Like other collectible items, hatpins have a detailed history of both functionality and craftsmanship.
Hatpins have been around since as far back as the 1400’s. Their heyday was between the 1880’s and 1920’s. (Hair styles became short after that, making the pins unnecessary.)
They generally ranged in size between 6 and 12 inches long (depending on the size of the hat they needed to secure to a woman’s head–sometimes the hats were quite big).
Hatpins were either practical or quite ornate, made from material such as precious metals, gemstones and plastics.
Did you know: In 1908, an English judge, fearing that their hatpins could be used as weapons in his court, ordered a group of suffragettes on trial to remove their hatpins and hats.
Did you know: there’s a hatpin society in existence today? Check them out!