One of the most popular hat styles of the 1950s was the cellophane raffia straw hat. It’s not difficult to find these kind of hats at garage sales or secondhand shops; they are usually union-labeled or don’t have any label at all. Like any vintage hat, old cellophane raffia hats can be a great material source. However, this synthetic material does need to be treated in a specific way.

Cellophane is a waterproof plastic wrap derived from PVC or polypropylene. Cellophane straw braid is still manufactured today, as are a variety of other viscose-based and semi-synthetic braids. These are often called Swiss braid and the main manufacturer is still located in Switzerland. Hats made from Swiss braid can be unpicked because they are made from one long piece stitched into a circle.

To create an upcycled cellophane raffia headband like the one shown here, on the other hand, you will need an old hat that was originally woven as a hood and then blocked. This will make it easier to reblock it on the bias. When looking for a good vintage hat to repurpose, check that any trimmings were sewn, rather than glued, on. The centre top of the old hat will not be needed for this halo headband style, but do check for any wear or damage on other parts of the hat that you won’t be able to hide.

This upcycled headband tutorial was written by American milliner Amy Fowler, owner of Humboldt Haberdashery.

Category: Fascinators

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