Due to the popularity of this accessory, the production of men’s and women’s hats during the 19th century was one of the major industries in Philadelphia. The city had numerous factories specializing in the production of solely women’s or men’s hats. They analyzed fashion trends and created them simultaneously. We will tell you more about the history of hat manufacturing. Learn more at philadelphianka.
Beginning of hat manufacturing in Philadelphia
Hats in early America were fashioned of felted beaver fur, as well as straw, wool and other animal skins. Initially, the production in Philadelphia was started by John Colley and Anthony Sturgis in the late 17th century. It is worth noting that the items were quite expensive due to the shortage of labor in America.
In the 18th century, there were already dozens of hat-making workshops in Philadelphia. Most of these were small private production facilities that anyone looking to establish a business could set up at home. Beaver fur remained popular, and it was the most common material used to produce hats for women and men.
At the beginning of the 19th century, there were already over 100 hat workshops in the city. The majority of the hatters were artisans who produced their hats by hand in their own shops. However, at this point, industrialization began, and the first hat factories emerged. As a result, John Fareira was among the first to start production in 1823. He started his own company with four employees but soon expanded to a four-story building with workshops and a shop.
It is worth noting that some of the hat workshops were owned by women. Most of them were milliners who produced made-to-order hats. This accessory was considered more important for men than for women.
Industrialization of hat production and fashion trends
Large-scale hat production in Philadelphia began in the middle of the nineteenth century. In 1857, William Beard’s factories employed 180 people, while P. Herst & Co. employed 150. This enterprise was the first to manufacture silk hats, which became popular among men and began to replace fur products in the market.
During this period, hat factories began to specialize. Some focused on manufacturing hat bodies, while others worked on finishing them. Workers could shape the hats at home and then bring them back to the factory for processing. The majority of leather used in hat manufacture was imported. Also, a large quantity of straw hats were produced for the warm season. In addition, felted hats became popular.
Beginning to prosper in the 1870s, the John B. Stetson Company has grown into the world’s largest hat manufacturer and one of Philadelphia’s true industrial giants. John Stetson learned to make hats when he was quite young. Then he traveled extensively in western America, bringing to light the poor quality of men’s hats that were unsuitable for the region’s weather conditions. Thus, he began manufacturing high-quality felt hats for the Western consumer and built a prosperous business:
- its range included felt and straw hats, military hats and the famous cowboy hats that John designed
- the entire hat-making process was done at the factory, from processing animal skins to producing ribbons and branded boxes
- in addition to manufacturing, the owner founded a hospital, a school and a building and loan association, as well as supported his employees.
Even though Stetson dominated the market, Philadelphia was home to a large number of other hatters. Thus, 66 independent producers manufactured hats for boys and men in 1883. Many small enterprises stayed focused on making solely straw or felt hats or finishing ready-made products. A famous women’s hat shop was opened in Philadelphia by African-American milliner Mae Reeves.
The decline of hat fashion
Following World War II, the hat industry started to decline. A crucial component in this process was the drop in popularity of hats among males, who were the main consumers of these products. When President John F. Kennedy chose not to wear a hat during his inaugural speech in January 1961, men across the country abandoned headwear.
By the end of the twentieth century, nearly all major hat makers had left Philadelphia or ceased production. Even the giant Stetson factory, which had been in operation in the city for over a century, was eventually closed. The entrepreneur relocated his business and eventually landed in Texas, where he continued to operate while keeping up with the latest trends.
The fashion for exquisite women’s hats has likewise passed. Hats have become an integral part of cold-weather fashion, although their significance has diminished over centuries. Thus, Philadelphia ceased to be one of the primary production centers for men’s and women’s hats, but the city continued to grow in other directions and maintained its commercial popularity.