Heidelberg Historical Society

Eye Spy: Hat Pins

Posted on Friday, 10th November 2023 by Janine Rizzetti

“The pin is mightier than the sword!” This may be true if you’re talking about a hat pin, popular between the 1880s and 1920s as an accessory used to attach a woman’s hat to her hair.

Magazine articles suggested that, at between 6 and 10 inches in length, the humble hat pin could be used by a woman in self-defence if she was attacked. Laws were passed to limit the length of hat pins: indeed, in Sydney in 1912, sixty women were arrested and sent to jail for refusing to pay their fines for overlong hat pins.

Before Mace, a Hatpin Was an Unescorted Lady’s Best Defence is a fascinating article about hat pins, well worth a read!

Recent blog entries

Heidelberg of the Heidelberg Artists: Mr Heale the pharmacist and druggist posted on Saturday, 13th September 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
Why 1880-1900? posted on Saturday, 23rd August 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
August Meeting: Ivalda Masonic Temple posted on Sunday, 10th August 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
The new exhibition is open! posted on Sunday, 20th July 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
Some light on the subject posted on Tuesday, 1st July 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
June meeting: Victorian Legal Landmarks posted on Saturday, 7th June 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
St James Ivanhoe Hall and School posted on Saturday, 7th June 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
Look at all those kids! posted on Saturday, 31st May 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
Winner in our category in the Victorian Community History Awards. posted on Thursday, 10th April 2025 by Nick Gammon
Shortlisted! posted on Tuesday, 18th March 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
Wet day timetable posted on Tuesday, 18th March 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
A much traveled school! posted on Friday, 7th March 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
February 2025 Talk: 11 February 7.30 p.m. posted on Wednesday, 5th February 2025 by Janine Rizzetti
Back To School Exhibition re-opens Sunday 2 February 2025 posted on Monday, 20th January 2025 by Janine Rizzetti

Heidelberg Historical Society home page