Just like hairstyles, trends in women’s hats constantly evolve. The 1920s saw a flurry of turbans and musketeer hats, while today’s scene favors fedoras and cowboy hats. Interestingly, the core hat styles themselves haven’t changed much throughout the decades. What truly transforms is what’s considered fashionable at any given time.
Modern times offer a delightful smorgasbord of hat options for women. From cozy knit beanies to wide-brimmed sun hats and classic straw boaters, the variety is endless. Additionally, with a more relaxed approach to gender norms, women today have the freedom to explore a wider range of hat shapes and styles than ever before. So, buckle up for a whirlwind tour through the fascinating history of women’s western hat styles!
WOMENS WESTERN HAT STYLES
Women’s cowboy hats are a versatile fashion accessory that can be worn in a variety of ways to create a variety of looks. Here are some of the most popular styles of women’s cowboy hats:
COWBOY HATS
The iconic cowboy hat boasts a tall crown and a wide, upturned brim. While unisex, women often favor brighter colors and decorative touches like hatbands, bows, or ribbons. Their brims are narrower in front, and felt, straw, or leather are common materials. These “cowgirl hats” add a stylish touch to any Western-inspired outfit.
FEDORA HAT
The fedora’s magic lies in its versatility. From casual weekend looks with jeans to a show-stopping red carpet entrance, it can be dressed up or down. Consider the brim size (stiff for halo style, floppy for a jaunty tilt), hairstyle (loose waves or low bun works best), and color (classic or a pop with brims or trim) to personalize your fedora look.
WOMEN’S STRAW HATS
Straw hats are an indispensable fashion accessory for women on hot summer days. With a light, airy design and a variety of styles, straw hats not only provide effective sun protection but also add style to your style, making it more stylish and feminine.
STRAW PANAMA HATS
Though often confused, Panama hats and fedoras differ in material. Panama hats, popular for women, are woven from natural straw, typically appearing in beige or white. While fedoras can come in various colors, Panama hats offer a more natural look, with some options in brown or black.
FLOPPY HATS FOR WOMEN
Floppy hats, with their wide, cascading brims, are a summer staple for women. They offer a touch of both elegance and practicality. The wide brim provides excellent sun protection, making them perfect for days at the beach or long walks in the sun. Floppy hats come in a variety of styles and materials, from the classic straw hats ideal for hot days to felt fedoras that add a touch of sophistication. Whether you prefer a casual or dressy look, there’s a floppy hat out there to complement your style and keep you cool and protected.
FLOPPY SUN HATS FOR THE BEACH
A summer staple, the floppy sun hat offers stylish sun protection. Also known as a harvest or lifeguard hat, it boasts a wide brim (usually over 4 inches) that shades the face, neck, and even shoulders. Traditionally crafted from straw and accented with beaded hatbands, these hats are both functional and fashionable.
FLOPPY FEDORA HAT MADE OUT OF FELT
A classic fedora for women typically boasts a brim measuring between 2 and 3 inches. Floppy variations offer a wider brim, but with a softer feel compared to the traditional fedora’s stiffer brim.
FLOPPY WINTER HATS
Battling winter chills? Look no further than felt or wool winter hats for women. These cozy companions provide essential warmth, while some floppy styles boast adjustable brims for customized comfort. Whether you prefer a classic look or a touch of trendy flair, winter hats offer both function and style.
BUCKET HATS FOR WOMEN
Bucket hats have transcended their utilitarian origins as fishing hats to become a major fashion statement for women. These playful hats boast a short brim that dips downwards all around the crown, creating a relaxed and carefree vibe. Bucket hats come in a vast array of materials, from classic cotton canvas for everyday wear to luxurious velvet for a touch of glamour.
DESIGNER BUCKET HATS
The bucket hat, a descendant of the cloche, is having a major comeback. These snug-fitting hats with floppy brims are all the rage, sported by top designers from Gucci to Burberry. They come in a variety of styles, from simply featuring the designer’s logo to boasting unique prints that mirror iconic brand patterns.
CROCHET BUCKET HATS
Crochet bucket hats, with their relaxed construction, are perfect for casual occasions. The easy-to-make design allows for creativity with yarn color and stitch tightness, making them a fun and stylish project for crocheters of all skill levels. Whether strolling through Central Park or enjoying a garden party, a crochet bucket hat adds a touch of handmade charm to your look.
FUR BUCKET HATS
Combining warmth and style, these winter hats come in classic real or faux fur options. While black and brown are popular choices, you can find them in a variety of colors and playful patterns like leopard print, making them a fun and functional winter accessory.
RED BRIM HATS
Red brim hats make a bold and stylish statement. They instantly elevate any outfit, adding a touch of drama and sophistication. Whether you choose a classic fedora with a wide, crimson brim or a playful boater hat with a cherry red edge, the pop of color is guaranteed to turn heads. Red brim hats are particularly well-suited for summer, complementing the vibrant energy of the season.
HATS WITH RED UNDER BRIM
A stylish twist on the classic fedora is emerging! These trendy hats boast black, brown, or white crowns and brims, with a surprising pop of red peeking out from underneath the brim. This unexpected detail adds a touch of modern flair and makes a statement without being overwhelming.
HAT WITH RED BRIM
Don’t be limited by a red brim! Our hat collection features these trendy styles with a pop of color on the brim, paired with the ever-popular touch of leather crows for a complete and fashionable look.
