How to Display Vintage Hats

Vintage hats take people back in time. Some think of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era when viewing top hats; others think of their grandmother when they see an old hat similar to hers. Many people enjoy reminiscing, and vintage hats provide that opportunity.  Vintage hats make an excellent conversation piece when displayed in an entry room, a boutique or a beauty shop.

• Stuff the hats with tissue paper to give them a filled out appearance when displaying.  This gives them a natural appearance.


• Alternate straw hats and baskets on shaker pegs.  The pegs can be placed in a kitchen or entryway. You can also use old coat hooks. 


• Display vintage hats on antique wire hat stands.  Place these stands on countertops in boutiques or on tables and nightstands in the home.  Look for old mannequin heads or buy new ones.  These are popularly used to display wigs but do the job for hats as well. 


• Place a winding staircase shelf in an unused corner of a room, and place vintage hats on each shelf.  This would work well in any room.


• Open an old hat box, and attach the hat to the inside of the box.  With the cover removed, attach the box to the wall to be used as wall art.


• Display vintage hats in a bathroom by placing them on top of towel rack knobs.  You can also use a pole-style toilet paper holder to place a hat on top of.  These come in styles such as chrome, wrought iron and antique metal.


• Use antique coat racks and umbrella stands to hang vintage hats in the hallway or entryway.  Floor standing coat racks made of cast iron or wood can be used as well as the accordion-style wooden coat racks that are hung on a wall.  A hall tree bench or a glass curio cabinet will also display hats nicely alongside a pair of old gloves and a vintage purse.