Wool Hats & Autumn Scarves
[column large=”5″ first=”true”]
[/column]
[column large=”7″ last=”true”]
Brisk weather is just around the corner, and The St. James Market is stocking up on the well-loved autumn staples of wool hats and cozy scarves. Hats and tea have a long-standing history here at The St. James, but an even longer history around the world!
For women, headwear became more prominent during the Middle Ages when the church decreed their hair must be covered. Fast forward to the early Edwardian period, when it was fashionable for a lady’s silhouette to resemble an “S.” With the bustle at the back of the dress, and the hat positioned over the face, fashionable ladies were able to achieve this desired shape.
From 1908 – 1911, women’s hats were at their largest. Some would even extend well past the shoulders! With these larger and less wind resistant styles, the prominent need for hat pins arose. Going in one side of the hat, through the hair, and out the other side, these pins could be as long as eighteen inches. Ladies at this time also found the added bonus of using their hat pins against unwanted advances.
In World War II, hats became quite plain. It was actually considered unpatriotic to suggest one was more concerned about one’s appearance than the war effort. While hats are not a requirement for us today, we do love a good hat, or a fascinator, while attending afternoon tea!
[/column]
