The History of the Iconic Cloche Hat: Making 1920s Fashion

[@JoannaLouise200]

They're all so beautiful, but I particularly favour the elegant green-gold cloche with the amazing vintage trim & side feathers...it will be so much fun to wear!

[@naowright9308]

With the brass band it made me think, "Snazzy!" I loved it!

[@Chibihugs]

That beautiful cloche hat with your scarlet waves is breathtaking. I am loving this deep dive. I wish hat would be more popular again.

[@denisegore1884]

All fashion trends start with one person. My friends and I wear our hats often.

[@kagitsune]

I predict that they shall! Especially as people become more aware of skin damage from excess sun exposure, and as historically-inspired lower-maintenance hair washing/styling routines gain some popularity. 😁

[@lisaharmon5619]

Hats will be fashionable when we start wearing them. Why wait for "fashion" to tell us what to wear.

[@gustavmielke777]

I always wear hats, everything season. If you like it, wear it.

[@michellebyrom6551]

Cloche hats are the easiest to keep in place when walking about. Like the beanie, the smaller ones don't get in the way in cars either. Start with something simple in a neutral colour. You can add different trims/brooches/hat pins for variation and experiment. You'll soon be proudly sporting something bright and fancy as your confidence grows. Yes. People look. I've never had any nasty comments, only compliments. The rest just smile in a friendly way. Enjoy yourself. 😉

[@OdeInWessex]

I love hats, on other people and those really suit you. The gold one is really rather spectacular - the kind of hat worn by Rudolph Valentino's paramour, a woman of confidence, fun and adventure. The black one has a touch of 'Italian Widow' about it, terribly stylish and potentially dangerous sheltering dark secrets. The red one, my favourite, is the hat of a trailblazing female reporter fearlessly investigating the murder of the Italian Widow's husband by - allegedly, the deeply in shock paramour of Valentino, all against a Duke Ellington soundtrack. Phew, you have been a busy, very talented woman!

[@mirandarensberger6919]

Please let us know when your screenplay is ready, I totally want to watch that movie!

[@coalsparks]

I agree, the red one is so awesome and makes you look like you’re about to get up to something! :)

[@thedreamsicle1]

Doesn't she have a name?

[@Vee_of_the_Weald]

Wonderful story telling. 👌🏼

[@mastersadvocate]

I am a hat person, and I just adore Cloche hats. It was the MISS FISHER'S MURDER MYSTERIES that got me interested in 1920s hats and fashion! I enjoyed listening to your history of the Cloche, and seeing you make some hats was pure magic! Thank you for sharing! ~Janet in Canada

[@Randaed]

The green hat is SO gorgeous! I didn't expect that, but when you put it on it just came to life.

[@jennycorey8968]

I could watch you make hats and shoes all day long! My favorite? The olive/gold one.

[@gideonstupke2257]

I'm so happy to see someone else that has a love for 1920s fashion! I'd love to see these styles make a come back

[@kellysouter4381]

I love those meringues of hats the Edwardian ladies wore. Especially with the scarfs wrapped around. So pretty.

[@allylouise1761]

I am just in awe of how talented you are. Is there anything you can’t do? I think I would feel slightly less inadequate in life if I found out that you were completely inept at folding a fitted sheet (for example).

[@indiabilly]

I second that emotion! Was going to ask if there’s anything she can’t do, I would appreciate it if she could tell me she can’t cook or something- anything to make me feel less inadequate xx

[@NicoleRudolph]

Haha! I’m terrible at traditional sports. Can’t catch or throw a thing.

[@indiabilly]

@@NicoleRudolph thank you, I appreciate the effort, that’s a start! But I’m not that great at sports either xx

[@KellyinMemphisDD214]

@@indiabilly I am good at sports, but I’d rather be a good @sewing/shoe and hat making! 😢

[@user-zp8sk2rc4m]

@Ally Louise I thought exactly the same! She floors me with every video! I'm sure she merely needs to look at a fitted sheet and it obediently folds itself!

[@kikidevine694]

The film, The Gay Divorcee has an older female character who seems to dress stylishly, but a few years behind actual fashion and, if memory serves, wears a beautiful cloche with 'wings' framing her face, accented by darling wispy feathers. I love it because it mimics the art deco shape and frames the face, rather than obscuring it. It also, with the movement of the feathers, emphasises the flighty nature of the character. Hats are extensions of the person wearing them. Which is why yours are so brilliant

[@ShannonLambert]

Every project in this series has been more stunning than the last. You've really outdone yourself here, and they're all just gorgeous.

