It may surprise you to know that people were wearing hats more than 5,000 years ago. That’s not a random guess—we know this because of a man known as Ötzi the Iceman.
As noted on Wikipedia, his body was discovered frozen in the mountains between Austria and Italy, and he was wearing a simple stitched bearskin hat with a chin strap.
Scientists believe he lived around 3250 BC. This shows that hats have been a part of human life for thousands of years.
But how did we go from simple animal-skin headwear to styles like top hats and baseball caps? Let’s find out.
What Is a Hat?
A hat is a type of clothing worn on the head, often used to keep warm, to block the sun, or sometimes just to look good. Others wear it for their job, culture, or just because they like how it looks.
Hats are usually made from straw, felt, leather, or even metal in some cases. To understand hats better, it helps to know the basic parts of a hat.
Where Did Hats Come From?
As we saw with Ötzi, hats have been around since the Stone Age. His bearskin cap is the oldest example we’ve found, but headwear shows up in many ancient cultures.
For example, early Egyptians and Mesopotamians also wore hats. According to historians, one of the oldest known drawings of a hat was discovered in an Egyptian tomb, dating back to approximately 3200 BC. It shows a man wearing a tall, cone-shaped straw hat. In ancient Egypt, rich people would often shave their heads and wear special hats to stay cool.
In Greece and Rome, hats weren’t just for comfort—they also showed your role or status. One hat, called the Phrygian cap, was worn by freed slaves and later became a symbol of freedom. You might’ve seen it in images from the American or French Revolution.
Hats of Kings, Knights, and Artists in the Medieval and Renaissance Era
Between the 5th and 17th centuries, hats became a big deal in Europe. What you wore on your head could say a lot about who you were.
Hats Worn by Kings, Nobles, Knights, Artists, and Scholars
Wealthy individuals wore elaborate hats to showcase their social status. One popular style was the bycocket—think Robin Hood-style, often decorated with feathers or jewels.
According to Britannica, one popular medieval hat was the chaperon, which originated as a simple hood but gradually evolved into a more structured hat with long, fabric tails.
This style became common in France and Italy during the 1300s and 1400s. The red chaperon, in particular, was often worn by rich merchants or officials. You can still see examples of it in museums today, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Portrait of a man wearing a red chaperon (15th century). Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Public Domain.
Knights wore metal helmets in battle, but outside of war, they used simple cloth hats like the coif. This tight-fitting cap became common in the 1100s. It was sometimes worn under armor and sometimes on its own.
Artists and scholars preferred soft hats that were easy to wear. In the Renaissance period, many wore berets or flat caps made from felt or wool.
These hats were practical and suited their work. You can see them in old paintings of people like Leonardo da Vinci.
Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci by Francesco Melzi. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Fun Fact: Back then, you could often guess someone’s job or social rank just by looking at their hat.
17th and 18th Century: Hats Become Fashion Statements
By the 1600s and 1700s, hats weren’t just for keeping the sun out of your eyes. They had become part of daily fashion, especially in Europe. People used them to show off their style, social class, and even political views.
Men’s Hats
In the 1600s, men preferred wide-brimmed hats with tall crowns. Some added lace, feathers, or ribbons, depending on how bold or stylish they wanted to look.
One popular hat from this time was the cavalier hat, often worn by royalists during the English Civil War. It had a big brim and usually a feather on the side.
By the 1700s, a new style took over—the cocked hat, also known today as the tricorn. It had three folded sides and sat neatly on the head. At the time, it was usually called a cocked hat or a three-cornered hat.
Now here’s where people often get confused: Was it called a tricorn or a cocked hat?
The truth is, during the 1700s, most people called it a cocked hat or three-cornered hat. The word “tricorn” only became common later in the 1800s, when the hat was already going out of style. So both names are technically correct—it just depends on what time period you’re talking about.
Portrait of George Washington wearing a tricorn hat (c.1780). Courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.
Either way, this hat became a symbol of the 1700s. You’ll see it in portraits of George Washington or worn by soldiers in the American Revolution. It was neat, sharp, and perfect for military and formal wear.
Women’s Hats
In the 1700s, women’s fashion wasn’t complete without a stylish hat. One popular choice was the shepherdess hat, also called the bergère.
It had a wide brim, a shallow crown, and was tied under the chin with ribbons. It became especially trendy in the 1750s and 1760s, not just for its charm, but also because it was practical for sunny gardens and outdoor walks.
Another standout was the calash, a folding bonnet shaped like the top of a carriage. Women wore it to protect their tall, elaborate hairstyles that were in fashion at the time, especially from wind or rain. It might seem unusual now, but back then, it was totally normal.
An 18th-century woman wearing a classic bergère hat, popular in the 1750s–1760s. Image source: [marquise.de]
19th Century: The Golden Age of Hats
The 1800s were a big time for hats. Whether you were rich or poor, man or woman, if you stepped outside, chances were you had something on your head.
Hats Worn by Men in the 1800s
In the 19th century, men’s hats were not just fashion—they were part of everyday life. Here are some of the most common styles:
1. Top Hat
The top hat, with its high crown and structured shape, was often worn by wealthy men at formal events and quickly became linked with status and respect.
2. Bowler Hat (also known as the Derby Hat)
First introduced in 1849, the bowler was made to be tougher than the top hat, making it more practical for daily use. With its rounded crown and neat shape, it became popular among city workers, businessmen, and even horseback riders.
