Dinner hat

As society emerged from the conservatism and strictures of conventional 19th c. values, clothing designers embraced the increasing spirit of freedom and modernity by experimenting with shape and silhouette. Millinery is an area of design that lends itself particularly to unfettered creativity, as the functional demands are minimal compared to other garments. The distinctive form of this hat, resembling two large ears, was high style during the period. In essence, the entire crown is treated as a bow, indicating a fundamental rethinking about the relationship between ornament and structure. Testifying to the sophistication of the trade, the masterful drapery shows facility with manipulating the fabric, and the clipped ostrich feathers echo the soft points of the crown.