Hoed met platte rand van oranje bandstro en soepele bol van bruin ripslint c. 1910

This is a hat with a flat brim of orange band straw and a supple bowl of brown grosgrain ribbon, created by Peel Mars. Looking at the hat, we need to consider its place in the social hierarchy of the time. Hats such as these were not simply functional items, but expressions of class, taste and social identity. The materials, the craftsmanship and the design all speak to the status of the wearer. Without a specific date, understanding its social commentary becomes challenging. Was it progressive, or conservative? The hat’s design could align with emerging trends, reflecting a desire for change. Or, it could reinforce existing social norms. To interpret such an artwork, historians might explore fashion magazines, social diaries, and trade records. The hat is more than just an object, it’s a material embodiment of the complex social and cultural forces at play during its time.