Embark on a sartorial journey to the 1920s with this men’s wool flat cap from the Italian brand Conte of Florence. Though this brand emerged in the 1950s, the cream-colored cap pays homage to the timeless fashion of the Roaring Twenties, where style and sophistication were synonymous with the pursuit of the American Dream.
As the epitome of Jazz Age fashion, the flat cap adorned the heads of men who aspired to capture the essence of an era marked by societal shifts and cultural dynamism. Conte of Florence encapsulates this spirit by producing a mid-century creation that pays homage to the style of the 1920s.
Crafted from luxurious cream-colored wool, this flat cap becomes a symbol of understated elegance—a fashion statement that transcends decades. The embroidered Conte of Florence logo, a capital “C” adorned with a fleur-de-lis, adds a touch of refinement to an accessory that once graced the heads of men navigating the dazzling world depicted in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
(More on The Community Library’s Winter Read of The Great Gatsby here.)
In the Gatsby era, fashion wasn’t merely about clothing; it was a language, a means of expressing one’s aspirations and identity. With its distinct silhouette, the flat cap mirrored the transition from traditional to modern, echoing the sentiments of a generation that sought to redefine itself.
This Conte of Florence flat cap invites one to envision an age where gentlemen’s fashion conveyed a sense of sophistication and confidence. In the opulent parties of Gatsby’s mansion, this flat cap would have seamlessly complemented the tailored suits, capturing the essence of an era where style was a passport to the American Dream.
You can see this artifact, and many others, in Community Library’s current foyer exhibit of the Roaring 20s, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The Great Gatsby. More on the Library’s foyer exhibits here.
Wood River Museum of History and Culture, 2017.05.56b.
