English-style hats

English-style hats

As designer Philip Treacy says, “A hat can change your life,” even though it's just a garment to cover your head from the sun or the cold. Today I want to talk to you about English-style hats , but first, I think we should give a little introduction to the topic. Do you know the history of hats ? Do you know how they are made or how many types of hats there are?

History of hats

The first hats appeared in Ancient Egypt , where pharaohs and those higher in the hierarchy used a kind of headdress. But the origin of hats actually lies in ancient Greece . The Greeks used the so-called Phrygian cap , a hat worn by slaves who had been freed. I imagine wearing it must have been a source of great pride for them. The meaning of the hat changed many years later when it was discovered that it could be used to protect the head from the cold and rain. The first hats were made of felt and wool. They were usually white. In the France of Charles VI, farmers began using them in the countryside. Other kings, such as Charles VIII and Louis XI, began to spread their use in the cities. Clearly, these hats were nothing like those worn in the countryside. Made of velvet, gold thread, or feathers, these hats were made for high society. It wasn't until the 20th century that this accessory began to be used by all kinds of people.

Parts of a hat

These are the most common elements in hats:

• Crown or Top: The upper part of the hat that conforms to the shape of the head. It can be of various shapes.
• Brim : This is the part that runs around the circumference of the hat and its purpose is to protect the wearer from the sun. Some hats only have it on the side to protect the ears.
• Soft band: Inner part. Usually made of soft materials as it comes into contact with the wearer. Its purpose is to adjust the hat to the head perfectly.
• Hat band, hatband or belt: A strip placed around the crown. It gives the hat its shape.
• Visor: Front part of some hats to protect against the sun.
• Chin strap: Secures the hat to the chin. Typically used on work or military hats.

Steps for making hats

I'd like to tell you more than just about the curiosities of English-style hats , Sherlock Holmes's cap, royal hats, or the bowler hat. It's also important that you understand the hat-making process. I should tell you that, depending on the materials, the chosen shape, the available machinery, and each manufacturer's specific preferences, the manufacturing process will vary. Even so, these are the standard steps:

1. Gluing: The first step is gluing. This helps to shape the hat and the materials that will be used later for molding.
2. Once the material is prepared, the hat is shaped through a pressing process . This involves the use of various presses and molds with heat and pressure.
3. Once the shape is made, the excess material is cut off .
4. The edge of the hat is folded over , the leather and the outer ribbon are sewn on.
5. When the hat appears to be finished, it is ironed . An aluminum press with a pressurized water bag is also used.

Types of hats

• Top hat: A style worn by upper-class men in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Bell-shaped: Used in the 1920s. This is a women's hat shaped like a bell and worn pulled down.
• Beret : We've already discussed the beret extensively in another article. It's one of the most popular hats worn by both men and women.
• Bowler hat: The typical English-style hat. The hat worn by Laurel and Hardy, among others. We'll provide more information about it later.
• Deerstalker: Sherlock Holmes's cap. It's a cap of English origin widely used among hunters.
• Non La: The typical Asian hat made of straw and stiff. It is cone-shaped and used for many things, mainly for sun protection in agriculture or other outdoor work.
• Bicorn: An old-fashioned military hat. Do you remember Napoleon?
• Tricorn hat: While a bicorn hat has two points, this one has three. It's the standard hat for pirates. It's also worn by the Civil Guard in Spain.
• Panama hat : It originates from South America. It is a men's hat made of straw. This hat is also known as a jipajapa.
• Fedora or Borsalino : Widely used by mobsters in Hollywood movies. A hat made of felt for men.
• Trilby: Like the previous one, this is a men's felt hat, but with a shorter brim. Very similar to the Tyrolean hat.
• Boonie: White cotton hat with a medium-sized brim.
• Boss of the plains: Used in the American West.
• Boater: A stiff straw hat with a flat crown and brim. The boater is commonly worn by gondoliers in Venice. Although more common among men, it can also be worn by women.
• Cordoban: A hat used to protect from the sun. That's why it has a wide, flat brim. This hat is worn by both men and women.
• Pamela: A typical hat worn by women with a wide brim, usually worn at weddings or high society events.
• Pile hat: A rigid, medium-brimmed hat commonly worn by military personnel in some Asian countries. It is a helmet-like hat made of cane and other natural materials.
• Pork pie: Used mainly by the male gender, the Pork Pie is a felt hat with a short brim that curves upwards.
• Australian: The hat worn by Crocodile Dundee, made of felt with a wide, large brim.
• Gat: A stiff hat with a wide brim and a tall, cube-shaped crown. It is more commonly worn by men in Korea.
• Hardee Hat: It was used in the American army during the Civil War.
• Montera: Flat hat with two side bows used by bullfighters.
• Bucket hat: A typical cotton hat worn among cotton workers. It is bucket-shaped, soft, and has a short, drooping brim.
• Capotain: A stiff hat with a tall, conical crown and a buckle at the bottom. This hat is strongly associated with some religious congregations in the US. You might recognize it from witch movies.
• Chambergo: A soft, cone-shaped, round top hat with a wide, slightly turned brim.
• Chupalla: This is typical of Chile and is used by farmers and ranchers. It is made of straw and has a very wide brim.
• Prokpie: A hat very similar to a boater, but smaller.
• Boy Scout: High crown with four dents and medium-sized brim.
• Vueltiao: Used in Colombia, it is a hat made with straw.
• Homburg: It's a mix between the English style hat and the Fedora.
• Calañés: This is a hat used in the world of bullfighting by picadors.

