Are you a hat lover or maybe you know one?

I’m sure by now,  you’ve already got your Romantic Valentines Day plans down.

So maybe you need an idea for another date? Perhaps you find yourself looking for a fun new way to spend some quality time with someone special, or a fun girls day adventure.

Day 277 of 365 Things To Do in Pasadena has a little outing for you, the Mad for Hats Exhibit at the Pasadena Museum of History (PMH).

This new exhibition at the Pasadena Museum of History explores 100 years of the social and fashion phenomena of women’s hats!

Throughout time, hats have been adorned for a variety of reasons. In early times, hats were purely utilitarian providing protection from the outdoor elements.  Over the years, hats evolved beyond their functional purpose to become an essential accessory that indicated the wearer’s economic standing, social status, or fashion savvy.  All you have to do is watch last night Grammy Awards to see some of the more unique adornments.

As with all fashion statements, the popularity, size, and shape of hats has changed measurably over time.

In past decades, a respectable lady or gentleman would not have ventured outdoors without one. The design of women’s hats has been influenced by hairstyles, haute couture, new materials, even the popular use of the parasol. The impact of men’s hat designs – such as the top hat and the fedora – has also been remarkable.

There will be more than 70 hats and related photographs selected from the museum’s collection on display. They will showcase the various materials, styles, and shapes of ladies hats from the 1880’s to the 1960’s.

The exhibit is open 12:00 to 5:00 pm Wednesdays through Sundays until June 12, 2011.

Heard about “Community Wednesdays“?

The Pasadena History Museum offers free admission on Wednesdays to anyone who works, lives, or attends school in Pasadena or surrounding communities. For additional details, please visit www.PasadenaHistory.org

Location:

Pasadena Museum of History
470 W. Walnut St.
Pasadena, 91103
(626) 577-1600

Visit 365 Things To Do In Pasadena®  for more fun activities in Pasadena California and surrounding neighborhoods.