Vintage 1950s Lilly Dache Dachettes Hat Wide Brim Black Straw Size Small

This is a wonderful vintage black straw wide brim hat made by renowned milliner Lilly Dache (Lilly Daché). The hat features an interesting shape, with a brim that is much wider in the front and a flat top crown that is slightly angular with a front that comes to a subtle point, straight sides and rounded back.  The base of the crown is wrapped with a grosgrain ribbon, and again, a little unusual with the bow at the side rather that at the back.  The brim turns up at the edge.  All of these touches add character to what is normally a standard shape.

Age: 1950s, maybe early 60s

Label: Dachettes Designed by Lilly Daché / Made in U.S.A. Daché started her millinery career by purchasing a New York hat shop in 1924.  She was a fashion innovator, known  as the originator of this raised style of beret and also for her turbans.  She introduced Dachettes as an affordable line during the Depression years of the 1930s.  She closed her shop in 1968 and sold the last 30 hats in the shop to actress Loretta Young.

Material: Excellent quality straw, I believe Milan straw.  Beautiful weave with lovely sheen.

Sizing: There is no size label, and although this should fit a small size, please rely on the following measurements for fit, taking the style of the hat into consideration:

Opening:  20 5/8” around the grosgrain sweatband - this normally would fit a size 6 5/8, but I think that the hat is supposed to sit higher up on the head.

Brim:  5” wide at the front, taken from the underside, following the contour. 3” at the back.

Crown:  3 1/4” in height, 22 1/4” around, taken at the base

Condition: It is in very good condition - no wear, tear or staining and very clean.  This has been well stored and cared for.  Please ignore any light reflection that is causing a whitish glare on the top of the crown

This is a very classy hat - wonderful for a formal occasion!