Who doesn’t love a good hat? No matter your age, gender, job, or type of hairstyle—you have probably worn your fair share of hats. Hats are a great fashion accessory for any age or gender, and are a very versatile fashion accessory for all sorts of occasions! Short hair, long hair, curly hair, straight hair, buzz cuts or bald – hats are perfect for any head. Although there are formal hats for, of course, formal occasions and more extravagant events, most people love to wear casual hat styles to match their casual every day fashion needs.

Some may think that the advent of the casual hat has only come about in the last one hundred years—but they’re greatly mistaken! Casual hats have been a part of fashion for centuries! Of course, a casual hat from an American teen shop in 2010 is going to look vastly different than a casual hat bought by an English actress from a milliner, or hat maker, in 1780, but the idea has been the same: A casual hat is a hat worn by people for everyday use!
In earlier centuries, casual hats worn by the poorer classes of people were usually more for functional purposes, or were required by the morla standards of society, rather than being a garment created and worn for fashion or fun. For example, an English peasant woman in the 1400s would have worn a cloth cap on her head because showing her naked hair in public was unseemly, not because she thought the cap looked good. Casual hats worn for fashion were usually limited to the upper classes who could afford the luxury of non-functional clothing.

However, as a sort of “middle class” began to develop throughout the world, more and more people could afford to create and purchase casual hats solely with aesthetics in mind, as we do today!

In the 18th century, which was the height of popularity for casual hats among the middle classes, the type and aesthetic of a casual hat was depedent on where the person was on display while they were in a public venue. Whether someone was attending public functions or games, such as horse races and elegant parties, or simply taking the air in an open carriage. The most popular styles of hat were larger hats because they could be decorated in many different ways, showcasing a person’s personality as well as incorporating the events of the time.

This was also a way for someone to save money—instead of having to purchase a new hat for each ensemble, one hat could be redecorated to suit their needs. A man might wear a tricorn hat, or a brimmed hat with three points, decorated with the emblem of his favorite club at a gambling party or with a military medal to show his distinctions while at the royal court; a woman might decorate her hat with similar symbols expressing her thoughts about daily events, such as spring flowers or ribbons in popular colors. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, casual hats in previous centuries were also practical.


Here are a few popular casual hats of previous centuries:

Barbe Hat: This headdress was common during the 1300s to the 1500s. A Barbe is a long piece of vertically pleated linen, which was worn under the chin and came all the way down to a woman’s chest. It was worn by widows and mourners.

Bicorn or Bicorne Hat: This is a variation on the “cocked” hat which was popular in the mid to late 1700s. A similar style is the Tricorne hat. The bicorn has only two points, and its brim is folded up only in the front and back. It eventually made its way from casual wear to military uniforms of British, American, and French officers.  

Bergere or Milkmaid Hat: An 18th century hat popular among bourgeois and upper class women. It was designed to evoke a simpler country style. It had a wide brim with a low crown, and was typically held in place by a colorful ribbon.

Today, casual hats are still used as a means of self-expression and practical fashion. And just as it was in earlier centuries, casual hats are worn just about everywhere! They are worn to work, when shopping at the grocery store or mall, or anywhere! There are many types of casual fashion hats, with a nearly endless numbers of tweaks and sub- varieties to choose from.

Here are some of the more popular casual hats that are worn today. Almost all popular casual hats styles have their origins in hat styles that were started years—sometimes even centuries—before!

Baseball Cap: A cap with a visor and a button on top. This cap is popular at baseball games, but is also worn outside of sport venues. The simple design allows for many variations in material, color, and graphics on the cap and visor.

Beanie Cap: A small, round cap that is fitted to the head. The most popular material for beanie caps today is knitted material.

Beret Cap: A cap that has a round, flattened crown. This type of hat has been around since at least the sixteenth century. A large beret was a favorite choice of King Henry VIII. The beret is typically associated with France, though it’s worn around the world.

Bucket Hat: A casual hat with a small brim, flat crown, and straight sides. They are made with many kinds of material, though denim is the most popular choice. These are modern casual hats that are very popular today for men and women.

Cloche Hat: This style of hat originated during the 1920s as a popular item in women’s fashion. The hat is snug, rounded hat that covers the wearer’s head from the neck in the back, typically to the eyebrows in the front. Although this hat went out of fashion during the 1930s, it has recently come back into popular style.

Fedora Hat: A hat that originated in men’s style. It is typically made of felt. A fedora has a brim and a lengthwise crease in the crown. The fedora is iconic during the early 20th century, and today is worn by both men and women in modern style.

Sailor Hat: A hat with a straight brim and flat crown. It is typically worn by women and made of straw, and decorated with ribbons and bows.

As you can see, casual hats vary in style, material, and design. Both all of them have both fashion and practicality in mind. A casual hat will be stylish but not impede on the wearer’s daily activities!