Innocent Looking Hatpins

Victorian Hat Pins and holder @ Time’s Tin Cup !

Hatpins were originally designed to be used in pairs to fasten a women’s hat to her hair. But a hatpin might just be the deadliest fashion accessory in history.

Although hatpins are ornamental, they have a sharp point for fastening. Hats grew in fashion during the early 1900s. Hatpins grew along with the hat. Some hatpins were 10 inches long.

Women entering the workforce meant they were traveling and commuting unaccompanied in public. Hatpins actually ended up becoming the weapon of choice for women for self defense. Manuals were actually published to show women how to use them to defend against attacks. This is any actual screenshot of the Mademoiselle Gelas’ self defense manual from 1903. It demonstrates to a woman being victimized as to how to use her hat pins to defend against an attacker.