Artifact: Woman's Hat, taupe felt
Materials: Felted fur or wool; silk lining
Dimensions: Diam: 20 1/2"; crown 5/8" high.
Date: 1806-1827
Origin: Lancaster, Pensylvania
Collection: Image Courtesy of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
License: All rights reserved
Ledger Entry: Women's Felt Hat
Department: Outerwear
Customer: Mary Sarbuck
Ledger Page: 19
Imported From: Most of the clothing accessories sold in the Ramsay store would have been imported from England.
Product Description
Courtesy and custom dictated that both women and men either wear or carry hats when outdoors. While they could serve the practical functions of warmth and protection from the elements, they were also expressions of fashion, status, and wealth. Women's hats often featured wide brims to protect their face from the sun. While womens riding hats could be made of the same felted beaver, wool, or camel as their male counterparts, women's hats were more commonly made of chip or straw covered or trimmed with various fabrics, ribbons, and trims. Women often kept up with current fashion trends by refreshing the fabric or trim of a hat.
Citation: Colonial Williamsburg. “A Colonial Lady's Clothing: A Glossary of Terms.” Accessed February 26, 2017. https://www.history.org/history/clothing/women/wglossary.cfm;
Historical Price: 4 shillings; Modern USD: $44.8
Product Variations
