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Museum object · Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Fedora worn by Melvin Van Peebles

Mid to late 20th century

United States, North and Central America

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A fedora worn by Melvin Van Peebles. The hat is made from woven synthetic straw that has been blocked to shape. The weave features a repeat scallop pattern made from black and natural synthetic material. The asymmetrical brim is longer in the front (2”) and shorter in the back. There is a 7” long center crease at the top of the crown. A 1” wide black and white checkerboard hatband made from synthetic material (possibly polyester) encircles the base of the crown and there is a self-fabric loop sewn to the proper right side of the band. There are two metal grommets on both the proper right and proper left crown for ventilation. The inside of the hat is unlined, but a white woven (possibly polyester) hatband is machine sewn along the interior crown. Sewn to the interior center back is a white fabric tag.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2024.60.21

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