No modern wardrobe is complete without a fashionable hat. However, hats weren’t always a fashion staple. Keep reading to learn more about the history of hats, including some fun facts about hats and how they are made in modern times.
There Are Many Different Types of Hats
When you think of a hat, which style do you think of? Some people may think of the classic baseball cap, while others may think of a vintage top hat. Between historical fashion and today’s modern styles, there are more types of hats than you may think. In fact, there are hundreds of different hat styles that have existed throughout history. Add in the ability to customize hats with colors and logos, and there are thousands of different styles and combinations that we can create.
History of Hats
Hats have had many purposes throughout history. In ancient history, people mostly used hats for practical purposes like keeping the rain, sunlight, and other elements off their faces and heads. Hats were likely one of the biggest early protectors against the sun.
However, during the Middle Ages, hats became markers of status. You’ve likely seen images and artist renderings of old-timey hats with large decorative elements and accessories. These helped mark status among nobles and upper-class groups.
Nowadays, we’ve mostly moved away from using hats to mark status. Instead, most people utilize them for fashion and practical purposes.
How We Make Hats
Manufacturers and automated factory technology handle most hat creation in modern times. However, many artisans still craft hats by hand with traditional methods. The hat creation process also depends on the type of hat you’re making.
For example, traditional baseball caps can range from having four to seven panels, which affects their construction. Whether we make them by hand or with automated machinery, these panels create the frame of the hat. The difference between the number of panels determines how the hat will look and fit on the head.
Hat styles are constantly evolving in use and trending in new ways in the fashion industry. Hopefully, you learned something new while exploring these fun facts about hats and how they are made.