The English, the kings of the hat

Without a doubt, the English are the kings of hats. English-style hats are known worldwide. The typical English hat, also known as a bowler hat, is usually worn formally and has a semi-spherical shape, as its name suggests. Today, the use of these English-style hats is plummeting. Competition is fierce and fashions are fickle. Despite this, many British brands like Hackett are trying to keep them from going out of style.

The Bowler Hat, a history of English court hats

The bowler hat was invented by Thomas Coke , the second Earl of Leicester of Holkman, in 1850. At that time, it was called an "iron hat." The Bowler brothers manufactured this type of hat for the eccentric earl. Hence its current name, bowler hat. The bowler hat was used to protect the heads of gamekeepers from falling tree branches while riding horses. When we think of a bowler hat, we picture historical figures like Chaplin or Laurel and Hardy. Today , the bowler hat is practically synonymous with British royalty . Although its use has declined in recent times, thanks to these gentlemen, this type of English-style hat will always be remembered. We also shouldn't forget that this hat has British origins, but it's also used in Bolivia. There, women wear it as a symbol of honor and authority.

Curious Ascot hats

Far removed from the typical English top hat are the unusual hats of Ascot. Ascot Racecourse is one of the oldest and largest on the English thoroughbred racing circuit. Despite the fact that there are several races throughout the year, the unusual hats at Ascot also make headlines around the world. Moreover, the event has become a kind of hat parade. You can see everything there: flowers, insects, bright colors, and so on. Interestingly, Queen Elizabeth II, a regular attendee of the race, always wears the same hat in a different color.

Royal hats

Queen Elizabeth is a well-known hat wearer. The dress code protocol dictates that women must wear hats at formal events. Until the 1950s, most women wore hats in public because it was considered inappropriate to show their hair. Now they are worn in more formal situations and events where protocol dictates. You might not care what hat Queen Elizabeth II wears, but I'll tell you that it has occasionally become a trending topic on social media. Especially the one she wore a few years ago, blue and yellow—interestingly, the colors of the European flag.

Sherlock Holmes's cap

Another well-known English-style hat is the Sherlock Holmes cap, also known as the deerstalker. Just as the famous English detective cannot be understood without his beloved Watson, he cannot be imagined without his characteristic cap, which has a curious story behind it. The official illustrator of Sherlock Holmes was Sidney Paget. This job came to Sidney by chance, as he wasn't supposed to be the editor, but he took advantage of a misunderstanding. He created his first illustration in 1891, when Holmes first appeared wearing his hunting hat in rural England. He later explained: “When he was young, my father lived in the countryside. Like many artists, he did all sorts of things, but I don’t think deer hunting was one of them. I imagine he chose this type of hat because it was the most suitable and comfortable for wandering around those parts.” And so, Sidney Paget created a myth.

Basic rules for wearing a hat

• Wear the right size . Not too big, not too small, just right for you.
• Every outfit needs a hat . Depending on the style of clothing you're wearing, you'll need one hat or another. It's nothing to worry about, as the possibilities are endless.
• If you're short , smaller hats will suit you better. Try to make sure the brim doesn't go wider than your shoulders. Sorry, but this is only for tall people.
• And if, on the contrary, you are tall , wear large hats.
• If you are on the heavier side, use hats with a high crown and a small or medium brim to create a more streamlined look.
• The most appropriate hairstyles to wear with hats are low updos, braids or low and side ponytails and, in some cases, long hair.
• Each hat is suited to a specific time of year . This will vary primarily depending on the material.
• Heads up! If you're going to a wedding , remember that the bride is the star. Don't try to draw too much attention with your hat; check the dress code.
• If a woman wears a hat for any event, she doesn't have to take it off . At weddings, it's acceptable to remove them when the dancing begins.
• Men are advised against wearing a hat to indoor events. Furthermore, if you are wearing one, you should remove it in certain situations.

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