[@patriciagleve4784]

Wonderful! My favourite 'fashion' period - the long column clothes; the shoes (sigh) the HATS!!!! I've spent a very happy 25 minutes watching this when I should be outside painting the porch 😆When I've finished painting, I'm gonna watch some more! Thank you ❤

[@sarahburke8955]

The olive hat totally won my heart; it's probably because of the trim. They're all glorious, though- If I could pull off that style, I'd wear all of them!

[@susanblanche9684]

Ofcourse I love that green hat. So chic and classy!!

[@sinswept]

You know, I thought the black on black hat would be my favourite because olive is not a favourite colour of mine, but that olive hat and the shape of it really suited you! It was my favourite in the end together with the burgundy one :) So cute!

[@michellebyrom6551]

The green and gold trim looks like it was made for the hat, not the other way round. I love all of them, but that's my favourite. This cruise is going to be a trip of a lifetime. This preparation is half the fun.

[@johannageisel5390]

The green and gold one is spectacular! I love it! That trim is amazing! The black one with the simple black band and the red one are tied on position number two of my favourites. The black one with the golden swirls is number three.

[@Fellinara]

I shared this to my facebook because while I don't wear 1920's styles, I loved the how to make them as well as the history. However I melted as soon as I saw the dog in the olive clouche! So freaking adorable!

[@mjw1111]

I love these deep dives into the where, when, and how fashion trends start. Awesome video as always.

[@lauraguglielmo]

It's amazing how much a good hat completes an outfit!!

[@animosity9197]

I love seeing the different kinds of hats you can make with one hat block! Pinching the top of the crown makes a totally different silhouette with that same block, and I never would have thought to try it without seeing it!

[@phranerphamily]

I bought a cloche style hat at the J. Peterman store before it disappeared in the 1990s. It is still my favorite hat which is beautiful burgundy with feathers and a velvet black flower. All of your hats are stunning and I think you have inspired me to maybe try my hand at doing my own 🥰🥰🥰

[@vintagelife5195]

These rabbit holes you take us all down are always so interesting. Youre an amazing craftsperson.

[@saneben9917]

Couldn't agree more. What an amazing crafts person xx Such interesting videos. Gives you the history and then you see how things can be crafted, followed by the reveal. I just appreciate and love these types of videos. We'll done Nicole Rudolph. Brilliant video.

[@PumpkinBecki]

When I think of Cloche hats, I immediately think of Stella Gonet in the 1990's BBC TV series "House of Elliot". She looked stunning in all of them! I adore Cloche hats, and I think it's a crying shame hats are no longer part of everyday attire xx

[@ByIlonaMillinery]

It's lovely to see interest in millinery! I prefer to apply stiffener to the inside of the hat bodies before they are shaped - this way you avoid the possibility of discoloration and staining from the stiffener. Using fully wet felts can also cause pins to rust and stain the felt - so I always use just steam - just a lot of it. Depending on the quality of the felt, it can take up to 30 minutes for the seam to fully soften the hat body.

[@littlegrayfishes]

What beautiful hats! Watching you make these hats reminded me of my millinery internship right after high school. I loved watching the felt cones take shape on the form after steaming, and then linging and decorating them. too bad this profession is a dying one and opening a hat shop usually means not making any money these days unless you are very lucky. But I do love it deeply!

[@johannayaffe2647]

I suggest selling hats online...especially to the rich & famous, or to religious groups, many of whom wear hats for modesty reasons...also in the UK it's pretty de rigueur to wear hats/fascinators for the races, regattas, & weddings - and garden parties

[@charlottejohnk6712]

Girl you need to be super proud of yourself! Those hats are gorgeous and they look amazing on you❤. I enjoyed watching your process and I learned so many interesting pieces of history. I’ve recently become interested in the 20’s after watching a 1929 silent movie entitled “Why be Good?” The lead actress, Colleen Moore enchanted me so much I got my hair cut just like hers and I love it. Have an amazing time on your cruise, you can rest assured that you’ll be beautifully dressed!

[@rejoyce318]

Nicole, your hair is stunning, especially the iridescent effect of the colors against the waves.

[@ginalou5774]

That shot of the model at the end was fabulous. Between the two of you you made those hats look stunning 😊

[@elainebye9090]

I love these hats! Especially the green one. I am interested in the ones your mom is making, too. Could you list patterns somewhere?

[@NicoleRudolph]

Crochet patterns for tams: www.etsy.com/listing/797528863/bear-brand-bucilla-300-c1925-pdf-ebook Crochet pattern for checkered hat: www.etsy.com/listing/493948233/fleishers-knitting-crocheting-manual-18

[@susannechinn647]

Such lovely hats Nicole. You are very talented. I have watched many of your videos over the past week, first time commenting.

