Vintage 1960s Leopard Faux Fur Pillbox Hat Swiss Plush Felt Reggi of Wilshire M

This is a wonderful faux fur hat made during the 1960s in a pillbox shape.  It is made of Swiss plush felt, dyed to look like wild cat fur, kind of quasi-leopard - the colour is like leopard but the spots are actually closer to snow leopard.  The interior of the hat is unlined except for the grosgrain ribbon around the opening.  It has a black bow at the front.  The felt is very soft and pliable, so I posed the hat with the top indented, but you could wear it with the top puffed up, almost like a beehive shape (see photo of hat posed like that taken from the side).  The opening measures 21 1/2” around, but the hat is meant to sit towards the back of the head, so probably would fit a range of medium sized heads.  It is in very good condition with no wear, tear or staining - this hat has been well cared for over the years.

Age: early 1960s

Label: Reggi of Wilshire.  Reggi of Wilshire advertised in fashion magazines mostly during the 1950s and had “New York Paris” on the earlier labels.  At some point, they moved to California.  The felt is stamped “Body Made in Switzerland”

This is a wonderful Swiss quality hat - the leopard pillbox was popularized by Jackie Kennedy during the early 60s and immortalized by Bob Dylan in his song “Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat”.  Iconic fashion statement!