Wild Elegance | Vintage Gimbels Leopard Faux Fur Print Hat

A fabulous vintage leopard-print hat from Gimbels, designed with the kind of dramatic shape and texture that instantly transforms an outfit. The plush animal-print exterior is worked into a softly sculpted silhouette with subtle folds and volume, giving the hat a glamorous, almost turban-like presence.

The warm caramel, black, and golden tones make this an especially versatile statement piece—equally striking with a black coat, tailored suit, or simple knit. It has all the confidence of mid-century fashion, when hats were not an afterthought but an essential part of a finished look.

Why We Love It

There is something wonderfully cinematic about this hat. The leopard print feels bold, but the soft construction keeps it elegant rather than costume-like. From the side and back, the gathered shaping creates beautiful dimension, while the front sits close enough to frame the face rather than overwhelm it.

It is exactly the kind of vintage accessory that can make even the simplest outfit feel intentional.

Details

Retailer: Gimbels
Era: Circa 1960s
Style: Sculpted leopard-print hat / turban-style silhouette
Color: Golden tan, black, and brown
Interior: Black lining with grosgrain band
Label: Gimbels

Measurements

Interior circumference: approximately 21 inches

Condition - Good

Collector’s Notes

Gimbels was one of America’s great historic department stores, with major locations in Philadelphia and New York and a long association with fashionable ready-to-wear and accessories. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute even holds a Gimbel Brothers hat dated to approximately 1965, underscoring the retailer’s place in American fashion history.

Leopard-print hats became an especially memorable part of early-1960s fashion, appearing in pillbox and turban-like forms that paired animal print with the polished silhouettes of the era. This piece captures that balance beautifully: glamorous, slightly daring, and unmistakably vintage.