"Dachettes" was acclaimed milliner Lilly Daché's ready to wear range. Lilly Daché made a huge business out of couture or custom millinery and also branched into other areas of glamour. At one time she had a huge 9 story building in NYC, kind of like her own personal department store and I cannot help but think that must have been quite a fabulous place to visit. Her hat output was extraordinary at her height and she hatted everyone who was anyone at the height of her fame in the 30s and 40s. Her hats are highly collectible and hard to find. In the 50s she started Dachettes a range of ready to wear hats. By 1969 she had retired. So that helps date this quite specifically. I think it is more 60s than 50s. It has a 1920s cloche hat style covering a large part of the head including the ears and the 1960s did have a lot of 20s influences in fashion.
I am not sure which way around this hat is to be worn. It looks fine both ways. If you put the label at the back, the text is upside down so I was a bit unsure. I have photographed it both ways. You can also wear it on top of your head or slightly farther back. It is made from a faux chinchilla fur. It is quite floppy not stiff, It has a shallow crown and a folded brim that cuts up both front and back. There is a darker gray grosgrain ribbon trim at the bottom of the crown. It is lined with a grosgrain ribbon edging insidfe. The brim does cover your ears so this is good for winter.
There is no size marked but it seems to be one size fits all. It is shown on a small mannequin head of 20.5 inches, but it even fit my large 23 head well. It has a bit of a loose fit so it is not something that is uncomfortably tight on your head and it will accommodate a lot of hair and whether you wear a low bun or ponytail. It is possibly one of the most versatile hats I have ever come across. It will work as an outdoor hat, but it will also work with a 20s style long cardigan and trousers or skirt look (as seen in the 70s). It is a very clever design in that it should suit everyone in some way at least.,
It has two labels, the Dachettes, designed by Lilly Daché label and B. Altman & Co, the department store it was sold through.
It is in excellent, clean condition, a really lovely, winter cloche style hat.
Please zoom in on the photos and feel free to ask any questions.
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