[@frankieamsden7918]

Absolutely FANTASTIC!!! I've been living vicariously through your videos. I would have liked to do this cruise but my husband isn't well enough. I hope you are going to vlog about it. I can't wait to see all your outfits in action.

[@MicheleLHarvey]

Oh wow, Nicole! These are stunning! As a new subscriber I'm busily devouring all your deep-dive & inspiring videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge & beautiful creations! Really spectacular!

[@janisi9262]

That red hat is so smart with the suit! I see what you mean about the hair felt: it's a completely different texture. I was a little apprehensive about the green shade, but having it paired with the trim and the outfit really balanced the colours. I still think it'd be dodgy with some complexions, but it works on you! At 12:55, there is a hat with cross-lacing, which is a nice decoration in itself, but could possibly be used to keep other decorations in place.

[@annastevens1526]

3:25 Wow! 😳 I've never seen this tall-but-short hairstyle reproduced by any historical recreations or historically-set popular media. A really unusual in-between stage on the road from Edwardian hair-haystacks to sleek Marcel-waved bobs...? Thank you so much for this fascinating deep-dive Nicole, it's awesome. As you note, we generally tend to view the generic '20s cloche in isolation, without really thinking about where it actually came from or went to, so learning more was fascinating! Love seeing your final creations too. (And yeah, I've encountered the phrase "shingling & bingling" in ref. to the 1920s women's haircuts, but only in contemporary fiction...? Think maybe it was in a Dorothy Sayers book?)

[@amb163]

This is so fascinating to watch! I've made a few felted wool cloches before, but I knit mine huge then wet-felt them down to size, molding them here and there as they dry. A lot of the shape comes from my initial knitting pattern, though. Yours turned out so beautifully -- I might have to steal a few of the shaping techniques you used!

[@argusfleibeit1165]

Really love the olive one. I have always been a hat-wearer, mostly to avoid sun. And I tend to like the ones that come down over my eyes, not sticking up from the crown. However, I often find myself feeling a little claustrophobic in them, feeling like my peripheral vision is impaired. First I'm pulling it down, then I'm pushing it back. And because I've also worn glasses most of my life, that tends to interfere with freedom of hat wearing. The first cloche I ever saw was in about 1970 in a magazine showing maxi-coats. It was a heavy crocheted cloche, and I was crazy about the look. When I actually found one in a local store, I was SO happy. I wore that hat all winter for several years. Recently I challenged myself to replicate the shape by crocheting three or four yarn strands together to get the right weight. They turned out great, but living in Georgia, they are probably too hot to get much wear out of.

[@VtorHunter]

I am loving this series of making clothes for this trip so much. I love all the research and thought that is going into all the layers and accessories. Those hats look so great! Bailey was super cute in the olive one. I can't wait to hear how the trip goes. I would also be interested in how you are going to pack all of these items.

[@tmbentley1966]

I’m imagining a ton of suitcases, a steamer trunk and who knows what else.

[@johnshepard629]

The model at the end, in the white fur, is extraordinarily elegant and lovely!

[@jenniferleighmiron8135]

Your hats are absolutely beautiful. I hope you will be taking pictures on your cruise so we can pretend, for just a moment, that we are back in the " roaring twenties" on a cross continental cruise.

[@kimberlyarnett2356]

I have to let you know that as I was watching this video, my number one human walked by and exclaimed, "Wow! I love what she's done with her hair. It looks so good on her!". I told him about the cruise, etc., And I think he might be a little jealous. I'm in awe of your skills and hope you have a wonderful time!

[@cassandralyris4918]

I always felt that cloche hats looked weird on me, but it looks GREAT on you. Another fantastic job. 🤩

[@MichelleH1791]

These cloches are beautiful! I love, love, love hats.

[@kathrynmccarthy]

Oh! I love how these hats turned out. They really complete the look. It's as if you time traveled right out of the 20s

[@litzgrahmann6468]

These hats are perfection! So flattering on you.

[@chamberswagner2010]

"Police Sergeant Good-Taste" - nice! Now I'm wondering when exactly the term "fashion police" started to be used.

[@ruthmeow4262]

I love cloche hats, would wear them every day if I had the option.

[@kerryhorwitz4093]

Beautiful hats. I really admire your talent. I love how you use a gorgeous piece of trimming in a simple way that accentuates both the trim and the hat, rather than giving in to the temptation to use too much and having it gobble up the shape and texture of the hat itself.

