What characteristics make up a "Zoot Hat"

[Marc Chevalier]

You can get the feather from here: http://www.californiamillinery.net/


The store is a time warp. It has been around since the 1930s, and many of its feathers in stock are from that era. (Some of them still have their original 1930s price tags attached -- but with the original prices crossed out, of course.)

 

[Rick Blaine]

Zoot Suit Store has these----->

But you want a really long Pheasant tail feather, IMO.---------------->

To achieve this:

 

[monbla256]

These folks out in San Fransisco have 'em http://www.zootsuitstore.com/Shopping/default.asp as well as http://www.elpachuco.com/ out in Los Angeles.

 

[Rodkins]

I don't have anything that big

 

[J.B.]

Check out the feather department at Ostrich.com!

Another possibility is Plumes N' Feathers, as well.

:thumb:

 

[Wildblue]

Ah yes, thanks, fellas! No, I'm not going for 3' monstrosity, but I think something like a 10" pheasant feather might be just the ticket. They're not very expensive, so I ordered a couple versions. Will see how they turn out!

 

[dennisb]

hats from zoot era

Anyone know what the large brimmed fedoras were popular during the zoot suit era?

 

[tonyb]

Anyone know what the large brimmed fedoras were popular during the zoot suit era?

Not sure I understand the question, Dennis. But I can tell you that I'd be interested in hearing some well-informed commentary on all things zoot.

The attire itself isn't something I would emulate. It would "read" as a costume, especially on a person like me.

 

[T Jones]

The zoot fashion definitely caught the attention of the makers of this cartoon character....

 

[CaramelSmoothie]

Ah yes, thanks, fellas! No, I'm not going for 3' monstrosity, but I think something like a 10" pheasant feather might be just the ticket. They're not very expensive, so I ordered a couple versions. Will see how they turn out!

I love the picture in your avatar, lol.

I tend to believe the speculation that the zoot suit was invented in Harlem to be correct. It just looks like something the musicians in Harlem of that era would wear to look sharp since looking sharp is everything when you are performing for the public. It would look too costume-y today like most vintage clothing does.

 

[Stanley Doble]

I did a little searching on the net some time ago. It seems the first "zoot suit" was made for a young black man in Georgia who went to his tailor and had a suit made in the style of the "Prince Albert" coat worn by Clark Gable in Gone With The Wind, which was just out at the time.