Men have worn hats for hundreds of years, sometimes for status but also for fashion or protection. The hats worn today often come in the form of a hood or baseball cap, but below is an overview of the evolution of men’s hats from past to present.
Hoods were popular during the 14th century, but were probably worn earlier. During the Middle Ages they had points which were droopier and longer and this would eventually become the liripipe, which was a type of hood/hat which was worn on top of a gorget.
Hoods were sometimes arranged in a manner that made it appear like a turban, and was designed with materials such as fur, velvet, leather and felt which might be dyed with various colors. The hoods worn today usually come in the form of head coverings that are soft which are connected to a bigger garment such as a jacket or shirt.
This was without a doubt the most popular hat during the 19th century. It was worn during an era where men preferred exquisitely cut suits with simple lines. The flamboyance of the previous century fell by the wayside in favor of egalitarian sobriety.
Top hats came in multiple widths and heights and were usually designed with stiffened fabric which had a top that was covered in silk plush and subsequently brushed until the hat became shiny and smooth. Because mercury was used during the manufacturing process, hat makers were sometimes poisoned by it, which is where the phrase “mad hatter” comes from.
The bowler hat originally came from the United Kingdom but became wildly popular around the world. In fact, the bowler is so successful that it continues to be worn by some today and is considered a British icon. Initially it was designed to protect the wearer but was largely massed produced for fashion purposes.
The bowler hat is practical, basic and tough. It is manufactured with stiffened shellac felt to produce a sturdy appearance when worn, and was the headgear of choice for gentlemen. Unlike other hats, which were reserved for specific social classes, the bowler was versatile and worn by men of every social strata and occupation, including bookkeepers, factory workers and managers.
This is the most popular hat worn in modern times. Although originally worn by baseball players and the fans that support them, its use has extended far beyond this group, being worn even by those who have little interest in the sport.
During the 1980s and 1990s baseball hats were often worn backward to signify that the wearer was cool, hip or unconventional but in the 21st century many people wear them in the manner originally intended. They will often display a logo on the front and are often elastic so they can fit multiple head shapes, and some models use zippers, tri-glide based slide and Velcro so they are simple to adjust.
