Types of Hats
An Alphabetic List A - D
Below, you will find a list of many different types of hats that have been recorded in the history of Millinery. While this is not a complete list, I am still discovering more as my research continues and I suspect that I will be researching for the rest of my life.
I love all hats and to list every style I would have a massive list, and as I don't profess to know them all, I will list those that I do know, and as you read on, you will see how many types there really are.
Listed are many different types of hats, spanning over centuries, and each have different means of technique to produce. Given time, you will find a link to "how to Make" some of the styles which are worn currently, however, you will also find that some hats are called by several different names, so you are sure to find repetition on occasions. Over the years, the millinery techniques used are very similar, but of course, some of the materials used in millinery today is different to that of years gone by.
Types of Hats
AGAL - (ah gaul)-The thick cords of wool which hold the KAFFIYEH, the clothe headdress of the desert people, in place.
ALPINE - Sporty types of hats of soft felt or tweed. The crown slants upward to a lengthwise crease. The narrow brim is rolled up at the back and turned down in front . Brush or feather trim in the headband. Adapted from hats worn by people in the Swiss Alps. Also TYROLEAN HAT.
ANNIE HALL - (Late 1970's) In the movie "Annie Hall," the actress Diane Keaton popularized a fashion consisting of a drooping hat, long vest, wide tie, baggy pants and a man's shirt.
ARCTIC CAP - Fabric crown insulated with goose down. Mouton lamb storm flaps turn down to protect neck, ears and forehead.
ATEF - See EGYPTIAN CROWN
ATTIFET - ( Mid 16c. ) French headdress consisting of hair rolled over pads. Worn with heart-shaped cap. Also ARCELET, MARY STUART COIF AND CAP.
AUROLE - A late nineteenth century hat with an upturned brim that framed the face in a semi-circle shape, popular throughout the 1940s.
AUSTRIAN SPORTS HATS - Also known as TYROLEAN
AUTO MOBILE BONNET - ( Early 20c. ) Large brimmed hat worn with a long chiffon, net or tulle scarf that enveloped the face and hat and tied under the chin. Worn to protect the wearer while riding in the new open auto mobiles over dusty roads.
To see even more different types of hats, click on the link below:-
Types of Hats - Alphabetical list E - M
BABET - Cap with a small puffered caul set high on the head, the sides descending over the cheeks.
BABUSHKA - ( bah boosh ka ) - Russian word for grandmother. A Russian peasant scarf worn either tied under the chin or at the back of the neck
BABY STUART CAP - Close fitting, shirred lace infant's cap. From the 17c. portrait of the infant Stuart prince by Van Dyck.
BAIGNEUSE - An 18th Century cap
BAKER BOY HAT - Refer to Newsboy hat
BALACLAVA - A type of headgear which probably originated in some cold mountainous country in Asia. It is usually knitted and covers the ears and often the face with an opening for the eyes
BALLOON HAT - These type of Hats, very popular 1783-1795 had huge puffy crowns, and were usually brimmed,
BALMORAL - ( bal mor al ) - The Scotch BLUEBONNET of the highlanders. Blue woolen beret cap with top projecting over a tartan band of Stuart colors, checkered design. In 1850, Queen Victoria and her Prince Consort made the Aberdeenshire, Scotland castle of Balmoral their summer residence, The Queen dressed the prince in the Highland costume and created a fashion.
BANDEAU (BANDEAUX) - A decorative headband worn as a hat, such as those popular in the 1960s: or as a decorative headdress like the 1920s headache bands.
BANDINO HAT - ( 1930's ) Woman's large-brimmed hat. Named for Luca della Robbia's 15c. renditions of the Christ Child.
BARBE - ( 14 to 16c. ) A long piece of vertically pleated linen, worn under the chin and covering the chest. With a black hood and long black veil. The headdress of widows and mourners.
