Ahalo hat (sometimeshalo brim hat) is a millinery design in which the headgear acts as a circular frame for the face, creating a halo effect. The design is said to date back to the late 19th century, when it was known as theaureole hat; this name is sometimes still used.[1] It may also be known as theangel hat orbambini – the latter said to derive from Italian for terracotta plaques depicting the infant Christ.[2]
A halo hat may be a wide range of sizes – some lying close to the head in the style of abonnet orcloche and others that are similar in dimensions to apicture orcartwheel hat. Typically, designs are worn towards the back of the head to create the 'halo' effect.[3] Some designs with open crowns may also be referred to as halo hats or as diadems.[4] Popular from the 1930s on, the halo hat was created in a variety of fabrics – knitted or crocheted versions could be made at home – and could be a circle or semi-circle in shape. The halo became popular with brides; one of the most famous examples is the blue straw half-circle halo created for the wedding ofWallis Simpson by the Parisian millinery house ofCaroline Reboux.
The halo hat is said to have first come into fashion the late 1880s, when it was usually known as an aureole hat (a synonym for halo), and this was a name that continued to be used to describe the circular or semi-circular shape into the 1930s.[2] TheMilwaukee Sentinel used the term to describe a new hat style in 1937.[5] Similarly, describing the outfits worn by racegoers at aSandown Park meet in 1937,The Times referred to an: "aureole-brimmed" hat design.[6]
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The halo shape became popular again from the start of the 1930s in both the United States and Europe. It was a distinct move away from the cloche style that was worn low over the brow, as the halo exposed the face and brow, also showing off more elaborate curled hairstyles becoming popular during this era.[7]
"Halo hats are so new" declared an advert in a US newspaper in 1931.[8] A 1934Sears catalogue featured a halo hat design as part of itsLoretta Young collection, adding: "Take advantage of Loretta Young's fashion judgement and wear this new off-the-face hat! It'sdifferent ... There's something of the angel's halo and something of the bucaneer's bravado in its dramatic, folded-back brim".[2][9]
In 1933The Times reviewed the Christmas catalogues, saying: "the new season millinery, with its leading novelty, the 'halo' hat, is specially interesting".[10] The following year, theDuchess of York was described as wearing avelvet halo hat to attend a charity matinee withPrincess Elizabeth.[11] Three years later, Wallis Simpson would wear an iconic gown and halo bridal headpiece, made by Caroline Reboux's studio in Paris and trimmed with pink and blue feathers.[12][13]
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The halo was a flexible design. While it could create a large frame around the face – as with the circular straw design that featured on thePicture Post in 1940 – it could also have more modest proportions.[2] Like thedraped turban, the halo style lent itself to adaptations – feathers, bows, trims or flowers could be added – making it a versatile hat style.[14] It could also be made at home; a variety of patterns were created during the 1940s to inspire knitters and sewers.[15] Larger versions suited the post-warNew Look designs, balancing the proportions of the full skirts that were fashionable afterwartime austerity.[2]
The halo-style hat became popular for wedding outfits – futureFirst Lady of the United StatesBetty Ford wore a large-brimmed halo wedding hat in 1938 – and half halos would become a staple design for more traditional wedding headpieces, remaining popular in bridal designs.[2]
In the mid 1960s,British Pathé's 1964 filmHats on for Winter featured a large-scale halo design with sunburst pattern, alongside visors and caps. Designers such asGraham Smith created oversized examples during the late 1980s.[16]
Among the most memorable modern halo-shaped hats are the design created byPhilip Treacy for influential fashion editorIsabella Blow, and the wheatsheaf halo-effect headpiece he designed for the wedding ofCamilla Parker Bowles to Prince Charles.[17]
millinery + halo hat.