VICTORIAN shops 1870's - 90's Velvet 'Mourning Hat'

So what exactly is "Mourning" attire, and why was it so prevalent in the Victorian age in the 1800's? Well, by the middle of the nineteenth century, family mourning became a very public sign of upper & middle-class social respectability, where 'Etiquette Rules' prevailed. The English Queen Victoria---for whom the Victorian Era was named---was widowed at the age of 45 in 1861, and she proceeded to wear mourning clothes & accessories until her death in 1901. Many other widows and families during the Queens mourning decades, followed her etiquette example, especially those in the upper class & Nouveau Riche in the rising-ranks of the industrial revolution.

The trend eventually was taken-up by the middle class, and shops seeing this, the manufacturers stepped up as well, capitalizing on the production of dull black mourning wool's, black and white silk mourning crepes which was then made-up by dressmakers and tailors to suit the styles of the ever-growing demand...and eventually expanding to 'ready-made' attire at a better 'price-point' for the middle class.

Oh, what fashion trends folks have followed through the many ERA's!! And believe it or not, there are still some rare examples of these 'mourning' accessories and clothing, a century and a half later!

This 'wire-frame' hat is one of those surviving accessories---made of black velvet, it is in a rather "V" shape, indented somewhat in back to accommodate a ladies hair bun, and beautifully adorned with a plume of ostrich feathers atop the crimped and folded velvet. All along the inside ridge of the hat is a satin or silk pleated trim, so often found in these Antique hats, and the interior is a cotton or muslin, crimped and gathered and hand stitched to line the hat yet provide a comfortable amount of room for the lady's head. The long chin ties are of the same material of the pleated trim.

Considering this hat is about 150 years of age (don't know how many that would be in 'HAT YEARS'), it is in EXCELLENT Antique condition, with just a bit of wear on the edges and folds of the crimped and folded velvet covering the hat. The inside muslin lining has a bit of wear and a tear on the right hand side, and the chin-ties are a little bit frayed. But otherwise, it is STILL a STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL Victorian Age hat, able to be worn and loved for even more decades!!

Typical VINTAGE/ANTIQUE Condition and wear.

THANK YOU for looking at my listings, and I am always more than happy to answer any questions or provide more photo's.