BARBETTE - (late 12c.,13c. and early 14c. ) Linen chin band, pinned in position on top of the head. Illustration shows the FILLET, a stiffened band of linen, wound over the BARBETTE covered with a small veil.
BARRET - Wide, flat cap worn during the Middle Ages by priests. Barret of velvet with embroidery and feathers shown in the 15c. and 16c. paintings by Holbein.
BASEBALL CAP - Gored cap with visor. Button on top. These type of hats are very much in vogue at the moment and have been for several years.
BASHLYK - ( Ancient ) Round-topped felt bonnet, with lappets.
BASQUE BERET - (bask ba ray ) Flat, round, woolen fabric cap worn by Basque peasants. Usually woven in one piece
BAVOLET - ( ba vo lay ) - A cap worn by French peasant women. A 19c style called the CURTAIN BONNET, had a back ruffle, called a bavolet, that shaded the neck. In the 16c., the BAVOLETTE was a piece of fabric that was folded and attached to the cap, with the folds projecting over the forehead and hanging down in the back.
BEANIE - ( 20c., American ) Small, round skull-cap, cut in gores to make it fit the head. Also BEANY, DINK, DINKY. See CALOT. The current beanie is a knitted type of hat, but is still described as above.
BEAVER - A hat of various crown and brim shapes. Originally, in 14c., made of beaver skin. In 16c., made from felted beaver fur. In 17c., the tall top hat, made of silk in imitation of beaver.
BEEFEATER - The narrow-brimmed hat worn by the British Yeomen of the Guards and Warders of the Tower of London since the 16c. These type of Hats consists of a flat-topped, medium-high crown gathered into a headband.
BEEHIVE - High, tapered crown, Shaped like a beehive. Hat usually has a narrow brim.
BELLBOY or BELLHOP - A small, stiff cap in pillbox shape, usually trimmed with braid or buttons, sometimes with a chin strap. Copy of a cap worn by hotel bellboys.
BERET - ( ba ray ) - A cap with a round flat crown of varying widths. Made of felt, wool or other fabric. Forms of the beret have been found since Ancient Times. A larger beret style was a favourite of King Henry VIII during the sixteenth century. In 15c., HALO BERET. Also BASQUE BERET, PLUMED BERET, TAM O' SHANTER, PANCAKE BERET, MONTGOMERY BERET.
BERGERE HAT - A widebimmed straw hat with a low crown, 1730 - 1780,
BERRETINO - ( ber ret tee no ) - Square, scarlet skullcap with corners pinched in. As worn by Cardinals of the Catholic Church. See BIRETTA
BETHLEHEM HEADDRESS - Truncated, cone-shaped cap, decorated with gold and silver coins and jewels. Worn with a veil. Ancient Moslem headdress. Copied in the 1930's . Also TARBOOSH.
BIBI BONNET - (bee bee bunneh ) - Appeared around 1830's as a smaller version of the POKE BONNET. At first it was fitted close to the sides of the head, later the brim flared upward and forward in front. In the late 19c., any small fanciful and elegant type of hat was called BIBI. In 1956, Sally Victor came out with a BIBI style.
BICORN or BICORNE - ( by corn ) A variation of the cocked hat, appearing around 1790, and supplanting the TRICORNE. The brim of the BICORNE is folded up in front and back. The BICORNE became the military dress hat of the British, American and French. Other types of hats similar to these are the WELLINGTON, which was a version that had tassels. The NAPOLEON hat was a BICORNE with a tricolor cockade.
BIGGIN - ( big in ) - ( der. Fr. BEGUINE, a cap worn by nuns ) A coif like cap, with ties under the chin, 16c. and 17c.
BIRCAGE - Hat of stiffened veiling, shaped like a birdcage.
BIRETTA - ( bi ret ah ) - Since 17c., a square cap with three or four upright projections, radiating from the center crown . Worn by Roman Catholic clergy. Developed, since 13c., out of a cap formed like the modern beret. Also BERRETTA, BIRRETTA, BIRETUM, BARRET-CAP, BARETTE, BERET.
