The history of hat pins is a fascinating blend of fashion and function with an important role in Victorian history.
1. Ancient Roots: Hat pins have a surprisingly ancient origin. Hairpins and decorative fasteners were used in ancient civilizations, including Rome and Greece. However, the specific concept of hat pins as we know them today began to take shape in the 18th century.

2. In the 18th century, elaborate women's hats became increasingly popular. To secure these large and ornate hats to their hair, women used long pins of up to 30cm's with decorative heads. These early hat pins were more about function than fashion and were used to weave both through the hat and the hair beneath to protect against the hat being dislodged in a swift gust.

3. The Victorian Era: Hat pins reached the height of their popularity during the Victorian era (19th century). Women's hats were enormous and often adorned with feathers, ribbons, and even taxidermied birds. Hat pins served a practical purpose in keeping these extravagant creations firmly in place.
4. The Suffragette Movement: Hat pins took on a new role during the suffragette movement of the early 20th century when they were not only a fashion statement but also a means of self-defense. With the advent of increased social freedom for women, bringing independance such as unchaperoned excursions and employment, some men were waiting to try their luck. Masher’s (aka male letches) positioned themselves in transport and on the streets to sexually assault these women. However, the long hat pins they wore were used a the main tool to fend off harassers and attackers.
5. The Hat Pin Panic: The use of hat pins for self-defense caused a moral panic. Some cities, including Chicago and New York, even proposed legislation to regulate the length of hat pins. The concern was that these seemingly innocent accessories could be turned into dangerous weapons and laws were brought in, in the Western world, to reduce the size of hat pins to manage this 'threat' to men.
The Smithsonian has a fascinating article about the trials of being a man at this time:

6. Fashion Evolution: As fashion evolved and women's hats became smaller, the need for long hat pins diminished. In the 1920s, the flapper style emerged with women sporting shorter hair and smaller hats, marking a decline in the popularity of hat pins.
7. Collectibles Today: Today, vintage hat pins are highly sought after by collectors. They serve as a reminder of a bygone era when hats were an essential part of a woman's wardrobe, and hat pins were both functional and fashionable.
8. Modern Revival: In recent years, there has been a growing resurgence in hat pins. Some modern fashion enthusiasts are adorning their felted trilbys, fedoras and flat caps with bespoke, colourful handmade feather pins to adorn their plain cranial accessories making them stand out at formal functions, weddings, the races and garden parties.

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