The Century of Hats: Headturning Styles of the 20th Century

This coffee table style book is organized by decade and full of illustrations and photographs. Because of similar books already in our collection (e.g. HATS by Colin McDowell or HATS IN VOGUE) that were published earlier, this 1999 contribution didn't add much to the genre for us, but if you don't have one of the similar books, this is a good one to collect.

Nice overall presentation of hat styles, designers. milliners.Brief, informative bios.Great photos, great reference book.Must have for hat enthusiasts as well as hat makers.Not a source for technique.

The book covers hats, hat-makers and hat-wearers of the 20th century. It does have a chronological order, however, the contents still seem a bit jumbled. There is not much detail, but loads of information - all kinds of little tidbits and short (very short) biographies of milliners, "flashlights" on famous hat-buyers and fashion-leaders and their influence on the hat-styles of their time, little histories on single hat-styles and so forth. If you're looking for specific information - be prepared for despair. You'd have to be either very determined or very lucky to find the information you're looking for. If you want an easy-reader with great pictures, a feeling for the decades of the 20th century, the people and the hats, this is IT. The aspects and number of people and hats covered or featured is amazing. Overall, I'd recommend the book (there are not enough books on hats out there, anyway!) but would advise you to look elsewhere for detailed information.

I have always been a lover of hats and I when I picked up this wonderful book I could not put it down. The photographs are absolutly outstanding, colorful and detailed, the text wonderfully written, and a great book to have on your coffee table. Even if you don't collect hats as a hobbie this book is wonderful to cuddle up with on the couch or in front of a cozy fire.

The pictures are great, the text is well written. You learn more about famous milliners like Philip Treacy or Patricia Underwood. I simply love this book.