BLUEBONNET - Broad, slat cap of dark blue wool, woven in one piece. Narrow tartan headband. Colored tuft on top. Also BALMORAL.
BOATER -(British term ) A stiff, straight-brimmed, straw hat with a flat crown and a ribbon band. Also known as a SKIMMER or a SAILOR STRAW. These types of hats were introduced about 1864 for children, then worn by women. Worn by men from 1880 to 1930.
BOLLINGER - A bowl shaped stiffened crown, topped with a button or knob, with a narrow brim.
BONGRACE - ( 16c. and 17c. ) Oblong shaped, stiff material which dips over the forehead and drapes in back, worn over a coif.
BONNET - Until 16c., any masculine head covering other than a hood was a bonnet ( French ), cap ( English ). Scotchmen still call their caps BONNET. Since 19c., the term refers to a soft head covering for women that ties under the chin.
BOUDOIR CAP - ( boo dwar ) - Softly shirred cap with a lace ruffle. In 19c., and 20c., a cap worn to cover undressed women's hair. Lingerie or morning cap worn by flapper in the 1920s
BOURRELET - Originally a twisted scarf or turban worn on the helmet. A 15c. term for the padded roll worn by both men and women as a base for a headdress.
BOWLER - ( bole er ) -A stiff felt hat with a round crown and small brim rolled slightly on the sides. In 1850, William Bowler made a hard felt hat, designed by the London hatter, Lock, for Sir William Coke. These type of hats were created to protect the head while riding horseback. The hat has a low melon-shaped crown and a rounded brim that turns up at the sides. The hat shape was adapted for women and children, accepted for town wear by men until WW II. Also BILLYCOCK, DERBY.
BRETON SAILOR - ( bret on ) - ( French, bretonh ) Woman's hat with a brim that turns up evenly all around, originally a masculine hat worn by the Bretons..
BRIDAL HATS - Many types of Hats worn by brides or the wedding party
BRIDAL HEADPIECES - Head wear worn by brides
BRIDAL VEILS - A long length of tuelle worn to flow down the back of the bride and is usually attached to a decorative headpiece.
BROADBRIM - Term is nickname for Quaker, Friend. See QUAKER HAT.
BUBBLE - Melon shaped, pillbox cap.
BUCKET HATS - A modern fabric covered casual hat with straight sides, flat crown and a small brim. These types of hats are very popular today.
BULBOUS - ( 16c., German ) BALZO, REBALZO (16c. Italian ) A large, dome shaped cap. This hat completely covered the hair.
BUMPER BRIM - Hat with a tubular shaped brim. Size of brim and crown varies. See KRIZIA CAP for 1970's version
BUSBY - ( buz bi ) - A tall, cylindrical fur cap with regimental colored bag like ornament hanging form the top, over the right side. Brush on top of center front. Originally 15c., these types of hats were part of the cavalry uniform of Hungarian Hussars.
BUSH HAT - Wide-brimmed man's felt hat, turned up brim at one side. Also SOUTH ARFICAN SAFARI HAT, CADDIE, CADDY, SLOUCH HAT can be grouped as similar types of hats.
BUTTERFLY HEADDRESS - ( 15c.) Variation of the HENNIN. Box like cap, wired and draped with sheer veiling so that it stands out like butterfly wings.
BYCOCKET, BYCOKET - ( by cock et ) High crowned hat with wide brim that is peaked in front and turned up in back . Middle Ages, 16c., Italian students in 20c.
To see even more different types of hats, click on the link below:-
Types of Hats - Alphabetical list N - Z
CABAS ( kah bas ) - Version of PHRYGIAN BONNET brought out by Sally Victor in 1956.
CABRIOLET BONNET - (kab ree o leh, kab ree ah leh ) - Large 19c. bonnet with brim, suggesting shape of two wheeled carriage top.
