The year was 1954 and THIS HAT appeared on the scene. No longer would a girl have to choose between people watching or shielding her face from the sun. This chic and quirky hat came with whimsical built-in sunglasses. What’s not to ADORE! Now, normally when I do vintage posts like these, I love to give you guys a little history…but to be honest, I don’t know much about this hat. I know it was from the 1950s-60s. And that most were made in Italy. I also know that this hat is AWESOME. I mean have you ever?? The hat was intended to be worn two ways: perched on your head or tilted down so the faux sunglasses were around your eyes.
At the first Tiki Oasis I went to, I spied THE HAT and was obsessed. I finally bought one for myself a few years ago and around that time my friend Doe bought one too. We giggled as we put them on. So fun! Then another friend bought one. And then another. Dottie was on the hunt and she scored one too! Before you know it, we were a “sunglasses hat” girl gang! At the last Tiki Oasis we all brought our fancy funky hats and had a laugh at all the many different styles!
They can run a little pricey ($50-100+), but if you keep your eyes open you can find them on eBay and Etsy. Here are a few of the other styles:
This one got a little tiki makeover with a sweet rattan fringe on top! The “glasses” are extra large too. Yes!
How about this kooky version—complete with eyebrows!! My friend Karen owns it and it’s hilarious and awesome:
They even made a version for kiddos—Wolfie has the cutie one on the right:
If you can’t track one down never fear! Kate Spade (who we all know loves the vintage looks) came out with their own version—with red or black “shades”. I have it in red and it’ SUPER cute!
So whaddya think? Is this crazy cool hat “you”?? Would you buy one? Do you already have one??
I am so obsessed with these hats too! And I’ve also mysteriously hit a wall while trying to find information about it online. Maybe it’s just that “sunglasses hat” is such a general term. I know that my eBay alert for that term is FULL of crap that is definitely not that hat. I managed to pick up one of the older Kate Spade ones, with the red round eyeglasses, but I am having some SERIOUS envy of the ones with the raffia pom-poms on top!
Lady I’m totally coveting the rafia ones (or the tippy top one on the post). I also snagged a Kate Spade one in red…..and I have to say it’s nicer than the vintage one I bought. (SCANDALO to even say such a thing, I know….but my vintage one is kind of in shabby shape.) I’m on the hunt too—we’ll find you one!!!!
I was considering making one myself before I found the kate Spade one. Seems like if you could find a decent quality straw bucket hat, the rest would just require some moderate crafting skills!
I’m thinking I should break out the glue gun and give my Kate Spade version some personality!
One word, Landry: EYEBROWS!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!
I bought one last year at the thrift shop and I am going to attempt to make the sunglasses myself!!! Ugh!!! lets see how this works out since I am NOT crafty! (Monica)
you have to share the final results!
I have one, but the ribbon is brown and one of the shades is cracked, so I’m contemplating buying some vintage lily pulitzer fabric and redoing mine! FIE BROWN!
Ooh I have been on the look out for one of these hats ever since you posted a photo of yours Alix! I am so in love, hopefully one day the stars will align.
Very cute and creative hats I love them all 🙂
http://www.vindiebaby.com
Vintage Inspired Girls
Can’t believe there’s so many others out there who love these hats as much as I do! I have an extra one I’m trying to sell….it’s an original Betmar (made in Italy,) in great shape with yellow ric rac & blue lenses. Let me know if you know anyone interested in buying!
I am inquiring. about the hat with yellow ric rac & blue lenses
Hi there! Alas, none of these hats are for sale….
have you sold the hat yet?
Joan Eddy, I am interested in the one that you say that you have for sale. Please email me the details/ photos… mod_madness_66@hotmail.com
Hey does anyone know where I can buy hats like these.
I desperately need one for work!!!
I HAVE to find one!
where can I find one!!!!
This hat would be a life saver for me. I have Lupus and I’m allergic to the sun quite literally. To say that 5 minutes outside will make my face bleed is the understatement of the year. Besides this is SO my style. Does anyone have one for sale? I’m very much in love with it and I’m dying to have one. Help please!!! If you have one for sale please email me at gryffuah@live.com. Thanks!!!
I am a 75 newly wed and my new wife saw one of these in the movie “Aloha” and she really wants one for Christmas. Can anyone help?
Where can I find these hats available
Do you still make hats with sunglasses built in
Hi there, we never made these hats—we were simply celebrating them with this post. : )