This circa the late 1950s or early 1960s Bes-Ben hat is a “bucket hat” style, with a round, flat crown and a downward-curving brim, in light brown or mocha fur felt. Large flower appliqués in the same material trim each side of the crown, embellished with dark purple, iridescent plastic leaves (like large sequins). The flowers’ centers are trimmed with golden-brown lucite, “moonstone” beads. The hat is designed to rest on top of the head as shown, rather than pulling down low like a modern bucket hat style. The crown is lined with peachy-pink mesh, to add body and help keep its shape. The underside of the brim appears to have been treated with starch, which has gotten lighter and more visible over time, although it should be hidden under the curve of the brim when the hat is worn. The hat is completely hand-sewn. In very good condition, the only issues to note are the starch, mentioned above, and a bent tip on one purple leaf-shaped-sequin. This 1950s-60s vintage hat creation by the famed Chicago milliner is an easy-to-wear style, and a nice find for a Bes-Ben hat collector, too!Crown height: 2.75”Total hat diameter: 10”Brim width: 2.75”Inner circumference at the lower edge of crown: 20”Label: Bes-Ben Made in Chicago

This item is sold from a vintage boutique in Chicago, IL.