CALASH, CALECHE - ( ka lash ) - Large folding hood supported by hoops, designed to be raised or lowered over the exaggerated 18c. hair styles and MOBS. Named after folding top of calash or light carriage. Also THERESE, GAUZIER, BASHFUL BONNET.
CALOT, CALOTTE - ( ka lot ) - Small, round skullcap. Ancient Greek origin. In medieval times, worn under hood or crown. In 17c., worn under wig or as night cap over shaved head. Also ZUCHETTO, YARMULKA, SCHOOLBOY'S BEANIE or DINK.
CALPAC - ( kal pac ) - Large, black cap of felt or sheepskin worn by men in Bulgaria. Also SHAPKA, COSSACK CAP.
CAMBRIDGE - A variation of the Bowler hat with a flat topped crown
CAMPAIGN HAT - Broad brimmed felt army hat with four dents in top of crown, W W I.
CAMURO - ( cah mow ro ) - Ermine trimmed, red velvet cap, larger than a skullcap, formerly worn by Pope of Roman Catholic Church.
CANOTIER - ( kan o tyay ) - French version of the straw sailor hat, with straight brim, flat crown. Another name for these types of hats is a BOATER.
CAP - Of ancient origin. Snug fitting head covering, usually with partial brim or visor. Many variations during Middle Ages for men, women and children. Modern versions as BASEBALL, HUNTING, JOCKEY, SPORTS, BOY'S ENGINEER, ARMY FORAGE, are among these types of hats.
CAPE HAT - Half hat made by attaching fabric or felt to a bicycle clip
CAPELINE - ( cap e lin ) - Hat with small round crown and a wide, floppy brim. Capeline is also the given to felt and straw blanks ready for blocking.
CAPOTE - ( ka pote ) - Close fitting bonnet with rigid brim, either of straw or boned into shape. Soft, shirred crown , ribbon bows tied under the chin, Victorian 19c. with deep ruffle in back. Also POKE BONNET, FANCHON, SCUTTLE BONNET, SUN BONNET.
CAPUCHE - ( ka poosh ) - Long, pointed hood worn by the Capuchin monks.
CAPUCHON - ( kap yoo chin ) - Medieval pointed hooded cape, the top stiffened down the center. Developed into the CHAPERON.
CAPULET - ( Kap yoo let ) - ( Fr. ca poo lay ) Adaptation of Juliet cap, worn on back of head. Juliet Capulet, Heroine of Shakespeare's play, " Romeo and Juliet."
CARDINAL'S HAT - ( from 13c. ) Red hat with short, rounded crown and broad flat brim. Rank was designated by the number of tassels which terminated the cords.
CARTWHEEL - Woman's hat with very wide, stiff brim and low crown, 1940-1950. These type of hats are usually of straw.
CASQUE - ( kask ) - French for helmet. A helmet shaped hat. Illustration is a 1980's version of the casque, covered with feather pads.
CASTOR HAT - ( kas ter ) - From French word for beaver or rabbit. the name indicated that a mixture of wool and rabbit fur had been added to these types of hats.
CASUAL HATS - Easy wearing hats that are worn for pacticality as well as style.
CATER CAP - ( kay ter ) - (19c., 17c. ) Term for square, university cap. Also MORTARBOARD.
CAUBEEN - ( caw been ) - Irish slang term for an old and shabby hat.
CAUL - ( kol ) - ( 14c., 15c., 16c. ) Headdress of hair arranged at each side of the head in silken cases. Arrangement covered with net of silver or gold cord, inter spaced with jewels and beads. Held in place by a golden headband or crown fitted over the upper edge of the caul. Also GOLDEN NET CAUL, RETICULATED HEADDRESS, CREPINE, CRESTINE, CRESPINETTE.
