Our Bessie seagrass straw cloche is a gorgeous sun hat, flattering to most faces and our biggest seller last summer.

Bessie represents the best of New Zealand in the 1930s. Elizabeth (Bessie) McCombs was the first woman to enter parliament as an elected M.P. for Lyttelton in 1933. A staunch socialist, she represented women's concerns and equal pay in the NZ labour party of the day.

Our hat signifies women's courage and determination, as relevant today as in the 1930s. The hat is in the cloche style of the Art Deco period and made of fine weave seagrass, a natural straw that is cool to wear. The straw is lightly stiffened and the brim is wired to hold its shape and then edged with narrow Petersham ribbon. A wide ribbon finishes the hat and is tied at the side. There is also an internal band for comfort.

Ribbon colours available on request: Red, Navy Blue, Grass Green, Black, Purple, Cream, Honey, Light Grey and Orange.

Sizes available for Bessie Seagrass Cloche: Small 55-56cm, Medium 57-58cm, Large 59-60cm.

Please email with your head size and colour requirements and we will make your hat within one week.

Item added 1 June 2017

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