Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The war wasn't the only stress to the fashion world in the late 1910s. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 took a toll on the hat industry, as it restricted the use of migratory bird feathers. Some folks found a way around the now felonious feather trade, and instead tapped into the unprotected pheasant populations to make impressive feathered hats. This particular one was made by Wigal Hat Shop, Osakis, Minn. Donated by Laura Pomranke.
The Eddy County Museum has an impressive collection of hats. In fact more than two dozen different hat styles are represented in the archives.
For those of us who live in the 21st century, it can be hard to understand why hats were all the rage- and such an important part of every day life.
In the early 1900s, it was just simply good manners to keep your head covered. Sometimes it made practical sense, like wearing a bonnet on the open prairie. Such precautions prevented dirt and debris from tangling the tresses.
Other times, hats were a sign of social status. Driven by the fashion coming out of Paris, American women wore large and extravagant hats accented with feathers and pins. But that changed during the first world war. There was no longer any practicality in sporting large hats with extravagant embellishments. After all, Edwardian fashion just didn't say weapons factory or bomb shelter.
That's not to say people of the day did away with hats entirely. Instead women pushed the limit on fashion and took preference to smaller hats. Smaller hats worked better with the short hair that came into style after the war.
The result was a proliferation of hat styles. Of the two dozen fashion hats housed in the museum's collection, nearly half of them once belonged to Nellie Dykes, wife of Great Northern Railway brakeman Allan Dykes. They were donated in 1985.
At top left, an orange hat made of velvet and satin is accented with an orange face netting. At top middle is a lady's half-hat in black. It has black piping, white woven detailing and black face netting.
Netting was a common feature on many hats, creating a bit of a mystery for all who saw the wearer. The yellow felt hat at the top right sports brown netting as well as elegant plumes.
Above is an example of a lady's floral and mesh hat, complete with yellow and white faux flowers and yellow netting over top.
