If you've been following this blog for even a small amount of time, you'll likely know how incredibly wild I am about vintage hats. Big, small, fancy, understated, glam, utilitarian, it doesn't matter, if the words "vintage" and "hat" are in the same sentence, and we're talking about pre-1960s offerings in particular, I'm not just game, chances are, I'm asking about prices! :)
My own hat collection, which seems to grow as if by magic with each passing season, houses over forty family members, most of which get worn at least once a year, with many being frequent players throughout any given month. I've chatted here and elsewhere on the web fairly extensively about my passion for old school chapeaus (such as in this 2012 interview) and am sure it's a something I'll shine the spotlight on again many more times in the future.
Today however, the focus is less on my own hats and thoughts on the subject at large, and more on a seriously charming book all about antique and vintage hats called, rather fittingly, Decades of Hats: 1900s to the 1970s by Sue Nightingale, which was released in 2014 from Schiffer Publishing.
Without a doubt, one of the most frequently asked questions that comes my way - especially from strangers that I encounter when out and about - is some variation of "where does one go to find information on putting together and authentically styling vintage looks". There are many sources from which to learn and be inspired on this front, from the more obvious (movies, photos, museums, etc) to others that might not spring to mind right away, but which are well worth checking out.
Unquestionably one of the finest sources is books: vintage, modern, somewhere in between, so long as they pertain to yesteryear fashions and are historically accurate (or very nearly so), books are unquestionably an amazing source of help and inspiration on this front. They're not just for the vintage newbie alone either by any means. Every time I purchase or receive a new-to-me book that even slightly pertains to the past and contains images relating to fashion, I study them like I'm prepping for the SATs.
That's why I couldn't say yes quickly enough when a friendly rep from Schiffer Publishing offered to send me a copy of Decades of Hats for myself to keep and discuss on my blog, as well to provide a giveaway copy for one lucky Chronically Vintage reader.
This book, though it does include a wonderful introduction and some small notes peppered throughout from author Sue Nightingale, is not a heavy, academic read. In fact, it's very light on text - save for that which appeared in the original catalog pages that it is chock-a-block full of. Housed in this 144 page book you will find over 300 images, culled from authentic vintage sources, all of which focus on the beautiful hats in them.
For those who are familiar with Schiffer's popular "Fashionable Clothes from the ---" series of books, which feature scores of mid-century clothing looks from the pages of the Sears catalog, Decades of Hat follows in much the same vein.
The emphasis through and through here is on genuine early to mid-century images of antique and vintage hats. It is laid out chronologically from oldest to newest, with a small, helpful bit of author impute and plenty to inspire, delight and inform anyone who has the pleasure of flipping through its pages.
Whether you wear vintage hats often or not, if you're a fan of old school fashion - and chances are that if you're reading this blog, that's a heading you fall under - than you will definitely want to enter for your chance to win a copy of Decades of Hats. It's a fun, easy to read, wildly enjoyably book that you find yourself returning to time and time again, for both styling inspiration and the unfettered joy that looking at yesteryear styles themselves never fails to deliver in spades.
How to Enter
There are eight ways to enter this giveaway. You are welcome to do however many of these seven things as you like. Please leave a separate comment for each method of entry that you do so as to increase your odds of winning. Single comments that list multiple forms of entry can only be counted as one entry, so again, please leave a different comment for each method that you enter with (thank you!).
1. Leave a comment below letting me know what your favourite decade or era for vintage hats is.
2. Follow Schiffer Books on Twitter.
3. Tweet about this giveaway, linking to Schiffer Books’ Twitter account and using the hashtag #DecadeofHats in your tweet.
4. Like Schiffer Books on Facebook.
5. Post about this giveaway on Facebook.
6. Sign up for Schiffer Publishing's mailing list.
7. Post about this giveaway on your own blog, linking to both Schiffer Books and this post when you do.
8. Follow (or be an existing follower) of Chronically Vintage on Instagram.
Giveaway Details:
This giveaway is open to participants worldwide. It will run from today's date (May 12, 2015) until Tuesday May 19, 2015 at 11:59 PST. The winner will receive one copy of the book Decades of Hats: 1900s to the 1970s, which will be mailed to them directly from Schiffer Publishing.
I will draw the winning comment using a random number generator and announce the winner on Facebook and/or Twitter shortly after the giveaway has wrapped up. If such information is readily available on, the winner will also be contacted directly via email or Facebook private message. If you have any questions about this giveaway, please don't hesitate to email me.
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Decades of Hats is a lovely, fun read that will make you yearn for a time machine and bulging pocket book. I actually purchased a new vintage hat within days of reading it for the first time, because one of the styles it included spoke to me so much that I knew that I needed to enrich my hat wardrobe with one that looks quite similar asap!
This book is a fabulous resource for vintage fashionistas, hat collectors, milliners, costumers, and anyone who enjoys hats (and/or vintage catalog pages/ads) in general.
I want to sincerely thank Schiffer Publishing for teaming up with my blog for this great giveaway. As a lifelong bookworm who always has numerous titles on the go, there are few things I enjoy offering my readers as a giveaway prize more than a fabulous vintage related book like this hat image filled gem.
Many thanks, and best of luck, as well, to all those who take part in this fun giveaway (I can't wait to read more about your favourite decade for hats!).
