honey pie vintage: Here's Your Hat and What's Your Hurry?

Hear that? That's the sound of me hopping on the holiday bandwagon. Yes, Christmas day is fast approaching and despite the fact that Vancouver is depressingly rainy, yet unseasonably warm, I can't fight off that fuzzy festive feeling.

Happiness is love, friendship and
a basket full of money, eh Georgey boy?

I know there are you cynics out there who would rather drown your memories of Decembers passed in unholy cocktail creations (eggnog and cranberry vodka anyone?). But, I challenge you people to sit down and watch It's a Wonderful Life then tell me your heart isn't as warm as a cup of freakin' cocoa.

I have to say, much of my Christmas spirit is imbued by this eternal classic. I am among the ranks who rate Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life as my favourite holiday film. The Griswolds, The Grinch and Ebeneezer are all well and good, but it's the story of George Bailey that really gets me.

The story of this utterly-American underdog - triumphing over adversity and capitalist cronies - is filled with heart-string tugging wholesomeness, sweet sacrifice, heroic hardships and hats. Yes, hats. Sleigh-loads of them.

Top: Donna Reed sports a casquette,
Marian Carr wears a fancy beret
Bottom: Gloria Grahame in a furry
fascinator and wide-brimmed hat

Set in 1946, It's a Wonderful Life provides a nice showcase for the many hat styles that were emerging in post-war fashion. Whereas the cloche hat of the 1920s had a deep crown and was worn low on head, women's hats of 1940s became more shallow to accommodate long, curly hairstyles. Hats also became more ornate, as hat-making material was one of the few things not rationed during the war.

And then there was the fedora. Who doesn't love the classic style of this easy-to-wear wonder? The term fedora comes from a Victorien Sardou play of the same name in which the title character, Princess Fedora, played by "the divine" Sarah Bernhardt, dons a hat of similar style. Indeed, the fedora-type hat was considered a women's fashion trend until the 1930s and early 1940s when it exploded into popularity for men.

Jimmy Stewart, you style-hound you.
Look at all those fedoras!

In the 1940s, the fedora was the very model of middle-class fashion. But, through the years, it has played the field with competing teams, being the uniform for the relentless law-man and the gun-toting gangster alike. Just goes to show that anyone and everyone can look good in a fedora.

So, as you head out into the blustery winter twilight en route to a festive family affair, Hanukkah happy-hour or just the nearest gas station to stock up on half-priced eggnog, remember George and his triumph over adversity; remember that friendship and kindness always prevail in the end; remember that every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings; and your hat. Don't forget your hat.

Chocolate Brown Velvet Hat by Vintage Repeats

This is the epitome of 1940s hat style. Little, lush with a subtle hint of glamour.

The Eden Fascinator Hat by Bohemian Bisoux

The fascinator is such a neat style. It certainly ensures those perfect curls wont be ruined by the dreaded hat-head. I love the colour of this particular piece.