Hats

Hats are head coverings worn for protection from weather, for ceremonial or religious reasons, and as fashion accessories. The word derives from Old English hatt or hatt, related to other Germanic terms for head coverings.

Evidence of headwear dates back to prehistoric times. In many cultures hats signified status, occupation, or group affiliation. In ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, men and women wore helmets and wide-brimmed hats; in East Asia, conical hats and helmets were common. The medieval and early-modern periods saw a proliferation of styles such as hoods, coifs, and various caps; by the 17th through 19th centuries, hats became shorthand for social standing and fashion.

Today hats are made from felt, straw, fabric, leather, or synthetic materials. Felt hats are created by pressing animal fibers into a stiff fabric; straw hats are woven; other hats use cloth or leather with stiffeners. Manufacturing ranges from traditional blocking and handcrafting to large-scale machinery.

Common styles include brimmed hats (fedora, trilby, Panama, sun hats), caps (baseball cap, newsboy cap), and protective hats (hard hat, helmet). Religious and cultural head coverings include turbans, kippahs, hijabs, and skullcaps; traditional dress pieces include berets and sombreros. Hats also serve practical purposes in sports and work settings, offering protection and safety.

Care and maintenance vary by material. Felt hats are often brushed and stored in a cool, dry place; straw hats should be kept dry and lightly brushed to remove dust; leather and fabric hats may require conditioning or spot cleaning.