hat

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1960s cocktail hat with veil  - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1960s cocktail hat with veil

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1960s velvet cocktail hat - Courtesy of thespectrum

1960s velvet cocktail hat

Courtesy of thespectrum