Take Me Back… to World War II
There’s an old country music song that includes those words in it. For today, though I want to go back in time and show you one reason why I love the WWII era.
I guess the first time interest sparked inside of me was hearing my mother talk of growing up. The clothes, her jobs, the hardships and fun times, her relationships with family and friends and most of all, the pictures. I fell in love!
While researching the 1940s styles, I realized hats were very much a part of the culture. I became fascinated with the choices of men’s hats I could use. I loved seeing the pictures of men in hats. So romantic. So handsome. So nostalgic.
- Up until the 1950s men were seldom seen out and about without a hat on their heads.
- They’re classy and sophisticated, add personality and boost confidence. Hats can show off your personality–give you that extra bit of swagger, add interest or be a unique accent to your outfit.
- And a few functional reasons? They can add warmth to your head in the cooler weather, shade your eyes from the sun on hotter days, and cover a receding hair line!
For fun, here’s some to peruse. Perhaps it may even convince you to buy one, for yourself or your man.
The Flat Hat. Rounded with a small brim and a high back. It was long associated with the working class man in the United Kingdom. It adds interest to a casual outfit, like worn jeans and t-shirt.
The Fedora. At one time, it was considered a necessary accessory for formal and business attire. Today, when a man wears one, he is considered a trendsetter. They are soft, stylish and perfect with dressier outfits and business attire. They were worn by Prohibition-era gangsters, movie stars of the 1940s, and Old Blue Eyes.
The Porkpie. Similar to a fedora, but with a flat top, shorter rim and turned up. It’s associated with jazz and the blues culture.
The Homburg. My personal favorite is also similar to the fedora. It lacks the fedora’s pinches, the brim is turned up all the way around, and has a hatband and sometimes a small feather. It’s less casual than a top hat but dressier than a fedora. Politicians and diplomats in the 20th century wore them. Now, carriers a distinct gangster flavor.
One more: The Bowler. Hard, made of felt with very short brims. They were worn as signature pieces and protection in many scuffles.
Frank Sinatra said: Cock your hat–angles are attitudes.
- Wear your hat pushed back to seem more open and accessible.
- Tilt your hat over your eyes to seem mysterious and intimidating.
- Tilt your hat up one inch from completely straight to project an all-business attitude.
And finally, Hat Etiquette.
- Promptly remove your hat upon entering an elevator, restaurant, or someone’s home. Never wear your hat during a meal.
- Touch the brim of your hat lightly when greeting a friend.
- Raise the hat by the crown when meeting a female friend in public.
- Remove your hat during the national anthem and place it over your heart.
I used the Homburg in With Music in Their Hearts. What type of hat would you like to see me use in the next two books of this series?
And would you like to see these style of hats move back into popular fashion?
What’s your favorite style of hat?
* * *
Angry at being rejected
for military service, Minister Tyrell Walker
accepts the call to serve as a civilian spy within his own country.
Across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, a spy working for a foreign
country is stealing secret plans for newly developed ammunition to be
used in the war. According to his FBI cousin, this spy favors pink
stationery giving strong indications that a woman is involved.
He’s instructed to
obtain a room in the Rayner Boarding House run by the lovely, spunky
red-haired Emma Jaine Rayner.
Sparks of jealousy and love fly between them immediately even as they
battle suspicions that one or the other is not on the up and up.
While Tyrell searches for
the murdering spy who reaches even into the boarding home, Emma Jaine
struggles with an annoying renter, a worried father (who could be
involved in this spy thing), and two younger sisters who are very
different but just as strong-willed as she is.
Will their love survive
the danger and personal issues that arise to hinder the path of true
love?
Buy the book here:
Both rebels in their own way, Josie and
Jerry Patterson must figure out how to keep the other's love...and
keep the German enemy at bay.
She has two loves—her skating and
Jerry, her husband. But when he returns home looking like a skeleton
trying to return to life, she's scared. What happened in Germany to
change a man so much? Has another woman captured his heart?
Jerry has vowed to let Josie live her
own glamorous life...especially after what happened in Germany. But
when his wife's life is threatened, Jerry realizes he can't stand by
and do nothing. Jerry has to risk all for the very soul and life of
himself—Josie.
These two damaged, rebellious people
learn the hard way that leaning on God instead of their own selves
and abilities is the only true way to love and happiness.
Buy the Book:
2 comments:
What an interesting post, Carole! I remember what looked like the bowler hat from Stan and Ollie. It made me smile when I saw the picture.
I loved both books, especially A Flute in the Willows. It was a heartbreaking story that had an uplifting ending. I guess it hit home for me because of the changes I saw in my Dad when he came home from Vietnam.
Maybe a little gangster action? I've always been fascinated by that culture. Although the mobsters wore fedoras, I see their lower-class men who actually did the dirty work wearing the flat hats.
Thank you, Sherry. You're always such an encouragement to me! These books are probably my favorite ones I've written, although I love them all. :) Bless you!
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