CAVALIER HAT, CHEVALIERS - (17C. ) Wide brimmed type of hat, velvet or beaver, trimmed with ostrich plumes on the left side or back. Usually one side of the brim is cocked or rolled. Seen in portraits of aristocrats of the period. The gentleman's hat as portrayed by the Flemish painter, Sir Anthony Van Dyck, and the Dutch painter, Frans Hals. The CAVALIER hat had the crown circled with jewelled necklace or a gem encrusted silk band. Although some Puritans are pictured wearing the Cavalier hat, the usual Puritan and Quaker hat was of the same high quality but without the plumes or ornate band and the brim worn straight.
CHADOR - The traditional concealing garment worn by Moslem Women in public was semicircular, and wrapped around the head.
CHAPEAU - ( sha po ) - French word for outdoor head covering. A chapeau has a crown and a brim.
CHAPEAU BRAS - A military bicorne that could be folded flat
CHAPEAU CLAQUE - See Gibus hat.
CHAPEL CAP - Circle or triangle or lace, formerly placed on the head when entering a Catholic Church for services. It was carried in purse. Also known as a Mantilla
CHAPERON - ( shap ah ron ) - ( Middle Ages into Renaissance ) Pointed hood ( long point known as liripipe ) with short cape. The hood face opening was placed over the forehead as a headband and the cape gathered up and pleated in the form of a fan . The liripipe was twisted around the pleated cape to hold it in place. (14c. ) The petal scalloping or dagged or castellated edge was a variation. (15c. ) This was gradually sewn into place as a hat. The chaperon was made up over a stuffed roll or ROUNDLET. The liripipe eventually acquired great lengths.
CHAPLET - ( chap lit ) - Circle of fresh flowers, later fashioned in gold and enamels in Age of Antiquity.
CHARACTER HAT - Late 1970's rumpled tweed hat worn by New York Senator Pat Moynihan.
CHARLOTTE CORDAY - ( shar lot cor day ) - Bonnet or cap with a small puffer crown enclosed by a band and narrow frill and worn on the back of the head. These types of hats, or versions of MOB were worn by Charlotte Corday during the French reign of terror, 1793. Tricolor band and rosette was the distinguishing feature.
CHECHIA - ( she shee a ) - Berber skullcap or TASHASHIT. Deep cylindrical, flat-topped cap of felt with a tuft or tassel. French regiment of Zouaves, organized in 1831, adopted the red felt chechia. Also FEZ. TARBOOSH.
CHIGNON CAP - ( shen yon ) - A little cap worn over the bun or coil of hair at the back of the head. These types of hats were made in various styles and fabrics.
CHILD'S PUDDING - These types of Hats with a strong brim ( bumper ) acts as a shock absorber when the child is learning to walk and tumbles.
CHIMNEY POT - A variation of the top hat with a very tall crown and tapered slightly towards the top.
CHOU - ( shoo, French word for cabbage ) - Rosette of tulle, lace, velvet, or ribbon used as ornament on hats in the late 19c. In 1938, term used for a soft hat with crushed crown.
CHURCH HATS - Many types of hats suitable for wearing to church.
CITY FLAT CAP - Beret, with small brim, made of wool, felt, or knitted of black woollen yarn. ( 16c. ) See STATUE CAP.
CLAFT, KLAFT, HAT - ( Coptic for hood ) Ancient Egyptian striped linen headdress. After Napoleon's Egyptian campaign in 1798, the French Foreign Legion adopted the curtain like headdress for desert warfare. See KLAFT for illustration.
CLOCHE - ( klosh ) -( French word for bell ) Soft style of the 1920's, fashioned from a hood of chiffon or handkerchief felt. Hat that covered the head to the neck in back; it came to the eyebrows in front. A flapper age, boyish style. These types of hats are still popular today.
CLOTH HATS - Those types of hats that are made from fabric.
COAL SCUTTLE BONNET - ( Late 18c., early 19c. ) Bonnet with flat back and a scoop brim that resembles a coal scuttle. Also POKE BONNET, CAPOTE.
