Hat thumbnail 1
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Hat

1950s (made)
Place of origin

Leather aviator/motorist's hat, with sheepskin lining.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Leather lined in sheepskin
Brief description
Hat, leather flying hat, United States, 1950s
Physical description
Leather aviator/motorist's hat, with sheepskin lining.
Object history
Registered File number 1994/2036, Streetstyle exhibition 1994-1995, in the exhibition it was part of an outfit called 'Beatnik USA 1950s' (includes the boots T.1053-1994, the shirt T.1055-1994 and the jacket T.1058-1994).

The outfit was compiled with advice from Adrien Henri.
"This outfit simulates one of the looks favoured by the original Beats in the Neil Cassady and Jack Kerouac circle. Perceived as being almost 'sloppy', it was a powerful anti-establishment and anti-grey-flannel-suit statement. It pre-dates the Beatniks, who married French existentialist leanings towards black, with various Beat elements."
Bibliographic reference
Surfers, Soulies, Skinheads & Skaters : Subcultural Style from the Forties to the Nineties Described in the exhibition publication, part of an outfit called 'Beatnik USA 1950s'.
Collection
Accession number
T.1059-1994

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Record createdMay 27, 2009
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