millinery

Millinery is the craft of designing, making, and selling hats and other head coverings. A milliner may create hats, trim them, or curate headwear for retailers and fashion houses. The term applies to both individual artisans and the broader hat trade, including both bespoke and mass-produced pieces.

Historically, millinery developed in Europe as a specialized form of dressmaking. Hats were important markers of status and fashion, with styles shifting through the centuries as materials and techniques evolved. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, hat wearing was nearly universal in many social contexts; later trends emphasized simplicity, though hats remained central to certain occasions such as weddings, religious ceremonies, and sporting events.

Materials commonly used in millinery include straw, felt, wool, and fabrics, with sinamay and toyo as popular millinery fibers. Techniques involve blocking or shaping on hat blocks to form brims and domes, sewing foundations, and applying trims such as ribbons, feathers, veiling, flowers, and beads. Modern methods combine handcraft with light machinery and sometimes synthetic supports or wires for structure.

Contemporary millinery ranges from small, independent studios producing bespoke hats to fashion houses offering seasonal collections. Retail sales occur through boutiques, department stores, and online platforms. Hats occupy a niche role in fashion and culture, continuing to be favored for weddings, formal occasions, and events with traditional dress codes around the world.