I’m obsessed with hats. In fact, I have over 10 styles of summer and winter hats that I wear depending on the season. They are the simplest and fastest way to complete and accessorize a look especially when I don’t feel like wearing jewelry. And like every apparel and accessory, hats come in various designs, and we wear them on different occasions.
Hat evolution in the 20th century
The modern form of hats became popular in and around the 19th century with women wearing ribbon decorated bonnets. Later on, large round rim hats decorated with flowers or feathers became fashionable in the early 20th century and were considered a symbol of style, status, and tradition.
The cloche hat (bell in English) was invented in 1908 and became trendy during the 20s and early 30s. Yet, with the advent of the second world war, wearing them every day became less common. At that time, women worked hard in factories to support their families and resorted to simpler and practical dressing options. After the war, people wore hats to special occasions like weddings, art events like Opera, or church. Regardless, a hat remains one of the chicest and most elegant statements a woman can wear.
Why wear hats?
Hats were invented to primarily protect our heads from natural elements such as the sun, rain and cold weather. But since the Middle Ages, they became a style and social status statement. However, there are a number of sound reasons why women should wear hats.
Skin protection
Hats shield the skin on the face and neck from sunburns which could lead to skin cancer. As well, it reduces the impact of UV rays that contribute to aging and damaged skin. We’ve seen growing popularity of wide rim summer hats in the past few years and that’s driven by rising awareness and desire to maintain healthy-looking skin.
Shield the hair
Hair becomes dry and brittle as we age, mainly due to hormonal changes after 40. There are many ways to keep our hair moisturized, as described here. Yet, if you are spending lots of time outside, a hat will shield your hair from damage caused by extended exposure to the sun, harsh cold winds, and rain – of course!
Control body temperature
Our ancestors invented hats to stay warm in winter or cool in summer. And guess what? The need to control the human body temperature won’t go through any evolutionary changes during this lifetime. Therefore, wearing a hat isn’t just limited to fashion, it’s actually a vital gear to limit harsh weather elements.
Hats Complete a look
It’s a versatile accessory to wear anytime and on any occasion. You can wear a bucket hat or a baseball hat during the day, a straw hat at the beach or by a pool, a Fedora while vacationing, a beret, or a cloche hat on a cold day. The list goes on and on. I think hats are simpler to style as an accessory than styling with jewelry.
Hat Styles
The Best Hat Trends For Women: Discover the latest trends for Fall 2019 and Winter 2020. Click here.
