Hat Pins

I adore hatpins. They are long, decorative pins that were once an essential accessory for women's hats and I think they have so much potential for headwear now.

They were used to keep hats securely in place on the head, but they also had a significant cultural and social impact. Hatpins became popular in the late 19th century when large, elaborate hats were in fashion. These hats were often quite heavy, and women needed a way to keep them from falling off their heads. The solution was a long, pointed pin that could be inserted through the hat and into their long coiffed hair, creating a secure anchor. 

As hatpins became more popular, they also became more decorative. Women began to collect hatpins as a way of expressing their personal style and taste. Hatpins were made from a variety of materials, including precious metals, glass, and enamel. They were often embellished with beads, jewels, and other decorative elements.

Hatpins had a practical purpose, but they also had a symbolic meaning. In the early 20th century, women began to use hatpins as a form of self-defence. With the rise of street crime and attacks on women, hatpins became a way for women to protect themselves. Some women even took courses in self-defence using hatpins as a weapon.

The popularity of hatpins began to decline in the 1910s and 1920s as hats became smaller and less elaborate. Women no longer needed such long pins to keep their hats in place. The decline was also fuelled by concerns about the danger of hatpins as potential weapons, and some cities even passed laws regulating their length and use.