COALHEAVER - A cloche hat with no front brim and a flap hanginng down the back of the neck. These type of hats were worn by coal and dustmen at the time 1928-30
COCKED HATS - A hat with a folded or turn-up brim
COCKTAIL HATS - These types of hats are usually worn in the evening, and are often jewelled.
COIF - A small cap that fitted closely on the back of the head
COKE - Another name for a Bowler
COOLIE - A round pointed hat as worn by the Chinese 1934 and 1950-60 and currently.
COPOTAIN - A hat with a tall conical crown and moderate brim 1560-1620
CORNET(TE) - 1800-1840 indoors cap with a puffed and sometimes pointed crown, gathered into a broad band around the face which continued under the chin. A decorative interior bonnet or cap, often lacy
COSTUME HATS - Many types of Hats which are worn for theatrical performances or for Fancy dress events.
COTTAGE BONNET - Early nineteenth century simple close fitting straw bonnet, the sides projecting beyond the face., these types of hats were often worn tied 'gipsy' style, with ribbons encircling the hair to tie under the chin.
COWBOY HAT - Originally a felt hat worn by cattle herders. The 1980's "urban cowboys and cowgirls" were wearing these types of hats in straw and felt versions. This hat has a wide, rolled brim hat with high creased crown. Also STETSON.
COWL or CAPUCHON - ( Medieval ) Monk's loose, pointed hood attached to a cloak.
CRESPINE, CRISPINE - ( Gothic ) A development in the RETICULATED HEADDRESS, consisting of the tight golden headband to which the CAULS were attached on the sides.
CRINOLINE HAT - A hat with a lacy effect made from Crin, These types of hats are usually made with a combination of other materials.
CUMBERLAND HAT - 1830s variation of the tophat with a tall narrow crown tapering towards the top.
To see even more different types of hats, click on the link below:-
Types of Hats - Alphabetical list E - M
DEERSTALKER - Sportsman's tweed, or cloth, cap with visors in front and back and earflaps outside and tied on top. Crown lined with scarlet poplin and reversible. These types of hats were worn by deer hunters. Also SHERLOCK HOLMES CAP, FORE AND AFT, DUCKHUNTERS.
DERBY - ( der bi ) - ( British, dar bi ) In 1888, the 12th Earl of Derby visited the United States wearing a stiff, hard, brown felt hat that had dome-shaped crown and a narrow, a slightly curled brim. This set a fashion named after him. Also BILLYCOCK, BOWLER, CLOCKER, COKES. are also names as these types of hats
DISCO HAT - ( Late 1970's ) A small hat worn above the forehead and tilted to one side, held on by an elastic or ribbon band in back. The discotheque was a popular place to observe fashion trends.
DOLL HAT - Name given to small types of hats in various styles and materials. Usually worn forward and tilted above the right eye. In 18c. England, a feminine version of the MACARONI. In 1930, a hat designed by Schiaparelli. Frank Olive brought out a version in 1979.
DOLLY VARDEN - A small toque hat named after the heroine of Charles Dicken's novel, Barnaby Rudge. It was worn tilted well forward
DORMEUSE - ( French for "sleeper" ) In 1770's, a cap of shirred lawn worn at night, with plaited ribbon, held on by a ribbon tied on top of the head. For daytime wear, the DORMEUSE BONNET came in many designs.
DRAWN BONNET - A formal bonnet with shirred fabric (usually silk) over whale bone or cane supports. Similar to the calash, but with vertical supports to keep it from folding flat.
DUCKBILL - Bonnet having a long, high, curving visor. Usually tied on with ribbon under the chin. Worn by Marveluese of French Directoire Period ( 1795, dee rek twar ). Also JOCKEY CAP, DIRECTOIRE BONNET.
DUTCH CAP - Close fitting, pointed crown, cap with brim rolling up and flaring out at the sides. Dutch woman's cap of lace or muslin. Also VOLENDAM CAP.
You will note that all the different types of hats above, range from the thirteenth century, some names in the list may not be familiar to you, however, there will be several types of hats listed that are common to today's millinery.
