Fashion Styles of Hats Throughout History

The more things change the more they stay the same; that's why when it comes to styles of hats, classic styles are often the most popular.

Every day out in public, the casual observer will see any number of people wearing baseball caps and—in cooler climates and seasons—felt or wool winter hats. While strikingly diverse styles of headwear, these are both very basic and useful hat fashions that have proven popular throughout the generations.

Then there are the more formal styles that are simply a part of our culture. Men, for example, tend to favor the classic fedora hat; an elegant head covering that generally comes in black, brown, white or dark blue, and that sometimes comes complete with a decorative band. And today's ladies still top off their heads with wide-brimmed sunhats (such as the one Scarlett O'Hara wore in "Gone With the Wind") and the more subtle, rounded cloche hat; a style popularized in the 1920s, that continues to be popular among upscale females, especially when accentuated by a flower, feather or band.

Both sunhats and cowboy hats remain popular in the south, particularly when they serve to shield their wearers from the pounding rays of the sun. In addition, contemporary women sometimes wear fedoras (particularly in feminine colors like pink, lavender and red) but often favor softer, more feminine head wraps, which can be secured with the use of jewels and pins and are particularly in place at formal affairs.

Another hat that has stood the test of time is the beret, first made popular in France it is still worn especially by young people with an interest in fashion. Black seems to be the most popular color for this light, flexible but classy piece of headwear, though young ladies in particular can be seen in pink, lavender, red, and (if they happen to be fans of the pop singer Prince) raspberry berets.

Still other hats have changed in their fashion appeal; the beanie for example is no longer just for children but has gained popularity among teenagers and young adults. Today beanies can be seen worn by both artists and musician primarily in colors like black and brown.

While Styles of Hats come and go, head coverings that are attractive, inexpensive, useful and comfortable tend to stay around a while; whereas those that are cumbersome, costly and outrageous tend to survive for only brief periods of time, as throwaway trends.

Perhaps more than most other pieces of apparel or accessories a hat is a personal statement on style. Fashions come and go, but people often try out a variety of hats before they find the one that's right for them; before they discover a style so fetching and comfortable, that it soon becomes 'old hat!'

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