Hat Restoration
I purchased this "new" hat off eBay, and it arrived quite damaged. The flower and broach looks discolored and tarnished; can I clean it? How can I restore the brim of the hat? Also, I've never seen a hat's brim turned under this way, is this common? Any suggestions? The hat is made of straw.
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Permalink Reply by Sharon Panozzo -
Hello Christina.
As to the cleaning of the hat, The brim looks to be discolored from being exposed to the sun for a prolonged time (as if in the window) so I am not sure cleaning would help but you can try a detergent made for vintage items. You would use it on a soft cloth and do it by hand but you would have to be able to either re-block or shape it by hand until it "set" in shape again. The brooch could be cleaned with a jewelry cleaner but if it is plated and the plating is flaked then it will not help. The large flower of the hat would have to be removed but if subjected to lots of water might have the sequins come off and/or have the trim bleed. You might try taking it to a dry cleaner who does hats and see what they say.
As for the under-turned brim, it is quite common on vintage hats and is used to a lesser amount today. I, myself, have used the technique many times.
Hope some of this helps.
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Permalink Reply by Christina Spain Hill
