Back in the '30s, when movie stars like Dietrich and Garbo were assiduously understudied by millions of faithful followers, a mannish slouch hat - along with inch-long eyelashes and a wide mouth - was standard equipment for all the would-be glamour girls. Relegated for some time to country roads and rainy days, hats like those Marlene wore 15 years ago (1935 - my annotation) are back in style. With the slim, sophisticated tweed and flannel street clothes shown this season, a big soft hat pulled down over longer hair looks good again.
How mannish a hat a woman can wear depends on her face. On Marlene even a severe fedora could look glamorous. On a woman who lacked her features, it could be disastrous. To avoid a too-masculine appearance, the 1950 fedora is satin-trimmed and is worn with velvet, furs and plenty of jewelry. Most wearable of the new slouch hats are soft-brimmed styles, which can be manipulated to suit the weather.
Chin strap anchoring big-brimmed hat is Garbo trademark. This is green velours (Mr. John, $70).
Deep crown, also typical of Garbo hats, can be dented to suit the wearer (Dobbs, $12.95). It is worn with new town tweed suit (Vera Maxwell, $70).
Strict fedora, like one Marlene liked to wear, is felt with satin trim (John-Frederics, $49.50).
photos and documentation: LIFE Magazine (US) | Zetu Harrys collection
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