On January 15, the United States celebrates National Hat Day. A national holiday to highlight the importance of this accessory. Whether you are a fedora person, a cap user, or love to impress others by using cloche, derby, or sunhats, we all wear them for multiple reasons, including fashion, ceremonial or religious reasons.
Hats have been used for centuries, and society has given them different meanings. In the Middle Ages, hats were synonymous with social status, while in the military, they are used to indicate branch of service, rank, and nationality.
How to observe National Hat Day
Observing National Hat Day is as simple as wearing your favorite hat on January 15.
Types of hats
Exist dozens of different types of hats; however, there are a few styles that, thanks to tv shows like The Queen’s Gambit and Emily in Paris, are making a huge comeback. According to America’s top hat seller Tenth Street Hats, lead actresses Lily Collins and Anya Taylor Joy’s hat trends are drastically shifting back to styles we saw in the Roaring Twenties, and 50s, and 60s.
Find below a list of a few of the most popular hats nowadays.
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Fedora
The fedora hat appeared around 1891, and its name comes from Fédora, a play by the French author Victorien Sardou and starred by Sarah Bernhardt. The actress played Princess Fédora Romanov. The character popularized the use of a center-creased, soft brimmed hat. The accessory was so fashionable for women that it became popular and a symbol of the women’s rights movement.
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Beret
This soft hat became a thing in France and Spain in the 19th century. It is believed that they started to be worn by the Minoans, Etruscans, and Romans, also becoming popular among the nobility and artists across Europe. Although nowadays berets are part of French people’s stereotypical image, this hat was once considered France’s national cap, and till this day, it is used while celebrating traditional events.
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Boater
Boater hats were popularized in the late 19th century and early 20th century and were designed especially for men. However, designers transformed the style for women and created a softer version with the approximate shape.
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Visor
The visor cap is a crownless hat designed to cover and protect only the face from the sun. This headgear is a staple in outdoor sports, such as golf, tennis, volleyball, and softball.
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Floppy
Hat Commonly known as a floppy hat, harvest hat, or field hat, the sun hat appeared to shade the face and shoulders from the sun.
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Lampshade
The lampshade hat was in the 1950s after fashion designer Christian Dior featured the accessory in his collections.
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Beanie
A knit cap, commonly known as a beanie, provides warmth in cold weather. In the 18th century, it was widely used by seamen, anglers, hunters, and people working outdoors.
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Baseball Cap
The modern baseball cap was born in the 1940s, with materials that helped stiff the hat. It has become more structured through the years and can be found in other styles, such as snapback, adjustable, fitted, and “Flexfit” hat.
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Cloche Hat
The cloche hat was invented in 1908 by milliner Caroline Reboux and became popular in 1922. Later, couture houses like Lanvin and Molyneux started manufacturing these hats to match their clothing designs.
