Woman's Riding Hat
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Description
This black, small hat imitates the style of a man’s Victorian top hat, but it is an 1860s women’s riding hat. Its crown is approximately 3 7/8 inches high, which is notably shorter than a man’s hat of the time. Riding hats were made of buckram and wire covered with cloth or felt. Constructed with a lower crown, these hats allowed room for wide ribbons and/or other fashionable additions to be wrapped around the outside. Around the brim of this hat is a black grosgrain ribbon band that measures two inches wide. The lining is removed on the inside and does not contain a label, which would have provided further identification.
The 1860s saw a shift in women’s riding habits. Instead of tight, well-shaped gear with close sleeves, equestrian costumes for women featured looser sleeves with deep cuffs on a basque bodice (“Victorian Riding Habits”). The skirts were longer than normal to provide coverage when mounted sidesaddle on the horse. Flannel undergarments provided warmth. Oftentimes, women would accessorize with tall boots, thick gloves, and full petticoats. Riding hats slouched and turned up close to the brim on both sides. They were typically black or brown and adorned with colorful plumes.
References
Victorian Hat History: Bonnets, Hats, Caps 1830-1890s. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2020, from https://vintagedancer.com/victorian/victorian-hat-history/
“Victorian Riding Habits.” (April 30, 2017) Victoriana Magazine. Retrieved December 10, 2020, from http://www.victoriana.com/victorian-riding-habits/