Skip to content

The pillbox is a round, brimless hat with straight sides and a flat top. The design was introduced by (Gilbert) Adrian for Greta Garbo in the 1932 film As You Desire Me. This type of pillbox was generally worn as a tilt hat. The pillbox became iconic when Halston designed one for Jackie Kennedy (which she wore toward the back of her head) in the early 1960s. Pillboxes grew gradually taller throughout the decade.

Written by TheSpectrum


1930s velvet pillbox hat - Courtesy of thespectrum

1930s velvet pillbox hat

Courtesy of thespectrum

1950s mink and velour pillbox hat  - Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s mink and velour pillbox hat

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s ostrich feather and satin pillbox hat  - Courtesy of Pinkyagogo

1950s ostrich feather and satin pillbox hat

Courtesy of Pinkyagogo

1950s pillbox hat - Courtesy of decotodiscovintage

1950s pillbox hat

Courtesy of decotodiscovintage

1950s tiny beaded pillbox hat  - Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s tiny beaded pillbox hat

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s pillbox hat -  Courtesy myvintageclothesline

1950s pillbox hat

Courtesy myvintageclothesline

1955 Balenciaga pillbox hat  - Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

1955 Balenciaga pillbox hat

Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

1960s  pillbox hat  - Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1960s pillbox hat

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1960s ethnic pillbox hat  - Courtesy of thespectrum

1960s ethnic pillbox hat

Courtesy of thespectrum

1960s floral pillbox hat - Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1960s floral pillbox hat

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1960s Jacques Heim pillbox hat  - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1960s Jacques Heim pillbox hat

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1960s pillbox hat  - Courtesy of clubvintage

1960s pillbox hat

Courtesy of clubvintage

1960s sequin pillbox hat - Courtesy of ladyscarletts

1960s sequin pillbox hat

Courtesy of ladyscarletts

1960s sheared beaver pillbox hat - Courtesy of thespectrum

1960s sheared beaver pillbox hat

Courtesy of thespectrum

1960s tall pillbox hat -  Courtesy of decotodisco

1960s tall pillbox hat

Courtesy of decotodisco

1960s Madeira embroidered souvenir pillbox hat - Courtesy of grandmastopdrawer

1960s Madeira embroidered souvenir pillbox hat

Courtesy of grandmastopdrawer