Exchanging Hats

Here is another Art Helfant comic strip about the haberdashery business. This time it is from from The American Hatter in 1921. 

A Hat Style Creed

In 1921, The American Hatter published "A Hat Style Creed," outlining five fundamental beliefs of the conscientious hatter. The creed was created in celebration of the fall hat style weeks, which ran from September 1st to 15th, 1921. 

Men deserve to have all the fun there is in hat wearing!     

The piece is attractively framed in a boarder of wild roses, and offers a message to hat sellers, and hat lovers everywhere, touching gently on themes of service, gender equality, aesthetic harmony, and embracing individual style. The instructions say to read the creed and then pass it on. To assist in reading the small text, I've re-typed A Hat Style Creed below the original. 

A Hat Style Creed

• We believe that hat wearing is more a matter of pleasure and pride than of strict necessity; that the hat is more an article of ornament than of protection; and that the men we sell to deserve to have all the fun there is in hat wearing. 
• We believe that a harmoniously hatted man can create a stir of admiration in the human mind as well as a cleverly millinered woman. 
• We believe that no man is well hatted unless his hat properly harmonizes with the shirt, collar, cravat, suit and shoes he is wearing at the time. 
• We believe that every gentleman should have enough hats always to be well-hatted, according to the above definition.
• We believe that it is the duty of the hat seller to assist and advise his patrons so that the hat is always the one most suitable to the face and costume under it. 

The Genuine Article

No delicate hot-house fashion illustrations here, we are assured. This is a real  man,  an intense  man, cutting loose with a real,  gutsy primal bellow! And, he's wearing a real  hat, one that's just as intense as he is!

According to this ad from a 1910 issue of Men's Wear Semi Monthly, Eagle Brand Caps would include a copy of the "forceful and attractive" oil painting, with every order of a few dozen "Gaylor" hats. But, who is this rough-and-tumble force of nature featured in the painting? What kind of man was chosen to be a visual representation of manliness, confidence and indomitable spirit? A closer look at the advertisement reveals the painting's title, and the subject's occupation: 

Is Your Hat Becoming a Habit?

Poor Mr. Jones. There is no special thrill for him, on those days when he would like to "feel that he is helping decorate the landscape." He needs to find a clever hatter, like Mr. Smith's. One who can suggest the perfect hats to go with his suits. 

This little pair of captioned illustrations were printed in a 1921 issue of The American Hatter, providing their readers with hints and inspiration. 

A Novel Approach

The international Tailoring Company comes a courting: 

This coquettish two page spread from a 1920 issue of The Clothier and Furnisher is really something else. The left-hand page looks like the cover a romance novel, and on the right, we have the opening page. They are willing, and if you are too, they say, "there's nothing to stop us from finding each other out," but will you take the first step and write? 

Well, if the menswear business is romance, then that explains this bold hat advertisement from a 1910 issue of The Clothier and Furnisher:

Panama Posies

Remember that colorful 1917 ad, declaring that is was "Time to Blossom forth" with the flowers and butterflies, by indulging in a little fine tailoring from the International Tailoring co? Well, here is a wonderful behind-the-scenes look at a 1920 ad campaign that took a similar angle, with wild success! 

Meet Style, and Quality

A history professor of mine once said "you just don't see male personifications in art." Well, maybe not in "art", but they certainly pop up quite a bit in old advertising illustrations. Style and Quality, here, are upholding the statement that the Hat is the finest in all the land. Of course, if they are questioned, we are assured that the Hat will back them up. A formidable trio!    

This ad is from a 1912 issue of The Clothier and Furnisher.

Selling Fashion with Fashion History

Every now and again, one stumbles across an editorial in a modern fashion magazine, which departs from the usual contemporary styles, and instead celebrates a moment in fashion history. Apparently this sort of thing has been going on for a while, as illustrated by these 1903 ads from The Clothier and Furnisher.