What Is a Percher Hat? The Little Hat with a Long History
A percher is a small hat intended to sit or perch on the head, rather than surround it. It may be positioned towards the front, towards the back or at an angle, creating a silhouette that works with the hairstyle rather than hiding it. Importantly, percher describes the way the hat is worn more than a particular shape. A pillbox, a small disc or another miniature hat can all be designed to perch.
The idea of wearing a hat perched on the head is nothing new, The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a British hat dating from around 1760–70, made from paper, straw, silk and linen. The museum describes it as an unusually flat hat that would have “perched precariously atop the head.” The Victoria and Albert millinery collection, meanwhile, includes the 1962 “Spiral” hat by Cristobel Balenciaga. The Spiral, a sculptural, swirling piece of millinery, was designed to be worn like a pillbox, perched on top of the head and secured with haircombs (something the museum notes his customers did not always do).
Percher? Pillbox? What is the connection?
Well, the pillbox is one of the styles most closely associated with the perched look. A pillbox is a small, structured, usually brimless hat, and because of its compact shape, it lends itself naturally to being worn forward, towards the back or at an angle. That said, pillbox and percher should not be regarded as interchangeable terms. Pillbox describes the form of the hat; percher describes how that hat is positioned.
Contemporary British millinery continues to embrace both form and position. From the Rachel Skinner Millinery Elegante collection, The Isadora is a classic example of a pillbox style designed to sit discreetly at the back of the head, secured with combs and elastic. The Pia meanwhile, is a perfect example of a percher, both are shown below.
British millinery terms don't always describe completely separate categories. A pillbox can be a percher, because pillbox describes its shape while percher describes its position. A small disc or saucer hat can also be designed as a percher, as can some miniature cocktail hats. In contemporary fashion, a lightweight perched design may even overlap with what would commonly be called a ‘decorative headpiece’ or ‘fascinator’.
The terminology therefore gives us different pieces of information: what the hat looks like, where it sits and how it is constructed. And perhaps that is the enduring appeal of the percher. It is a small hat with a very precise job — not to cover the head, but to sit upon it, complement the hairstyle and become part of the overall silhouette.
A playful twist on a classic, this silk polka dot pillbox hat is finished with a contrasting pink bow for a pop of colour.
Chic, timeless, and full of personality, it’s the perfect accessory to brighten up any special occasion.
Fabrication: Hand made. Silk chiffon on a wool felt foundation. Can be made in other fabrics.
Colour: Black ivory and pink.
Fit: One size. Fits to the back of the head with a comb.
Ideal to wear for: Royal Ascot, Henley Regatta, Glyndebourne picnics, summer weddings, mother of the bride/groom, Buckingham Palace garden parties, Goodwood, Salon Privé.
A striking black sinamay angled disc hat, elegantly finished with a scattering of delicate white ruscus leaves.
Modern yet timeless, this sophisticated design is the perfect choice for any hat-wearing occasion, from race days to weddings and special events.
Fabrication: Hand finished. Sinamay, dried ruscus leaves
Colour: Black and white. Can be made in other colours.
Fit: One size. Fits to head on an Alice band.
Ideal to wear for: Royal Ascot, Salon Privé, Goodwood, Buckingham Palace, mother of the bride or groom and guests at summer weddings, Glyndebourne picnics, the Henley Regatta and other social occasions.