[@dagnolia6004]

The side look you give the camera whilst wearing the fabulous goldenrod hat is reminiscent of a young Norma Shear… so beautiful!

[@renbortosky7052]

These hats are all so beautiful! I think the olive one is my favorite, but the silk on the red one is just gorgeous.

[@isabelpires927]

These are glorious, and the whole capsule wardrobe is turning out soooo beautiful!

[@EliDeNeige]

This yellow hat hat the nice brim is SOOOO nice and fit so well !

[@emilyrln]

It's amazing how much shinier the fur felt is than the velour felt! All of these are so gorgeous!! I have severe hat envy now 😂

[@JadyLester]

Cloche hats are favorites of mine. Im low-key obsessed with these, this content is directed right at me

[@luciarel8131]

I wish that making clothing, hats and shoes was really as effortless as you make it look! The hats are all stunning, but my favorite it definitely the red, with the ridge on top, and a perfect match with the suit.

[@chrisbeckstrom6182]

The white soutache on the first black hat is brilliant, Brava!

[@cindypierce6269]

I loved all three hats. Your eye for detail and ability to make it happen is truly inspiring, but Chloie makes the best model. Older patient dogs are the best.

[@johannahayhtio8608]

Lovely hats, all of them 😍 my favorite is that green one 💚

[@susandickerson2663]

They really finished off the outfits!! Amazing!! Looked good on the dog too😉

[@peculiarheroine]

I love this! I adore hats- I'm never without one,- and the cloche is by far the style I wear the most. These are all beautiful. It was wonderful to learn this history of this iconic headgear, and I can't wait to see more of your 1920's wardrobe!

[@annastevens1526]

It's so weird to me how hats, headscarves & generally any kind of non-religious head covering seem to have basically died as a fashion in most contexts I frequent...? I could understand them having been unpopular in the era of huge '60s-80s hair, but given the growing popularity of pixie cuts, and bobs, and even close shaves for women, it's weird they haven't really made any come-back... 🤔

[@junolee8826]

i'm 9 seconds in. your hair is STUNNING.

[@phemyda94]

I wonder how much the ubiquity of the cloche hat was also due to hatmakers being able to use the same blocks for everything. Convenient for the consumer and the manufacturer!

[@aliceblanchard8715]

Observers of the late Queen Elizabeth's hats will have noticed that the same shape has been used over and over - different blocks over the decades. Hat blocks are still made ( Guy Morse-Brown) but are indeed very expensive.

[@funkycoldmedina29]

The only hat I ever regret not buying. A plum cloche hat back in high school. It looked so beautiful on and I felt beautiful in it.

[@SusanYeske701]

That yellow green one with the vintage trim looks spectacular! And that's not even a color I usually like, so wow!

[@PolyvoreThea]

So coool to see someone actually make cloches!!! Bless your heart!

[@paulamiller8386]

The green hat was sooo good on you. I love cloche hats. I have 2. One from a chain store and the other from a charity shop. Both get a lot of wear each year.

[@Lovetwou]

I watched you make the Capitol flats it was amazing work thank you for keeping history alive. We learn to appreciate even shoes

[@melissashiels7838]

Loving the red waves, Nicole!

[@hawkhillfalconer3529]

also, bear in mind, that cars are becoming more common, and it is very difficult to wear a large hat or wide brimmed hat in a car. The cloche hat is perfect to wear in a car.

[@marynimocks6791]

You are an absolute WIZARD with hats and shoes!!! And everything else. Haha! So well done!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

OMG they came out so well! I especially loved the first one, and the red one!

[@bethliebman8169]

What great hats! Very flattering on you. I loved the history and the making. Shout out to your mom for the crocheted numbers.

[@Condesamontes]

I know that my great grandmother and her mother and aunts all wore the cloche hats. They were fashion conscious women, they later wore pillbox style and wide brimmed hats when I was a child. I used to wear beautiful hats when I had long hair.

[@ceciliabergstrand8845]

Beautiful!!! You are amazing! Maybe the tight fitted hats came in fashion as motor car racing was getting popular, and the tight leather flyer caps were used when flying airplanes.

[@mariekado7151]

All the hats are spectacular, especially the green/gold one. You are so talented.

[@cherylrosbak4092]

Fur felt has such a beautiful sheen. I have a brown fur felt cloche with cream top-stitching; I don't know if it's 20s or 60s revival, but it's one of my favourite hats.

