Newborough Hats (1955)

Two versions exist on digibeta. 205.10 is version transferred after the neg was cleaned.
Mayfair, London.
M/S of two women sitting at dressing tables trying on hats at a milliner's shop. The milliner hands one of the women a hat to try on. Narrator is saying how men can never understand what is going on in a woman's mind (true on the whole) but if facial expressions are anything to go on, a visit to this Mayfair salon may help the amateur psychologist.
Milliner (or shop assistant) selects a hat. One of the women tries it on - over the shoulder shot of the two women adjusting their hats and generally preening. Pathe has a secret camera behind a trick mirror apparently - to show us expressions of the girls as they try on hats. (I think it is more likely just a pink hazy mask used around the edge of the camera lens.) C/U of one of the woman - Susan Turner - pulling down the net trimming of her hat. She makes exaggerated poses - ecstatic, big smile, "I'm so gorgeous" etc.
The hats have been created by Denisa, Lady Newborough (who is the second of the models). We see the Lady Newborough posing in her eccentric hats. She is rather eccentric herself, playing up to the camera pulling all kinds of funny faces - entertaining. Over the shoulder shots of the two trying on various hats - very nice shots of them posing. Lots of great titfers.
Narrator observes how it is a woman's privilege to change her mind as the two try on lots and lots of hats. The Lady Newborough puts on a bizarre creation and gets a little cross when is told she has it on back to front. The veil of a hat makes her nose itch.
Note: according to paperwork the sales assistant is Sussanne (sic) Dechandier. This is a really fun story and would be good for illustrating the concept of the vanity of women. Cameraman's notes include the observation "the older woman tries hard to wear the hats but we see that they're really for the Modern Miss."
FILM ID:29.06
A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE CHANNEL, BRITISH PATHÉ TV. IT'S FULL OF GREAT DOCUMENTARIES, FASCINATING INTERVIEWS, AND CLASSIC MOVIES. www.britishpathe.tv/
FOR LICENSING ENQUIRIES VISIT www.britishpathe.com/
British Pathé also represents the Reuters historical collection, which includes more than 136,000 items from the news agencies Gaumont Graphic (1910-1932), Empire News Bulletin (1926-1930), British Paramount (1931-1957), and Gaumont British (1934-1959), as well as Visnews content from 1957 to the end of 1984. All footage can be viewed on the British Pathé website. www.britishpathe.com/

[@lisakayser8950]

I would definitely wear these hats! I have been wearing hats for 30 years!!!

[@moanamaree]

I would wear these TODAY.. such elegance 🥰

[@MultiKm1]

I actually LOVE "Illusion" and would consider no other hat.

[@elcioel.]

🥰

[@tamarab.7151]

Gorgeous, Why women and men stop wearing hats and gloves

[@user-qi3vh1ip5s]

This is how people in the past got their hats.

[@noonereally4798]

I like how men like to pretend that were just focused on our looks for entertainment, and not because we know that’s the only thing they care about.

[@hummingbir6]

Back when women were women.

[@danbowman9294]

A different world, when women actually tried to make themselves attractive. Today: urine-stained sweatpants and purple hair...

[@NachaBeez]

And I’m sure you wear a full suit and hat every day 🙄