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Fedoras ... Jessica Good ... Britney Bad!
Fedoras have quite the history in Americana and film noir. Most of us associate many of our favorite male stars of yesteryear with fedoras, but the fedora actually originated as a ladies' hat. In 1891, the fedora was originally designed and sold for women. In 1920, the style became popularized and redesigned for men. Fedoras were an instant success, with tan and gray styles becoming especially popular for males. Fedoras are often believed to be a style specifically reserved for men; however, colorful fedoras that vary in size from the men’s styles have always been a staple in ladies' fashion.
From “Tough Guy” to Metrosexual
It is a delight to look at fedoras in Hollywood and popular culture. The most important fedora inspired style is the classic image of a Prohibition era gangster, decked out in a tan trench coat and a tough guy fedora. These days, however, fedoras have gone from the trademark accessory of the very tough to the hat de jour of the very metrosexual. However, it is still fun to remember the days when men in fedoras were not pretty boys who enjoy manicures each Wednesday.
Remember Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca? This iconic look certainly cemented fedoras as the staple of the hunky leading men in the films of the 1940s, 50s, and early 60s. Fedoras have been the staple accessory of many male iconic characters, including Indiana Jones, The Blues Brothers, and in a very strange and twisted manner, Freddy Krueger. Although Freddy Krueger is indeed a demented character, we still think that he pulls the fedora look off better than Ashton Kutcher does.
Towards the 1960s, fedoras became a virtually ancient style, and they were replaced by smaller brimmed newsboy caps. Wider brimmed hats were harder to wear while driving, and subsequently, drivers opted for the “safer” newsboy hats.
Classic Fedoras with a Modern Twist
Today, fedoras are popular among celebrities like Johnny Depp and Hugh Jackman, who both seem like they are fairly worthy of donning them. Female stars like Cameron Diaz and even Jessica Alba pull off the look with ease. However, other celebrities like Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears have also incorporated fedoras into their on-stage styles. For the most part, these fedoras are glittery and fancy little pieces of felt that couldn't hold a candle to the iconic fedoras of the Casablanca era. But then again, most contemporary fashion styles have a hard time competing with the classic styles of yesteryear. |
