Cocktail Hats: The Perfect Little Toppers

A feather, a veil, a few sequins or beads--it doesn't take much to make a vintage cocktail hat. These little confections--generally brimless hats with extravagant embellishments, intended for evening wear--are the perfect complements to a vintage dress or suit. It's no wonder they're sometimes called whimsies.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Blonde mink hat from JoJo'sRetroandVintage

First up is a circle hat, or circlet--this one is made of mink, but they're often some kind of fabric or velvet; always with a veil for a peek-a-boo top.

Birdcage veil hat from unionmadebride

This birdcage veil hat (sometimes called a whimsy) is nothing more than a veil, with a bow on top. Some of them have feathers or chenille dots; some of them nothing more than the allure of the veil.

Feather cocktail hat from TheVintageHatShop

This is feather cocktail hat has a wonderful asymmetrical design, with feathers sweeping across the front and down one side.

Beaded skull cap from Alexsandras

This last beauty is a wool skull cap with bugle beads in a luscious pink. I love the free form shape of the front of the hat.

Fresh Picks: Animal Attraction

To incorporate trendy animal prints into your wardrobe, think vintage! These wild clothing and accessory finds go beyond the commonplace, for a look that’s uniquely yours.

70s vtg animal print loungin... JojosRetroandV... $44.00	Snake Skin Animal Ethnic Vin... TRUECOLORSFORY... $12.00	Vintage Victoria's Secre... FancyPantsAndM... $8.00
vintage sequined leopard bla... charlesvintage $40.00	Vintage 1960s Leopard Print ... alexsandras $68.00	Vintage 80s Silver Taffeta L... hillbillyfilly $22.00

Treasury tool by whalesharkwebsites

Welcome New Members: Jinxxy, Zip Zap Kap, Just Because She Can, and AlexSandras

Vintage Bobblehead Elephant

Wonderful vintage fruit jars, kitchen and décor items, toys, prints from children’s books, and creative supplies such as doll heads mix beautifully at jinxxy, a new EVT member from Salem, Oregon. “I don't really consider most things under 40 years old vintage,” says Kat, the store’s owner. “There are a few exceptions, but most of my stuff will be pre-disco. Or at least, pre-New Wave.”

1960s McCalls Dress Pattern

ZipZapKap offers more than 300 of the most wonderful patterns, from the 1930s through the 1990s--all wonderfully presented and with all the details you need. Based in Evanston, Indiana, the shop is "the work of a British girl who upped sticks for a Kentucky boy and became a weird English/American hybrid who can coexist peaceably with both iced tea and hot tea with milk."

Brass ink wells

Justbecauseshecan offers such an elegant mix of vintage and antiques--everything from a rustic wooden spool cabinet, to vintage jewelry and clothing, to glassware. The owner lives in North Carolina but sometimes travels as far as New York for the right estate sale. 

Vintage 1950s Playsuit or Swimsuit

A self-proclaimed "vintage Dame," the owner of alexsandras wears "classy bits and bobs from the closets of local ladies of a time gone by" and is invited into homes to buy some of the most fantastic vintage clothes, jewelry, and accessories. She's a seamstress specializing in historical and bridal restoration, "breathing new life into old things."

Humor: Feels Good, Draws Attention & Helps Sell!

I've noticed something about my shopping experience lately. I'll be browsing Etsy and realize I'm giggling out loud. I do this when I happen upon a clever photo taken with a bit of humor and whimsy in mind. Sharp wit is always a way to get attention and if you have a clever thumbnail photo, those browsers will turn into shoppers quickly.

Take this great photograph by TippleandSnack. When I spotted it, it was in the middle of the page. It caught my eye immediately because of the color contrast. Then I cracked up when I saw those little chicks peeping out of an egg cup. What a great way to sell egg cups! It not only draws the potential customer in, but it also shows them that egg cups can be display objects in their own right.

Vintage Egg Cups by TippleandSnack

There are lots of vintage clothing sellers on Etsy with fashion must haves. I know many people use their daughters as models, which is practical. The key to a successful live model is their facial expression. I find a lot of models have the "I'd never be caught dead in this" look on their face, which is odd. Have the model ham it up. Show them having fun in it. Sell it! This photo by Unionmadebride illustrates my point perfectly:

1960's Full Length Slip by Unionmadebride

The item itself doesn't have to be funny. Humor can be added by the angle you take the photo from, the way you position your item, or the lighting. This photo by TheFancyLamb shows this point. Most of us take a shot of a doll sitting down-at least I do. This shot taken up close really captures the dolls whimsical expression and draws my eye to it.

Vintage Poland Heidi Doll by TheFancyLamb

Props can really help bring a whimsical element to your otherwise rather practical item. As long as you're clear that the prop isn't for sale, use them to your advantage. People tend to be rather opinionated about them, so I don't recommend them for every item, just those that could benefit from a substantial visual boost. Take this shot from Calloohcallay for example. Without the horse, the cup would be rather lost. It adds just enough whimsy to make a viewer ask "what is horse doing next to a coffee cup?"

Vintage Fire King Cup by calloohcallay

Sometimes, the front isn't always the best angle. The playful motion used in this dress photo by Alexsandras is really eye catching! It doesn't just grab attention though. It also tells me about the fabric and how it hangs. Perfect way to convey elements of the item without using words. In addition, it shows the model having fun and that makes the viewer smile!

Vintage 1960's Tennis Dress by alexsandras

The more we think out of the box with our photos, the more we will stand out from other sellers. When a sea of small thumbnails is staring a shopper in the face, you want your photo to pop. Once they click on the next page, it's too late. So grab their attention. Humor, whimsy and just plain fun are a great way to do it!