[@lisabmpls]

This video and the ones you did for the Dandy Wellington cruise bring to mind my Great-Grandmother’s photo album of a Trans-Atlantic trip she and a friend made in 1929. They went from the US to Europe and the Middle East in Jan 1929 and cloche hats were definitely worn! Thanks for making such cool content!

[@kerriemaher2822]

Hats suit you so much. The outfits are really coming together now & they look wonderful

[@SeeMeRolling]

I always wanted make historical clothes, hats and shoes like u do, and I get so inspired from u, I love everything u create, and u remind me that something so time-consuming and complicated as tailoring and shoemaking is POSSIBLE for a regular person like me, my whole life I said to myself I can never do that, where will I find ways to learn? Where will I get materials? But u remind me that if I really want it to happen I can make it happen, and instead of doing nothing, I shouldn't let anything stop my creativity, and should follow my heart!!! SO THANK U SOO SOOOO MUCH for sharing ur creativity and hard work and wisdom with us, it is so inspiring and motivating❤ I'm turning 25 on Monday and I'm getting my first own sewing machine as a gift from my dad!! (I'm very inexperienced so I'm planning sew simple staple pieces at first)

[@amaeve1950]

May I say, you look fabulous in this video. The hair is on point with that dash of red making your eyes glow! Also, the waves are 😗👌

[@oopzidazey6114]

What a great tutorial. I was captivated. Your hands are very beautiful as are your extraordinary hat creations. Bravo.

[@cris-amv]

Lovely, lovely, lovely! They are all so, so beautiful! You look amazing in all three! I love hats and seeing yours made me want the cold weather to come again so I can get one in similar styles! 😊

[@shamancarmichael5305]

The heck with shoes, hats are the thing! These are fantastic! I can't wait to see all the amazing ensembles together on the ship. Beautiful work!

[@roselewis24]

Beautiful I think the green suits your face the best but the red with that suit is the best complete outfit. I wish I had the time to learn all these crafts.

[@melindaschink6072]

The olive-gold hat was my favorite. Very well done! I 'm envious of your talent. I can't wear hats. My head is too big. Lol

[@kimberlypatton205]

Oh how much I love the looks and cloche hats!

[@emilylindtveit3896]

I’ve been avidly following your planning and execution of the “capsule wardrobe”. I adore all the documentation and research in your videos!! It makes my day when there is a new post from you!

[@hazeluzzell]

I really can’t wait for pictures of you in these creations!!

[@nanettebromley8843]

Thanks Nicole for the video. The hats turned out amazing. The olive green and red ones are my favourites. I do have a cloche hat some where in a box that I bought a few years ago and have never worn. Must dig it out and see what colour it is. Its either navy or black I think. Then I will make (or attempt to) an outfit to go with it.

[@terristephens9820]

Beauteous is the word I use for the hats and how they look on you. Thank you for sharing your creative skills and knowledge. This video makes me want to break down and make a cloche hat. Lovely!

[@bjchadwick4261]

Beautiful. They are all fantastic but I think the shape of the green and dark red ones is more flattering for you than the black one. I’m in awe of your talents!

[@saneben9917]

What an amazing video......hats, hats, hats!.....oh how I so love hats. You really suit these style of hats. Unbelievable you actually made them!. It was great to see the processes Ive never seen this before. The green hat is my favourite hat and it REALLY does look lovely on you.

[@tmbentley1966]

The green hat looks absolutely stunning on you!

[@gwhitcom]

The way you made that all look so quick and easy - but I'm sure it was anything but! They all look so great on you.

[@ksbrook1430]

Beautiful! The gold cloche is my favorite.

[@peggyriordan9857]

I don't know how I missed this video!! Thank you for letting us see how you made the hats. They came out so nicely and look beautiful on you! You will be getting alot of compliments on them for sure. Thanks again!

[@tabithacollins6003]

I only today stumbled across your channel, and what a journey it has been! I was awestruck at the simply beautiful works of art, which you created in making your own shoes, to then seeing how amazing your design and tailoring skills were, compiling your fabulous capsule wardrobe, to now showing how you design and make hats…. Your skill sets are absolutely incredible 🙂 I have now subscribed to your incredible channel. Greetings from Germany:-)

[@saraa3418]

OMG these came out so well!! I love the concept of a cloche, but have never found anything that works on my big head.

[@quicksilvertears921]

I just get excited when Sunday comes because of you.

[@serenescenicsarah]

I love the gold/yellow/green hat, and you look fantastic in it!

[@elizathemermaid]

All the hats are gorgeous and the history is so interesting! I especially love the green-gold cloche and clearly your puppy does too