What color hat?

[LadyFae]

My sister and I have just started making my new noble gown- it is soft yellow floral jacquard for the main gown and has wine diamond print jacquard accents.  I plan on having a variety of forepanels for my underskirt choices.  I haven't decided what color trim and I'm sure that decision would make your recommendations easier BUT ANYWAY- what color hat (and trim for that matter) would you suggest I use with a yellow and wine gown?

[gem]

What kind of hat? What kind of gown? You say "forepanels," so I'm guessing the gown will be Tudor or Elizabethan?

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

A Black Hat goes well  with everything!!! It's the feathers  and Hatbands that can be changed.

[LordPaulet]

I vote for a soft yellow (even in the jacquard is fine) and wine trim as it will go with the main flow of the colors of your costume ...also incorporate any trim you use into your hat.  Another option is to have a soft yellow felt blocked into a hat and then trim it with wine ribbon and feathers.  I think that would look VERY nice especially if you like the tall hat look.

[McGuinness]

I vote for a soft yellow (even in the jacquard is fine) and wine trim as it will go with the main flow of the colors of your costume ...also incorporate any trim you use into your hat.  Another option is to have a soft yellow felt blocked into a hat and then trim it with wine ribbon and feathers.  I think that would look VERY nice especially if you like the tall hat look.

I think I'd go the other way - a wine hat with light yellow trim and wine and yellow feathers (if you are doing feathers on it). I agree though that it depends on the type of hat and type of gown.

[Lady Amy of York]

 Although  I  don't  sew much,  I  do wear noble  garb,  and   the  artist/ painter   in  me, loves  questions  about   matching colors. So i hope  maybe  i can help, along with the others on here.

It depends on what  type of  hat  you want. If you are going  for  a tall hat, the  color  black  would  be  very versatile  and  you  could  get  alot of use  out of  it. I  have a  black tall hat  that i wear  with  my different  gowns.  I  just  switch  the  color  of  my hat  band, or  feathers  to  match  my  gown.

I  also  have  seen alot of  tall hats  that are made  to match  the  color  of  the  gown.

I  like Colleen's  suggestion of  a  wine hat  with  yellow  trim  and  wine  and  yellow  feathers.  That would  look very pretty.   

If  you are going  for more  of  a flat cap  or  a muffin style  hat  i  would    then suggest  either  yellow  or  wine .

If  you are  doing  more of  a french hood  style I  would  go  with   either black  or  yellow  to  match  the  gown.

[LadyFae]

Thank  you for all of the suggestions so far!  Yes, it is a noble gown in a Tudor style.  I am leaning towards a tall hat in either black or wine with a yellow band and wine and yellow feathers.  I definately want a hat with a brim so as to shade my eyes from the sun.  I have a French hood for another gown and though I enjoy the look I hate that I squint so much!
Any suggestions on where to find great feathers and plumes for a hat?  I'm in MN if that makes a difference...

[auntiegiggles]

Since we should be done with your gown soon - maybe we should post a pic of it when its completed.  That way people can see the style of the gown.      

[Lady Amy of York]

Thank  you for all of the suggestions so far!  Yes, it is a noble gown in a Tudor style.  I am leaning towards a tall hat in either black or wine with a yellow band and wine and yellow feathers.  I definately want a hat with a brim so as to shade my eyes from the sun.  I have a French hood for another gown and though I enjoy the look I hate that I squint so much!
Any suggestions on where to find great feathers and plumes for a hat?  I'm in MN if that makes a difference...

I don't know if you have craft stores out there by the name of " Hobby Lobby ," but if  you do they carry a great selection of feathers  and  plumes  for hats. Atleast the ones out here in New York do.

A tudor gown with a tall hat will look very nice, plus it gives you  some sun blockage  with the brim. Do post pictures of  the  gown if  you can  for us garb lovers all to see.

[LadyFae]

We will definately post pics.  Don't be too hard on us, though- Giggles and I are really new to this sewing thing!  =D

[auntiegiggles]

I love the Hobby Lobby!  The closest one to Minneapolis is in Fargo, ND.  Luckily I will be up there in May to see what they have. 

[Adriana Rose]

Dont forget Michaels or Joannes. They have feathers too

[Imestra]

Hobby Lobby Rocks!  Those stores are HUGE.

[LadyFae]

I haven't had much luck at Michaels nor Joanns.  =(  For feathers, anyway- we spend LOTS of time in both places on a regular basis for many other items.  =)

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I have had good luck with eBay for finding Ostrich Plumes and Pheasant feathers. Often times, a seller will have an assortment of different sizes and colors. Plumes over 14" look better on larger hats, though they can be cut down at the stalk.

I like the Ostrich drabs feathers for Hats in that they are smaller, softer, and do not overpower a hat. Cavalier hats look dynamite when adorned with the larger Ostrich plumes.

[DonaCatalina]

I buy all my feathers at Osctriches Online
The prices are good and the quality is great!
They also have way more than ostrich feathers so if your looking for phaesant, cocktails or anything else they are likely to have it.

[LadyFae]

Thank you SO much DonaCatalina!!!!!  That is a phenominal site!  I greatly appreciate the heads up!

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I buy all my feathers at Osctriches Online
The prices are good and the quality is great!
They also have way more than ostrich feathers so if your looking for phaesant, cocktails or anything else they are likely to have it.

Dona, there are so many kinds.  Drabs, femina, male, wings, tails.  Which type do you buy, and what length? 

Thanks!

[DonaCatalina]

I use male tails for Don Juan's hats so they are long and fluffy.... 14-16 inches.

Except the flat caps, which work better with the drabs and femina....8-10 inches
image here
Wings can be good for feather fans as long as they are not the tips... 12 inches max.

[Adriana Rose]

This may seem random but its a great place to get feathers.

Look for an ostrich farm, they might sell the feathers. I found one between Pheonix and Tuscon and they sell the molted feathers in huge bundles!