Cover Photo Courtesy of Instagram.com/philiptreacy
Before becoming the wonderful accessories that reflect their wearer’s fashionable sense, hats have gone through a history of evolution and creativity that is worth highlighting. To start with, this piece was most commonly worn by men up until the 15th century, when it turned into an accessory also available in styles fit for women.
Hats – which can be made in various materials like plastic, cotton, wool, and felt – date back to about 15,000 years ago. While ones made of plant fibers were usually associated with rural traditions in Europe and Anatolia, artisans in Athens and Rome used to wear felt conical caps with egg-shaped crowns. With time, hats gained their brim. As for upper-class men, they used to go hatless unless the weather is bad, they are hunting or traveling, up until emperor Augustus Caesar set a new trend of never going out without a hat.
In Egypt, wigs of human hair or sheep wool were worn to protect men from the sun, then helmet caps started being ornamented with symbols of rack – the asp was used for kings and the feather for sovereignty. Hats kept evolving and during the 15th century, women’s hats became more elaborate and in the 17th century, Europeans wore hats indoors and outdoors.
While each culture, country, and social class had its very own styles, this accessory has now become a symbol of fashion that is accessible to all.
Article Written by Mirella Haddad