Fun Fact: It’s said that the bowler hat was invented for Edward Coke, the younger brother of Thomas Coke, according to historical records.
3. Baseball Cap
The baseball cap was first introduced in the 1860s when the Brooklyn Excelsiors wore it during games to shield their eyes from the sun. Over time, it became one of the most common everyday hats around the world. You can learn more about the origins of the baseball cap in our detailed article.
4. Flat Cap
This soft, rounded cap with a short brim was common among working-class men. It was simple, affordable, and easy to wear with everyday clothes.
5. Fedora Hat
The fedora first appeared in the late 1800s, especially after actress Sarah Bernhardt wore it on stage in the play Fédora. Although it was first embraced by women, it eventually became a staple in men’s fashion as well.
It soon became a regular part of daily fashion. Read about its features and history in our Fedora hat guide article.
Hats Worn By Women in the 1800s
Women’s hats in the 19th century changed with fashion trends, seasons, and social events. Let’s take a look at some of the hat styles women wore during this time.
1. Straw Bonnet
During the early 1800s, straw bonnets with wide brims became a regular part of women’s everyday dress. These hats gave some shade from the sun and were usually decorated with things like ribbons or flowers to match their outfits.
2. Bonnet Board
This was a firmer version of the regular bonnet. It held its shape better and was popular in the 1830s and 1840s.
4. Wide-Brimmed Hats
By the mid-1800s, women started wearing hats with larger brims, especially for daytime outings. These hats gave better protection from the sun and often matched the style of their dresses.
5. Pork Pie Hat
Flat on top with a short brim, this style first became trendy with women in the 1860s. It had a neat look, and men adopted it later as well.
6. Trilby
The trilby showed up in the 1890s. It had a narrow brim and a slight dip in the crown. It was seen as modern and a bit more fashion-forward for its time.
20th Century: Hats Evolve with the Times
By the early 1900s, hats were still a big part of daily life, but the styles kept changing with the decades.
Women’s Hats
At the start of the century, women often wore large, dramatic hats with wide brims, usually decorated with feathers, flowers, or ribbons. And even fake birds sometimes.
In the 1920s, the cloche hat took over. It fit close to the head and worked well with short hairstyles that were trendy at the time.
Wearing a hat in public wasn’t just fashion—it was considered good manners. Most women wouldn’t leave the house without one.
Men’s Hats
Men stuck with fedoras, flat caps, and Panama hats. These were smart, stylish, and part of a man’s proper outfit.
But as the century moved forward, especially after World War II, things began to shift. People got more casual. Daily hat-wearing started to fade but never fully disappeared.
Modern Hats: From Sportswear to Street Style
Today, hats are more about personal style than rules or traditions. Some wear them for sun protection, some for fashion, and some just for fun.
The baseball cap is arguably the most popular hat in the world today. Athletes, celebrities, and everyday people wear it. Other popular styles include beanies, bucket hats, and snapbacks. Each one has its own vibe.
Modern hats aren’t about fitting in. They’re about expressing who you are.
What Do Hats Symbolize?
Hats have always been more than just fashion. They show authority, social status, profession, belief, or culture.
In the past, hats were a sign of power and wealth. If you wore a crown, it meant you were a king or queen. A judge’s wig or cap showed legal authority. A tall top hat in the 1800s often meant you had serious money.
In many cultures, hats carry religious meaning. For example, turbans and yarmulkes (kippahs) are symbols of faith. At funerals, black hats are worn to show respect for the person who has passed away.
On the flip side, at weddings and festivals, hats can be bright, fun, and full of personality. In kitchens, chefs wear tall white hats called toques. The taller the hat, the more experienced the chef. As noted by Everyday Uniforms, the height of a chef’s hat indicates their experience. More pleats mean more experience.
Even today, hats can tell you a lot about someone. A cowboy hat reminds people of ranch life and the Wild West. A graduation cap marks achievement. A hard hat shows you’re on the job.
So, hats have always been a way to express who you are, whether it’s your job, culture, or personal style.
5 Interesting Hat Facts
- There are over 140 different types of hats around the world—from ceremonial to streetwear.
- Men’s hat makers are called hatters, while women’s hat designers are known as milliners.
- Despite their name, Panama hats actually come from Ecuador.
- Britain had a hat tax from 1784 to 1811. The fancier your hat, the more tax you paid.
- National Hat Day is celebrated every year on January 15 in the U.S.
Wrapping Up the Story of Hats
Hats have always been more than just something to wear on your head. They carry stories, meanings, and messages.
From ancient hunters to modern streetwear lovers, hats have stayed part of human culture—changing with the times but never going out of style.
Some people wear them for faith, others for fashion. And some just because they like how they look. Whatever the reason, one thing’s clear: hats aren’t going anywhere.
Did we miss anything important in the origins of hats? Feel free to share your thoughts or any questions you have in the comments below!
FAQs about the History of Hats
What is the main purpose of wearing a hat?
The main purpose of wearing a hat is to protect the head from the sun, rain, or cold. Hats are also used for style, tradition, or showing status.
Who invented the first hat?
No one knows exactly who invented the first hat. But the oldest known hat was worn by Ötzi the Iceman around 3250 BC.
Are hats still popular today?
Yes, hats are still popular. People wear them for fashion, protection from the weather, cultural reasons, and special occasions.
Why don’t men wear top hats anymore?
Men stopped wearing top hats because everyday fashion became more casual over time. They were replaced by more practical and comfortable styles.
