Prospect Park’s Top Hats

On June 24, 2017, thousands of friends and neighbors gathered on the Park's scenic Peninsula for Prospect Park Soiree. Guests partied in their most festive attire, including show-stopping toppers—fabulous hat and headpieces that celebrated Prospect Park. We dug into the Prospect Park Alliance Archives to find some hat inspiration!

At the Centennial celebration in 1966, this reveler makes the case for a simple straw boater.

Athleisure at its finest! These Prospect Park lawn-tennis players of yore matched their sporty caps to their workout gear: long skirts and neckerchiefs.

A wide-brimmed hat decorated with flowers was a real sartorial statement in 1909, and still is today! Feel free to be inspired by these looks blossom-for-blossom. 

On or off your swan boat (which circulated in the Lake in the early days of Prospect Park), a bowler hat is a dashing look. 

Currently in-vogue, flower crowns have been a perennially popular choice at Park festivities. Here, a woman wears a lovely floral wreath during Prospect Park’s Centennial Celebration.

Take a cue from these lovely ladies—a big bow worn in the hair can be the cherry on top of any fabulous outfit. 

A plaid bonnet is a bold choice for Prospect Park Soiree, but as these girls visiting the Park in the 1930’s prove, when you’re rolling with a squad and your dance moves are on point, you can pull off just about any look. 

Looking to take your outfit up a notch? Try a sky-high chapeau like these Park-goers from the 1870’s. Bonnets and top hats are equally acceptable, funereal garb not required.