Vintage 1950s Cocktail Hat Beaded w Pearls and Rhinestones Alfreda Paris New York

This is a fabulous cocktail hat dating to the 1950s, fully beaded with faux pearls and rhinestones, except for some of the silver lamé visible in the centre of the hat. The rhinestones form a star shape in the centre and are also interspersed with the pearls as well as dotting the outside edge of the hat. In addition there is some metallic gold rickrack, visible along the edge of the centre of the hat and also within the body covered by pearls. The hat has a wire loop at either side, used to hold the hat onto the head, probably with the help of bobby pins. The label on the interior of the hat reads “Alfreda Inc. Paris New York” - Alfreda is known to have been active during the 1940s and 50s. The retailer’s label reads “French Fashions Steiger’s Springfield”. Steiger’s was a New England department store chain founded in Holyoke in 1896 - the Springfield store was considered the flagship store. The hat is in very good condition - there may be some rhinestones missing in the centre as the shape doesn’t appear complete, but it may simply have been made that way - in any case, this doesn’t detract from the hat, at least not in my opinion. The interior is lined in printed lamé fabric. The hat is sized as a 22 1/2, so should fit a range of medium to large sized heads. 

This is a wonderful quality vintage cocktail hat - quite striking with all of the faux pearls and rhinestones, sure to be noticed!