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
1950s raffia Bes Ben cocktail hat
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing
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 metroretrovintage
1950s beaded cocktail hat
Courtesy of pastperfectvintage
1950s beaded cocktail hat
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing
1950s cocktail hats
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1950s Lilly Dache cocktail hat
Courtesy of rue_de_la_paix
1950s floral silk cocktail hat
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
1950s peach chiffon cocktail hat
Courtesy ladyscarlettsvintage
1950s coque cocktail hat
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing
1950s satin cocktail hat
Courtesy of thespectrum
1950s velvet cocktail hat
Courtesy of alleycatsvintage
1950s ostrich feather cocktail hat
Courtesy of myvintageclothesline
1950s Saks Fifth Avenue hand trimmed feather cocktail hat
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1950s Fields of Tulsa sequin cocktail hat
Courtesy of thespectrum
1950s Schiaparelli gold petal cocktail hat
Courtesy of alleycatsvintage
1960s cocktail hat with veil
Courtesy of vivavintageclothing
1960s velvet cocktail hat
Courtesy of thespectrum