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Hat

1939 (made)
Artist/Maker
Carswell of Glasgow (retailer)
Place of origin
Great Britain (made)

The black felt bowler, hardened and strengthened with shellac, signifies Britishness worldwide. Originally designed in the 1850s as a practical and durable hat for gamekeepers, the bowler soon became standard wear for urban man. It has become an inescapable part of the traditional businessman's attire.


Object details

Categories
Hats & Headwear
Fashion
Men's Clothes
Accessories
Scotland
Object type
Hat
Materials and techniques
Felt, grosgrain ribbon
Grosgrain
Felting
Brief description
Man's bowler hat, black felt with grosgrain ribbon band, retailed at Carswell of Glasgow, Great Britain, 1939.
Physical description
Black felt bowler hat with grosgrain ribbon band.
Gallery label
The black felt bowler, hardened and strengthened with shellac, signifies Britishness worldwide. Originally designed in the 1850s as a practical and durable hat for gamekeepers, the bowler soon became standard wear for urban man. It has become an inescapable part of the traditional businessman's attire.(1997)
Credit line
Given by Mrs J.S.A. Robb
Object history
Worn by the donor's father, Mr. Archibald Houston.

Registered File number 1996/455.
Summary
The black felt bowler, hardened and strengthened with shellac, signifies Britishness worldwide. Originally designed in the 1850s as a practical and durable hat for gamekeepers, the bowler soon became standard wear for urban man. It has become an inescapable part of the traditional businessman's attire.
Bibliographic reference
De la Haye, Amy (ed.). The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947- 1997. London: V&A Publications, 1997.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.147-1996

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Record createdSeptember 15, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O84242/hat-carswell-of-glasgow/
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