HATS WITH BRIGHT-COLORED EDGE TRIM RIBBON SEWN AROUND THE BRIM
A pop of color is taking the hat world by storm! Bright ribbon trim adorning the brim is not only a stylish touch, but also an easy way to personalize your hat. This trendy look is available in classic shapes like fedoras, boaters, and trilby hats, offering a fun and versatile option for any outfit.
CUTE BASEBALL HATS
Baseball hats can be so much more than just sporty! The classic silhouette gets a major makeover in the world of cute baseball hats. Think pastel colors, embroidered designs with everything from florals to animals, and even glittery or sequined embellishments. These hats are perfect for adding a touch of personality and fun to any outfit. Whether you’re rocking a casual tee and jeans or dressing up a sundress, a cute baseball hat can elevate your look and keep the sun out of your eyes in style.
BLING BASEBALL HATS
Forget the plain baseball cap! Bling baseball hats elevate the classic design with dazzling rhinestones and eye-catching custom jewelry. Often crafted with a metallic sheen, these hats are the perfect statement piece for those who love to add a touch of sparkle to their everyday wear.
PINK BASEBALL HATS
Baseball hats come in for the win when it comes to women’s casual headwear. They offer a sporty vibe and come in two main styles: classic pink for a touch of femininity, or showcasing your loyalty with a team’s logo proudly displayed.
TRENDY BASEBALL HATS
What’s trendy can be subjective. A designer logo might make a hat trendy to some, while others prefer unique materials like denim or felt on their baseball hats. We even have a best-selling leather bucket hat, showing how unexpected materials can become must-have accessories.
BRITISH-STYLE WOMEN’S HATS
British fashion is synonymous with timeless elegance and a touch of sophistication, and this extends to their hats as well. British-style women’s hats offer a variety of options, from the classic and practical to the whimsically charming.
VICTORIAN HATS
Victorian hats weren’t one-size-fits-all. While some were small and perched on the head, others boasted wide brims for a more dramatic look. Regardless of size, these hats often incorporated roses or other blooms as a beautiful finishing touch.
PORK PIE HATS
The pork pie hat, a charming addition to women’s fashion, boasts a short, rounded crown with a distinctive crease. Its narrow brim, typically under two inches, flips upwards for a touch of elegance. Gaining popularity in mid-19th century England, these hats often sported a decorative hatband, sometimes even featuring a flamboyant plume of feathers.
AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK HATS
Built for the Australian outback, this hat boasts a wide brim (over 3 inches!) for superior sun and weather protection. Crafted from felt, cotton, or leather, outback hats often feature a classic military style with one side pinned up and a brim that dips in the front and back.
WOMEN’S RUSSIAN-STYLE FUR HAT
When the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing quite like a woman’s Russian-style fur hat to add warmth, elegance, and a touch of exotic flair. These hats, often crafted from luxurious furs like fox or rabbit, boast distinctive features that set them apart. Regardless of the style, a woman’s Russian-style fur hat guarantees a touch of old-world glamour and unbeatable warmth for even the harshest winter days.
DEERSTALKER HATS
The deerstalker hat, immortalized by Sherlock Holmes, boasts a distinctive double-brimmed design with ear flaps that tie up. Unlike its fur-clad cousin, the Shapka Ushanka, deerstalkers are crafted from wool, typically in stripes or herringbone patterns. Surprisingly, this classic detective staple has even made a recent comeback, gracing the runways of major fashion houses.
SHAPKA USHANKA
This toasty fur hat, also known as a trapper hat, features ear flaps that can be secured on top or tied under the chin for extra warmth. Unlike many hats, it boasts neither a brim nor a tall crown, prioritizing functionality over flair. Originally designed to keep Russian soldiers warm in harsh winters, the trapper hat offers cozy comfort that has transcended borders.
COSSACK HATS
The Cossack hat boasts a tall crown and a thick fur cuff at the base, offering warmth and a touch of luxury. Ear flaps may or may not be present, but a decorative broach adorns the fur, adding a touch of feminine flair. Some adventurous Cossack hat variations even feature colorful fur for a bolder statement.
1940’S WOMEN’S HAT STYLES
The 1940s saw a dramatic shift in women’s fashion due to World War II. Fabric rationing and a focus on practicality influenced hat styles. Wide-brimmed hats remained popular, offering sun protection while working outdoors. However, the silhouette became smaller and sleeker compared to the flamboyant styles of the 1930s.
FRENCH BERET
The beret, a quintessential symbol of France, boasts a flat crown that can be tilted for a touch of Parisian flair. Unlike its brimmed counterparts, this iconic hat features a small stalk at the top, completing its effortlessly stylish silhouette.
TURBAN
The turban offers a stylish and versatile headwear option. Crafted from fabric, it can be self-tied for a custom fit or purchased pre-styled for convenience. While typically plain, some turbans add a touch of flair with decorative elements like flowers, pins, or feathers.
PILLBOX HAT
The pillbox hat, popularized by Jackie Onassis, is a small, circular hat with no brim that perches on the head. Unlike some dramatic hats, it allows for a stylish tilt and keeps the hairstyle intact. With a low profile often under two inches tall, this hat is both elegant and unobtrusive.
1930’S WOMEN’S HAT STYLES
The 1930s was a golden age for hats, and women’s styles were as diverse as they were glamorous. The iconic cloche hat, a close-fitting helmet style, dominated the early part of the decade, often tilted at a jaunty angle and adorned with feathers or jewels. Even sporty looks incorporated hats, with fedoras and trilby styles offering a touch of masculinity. No matter the occasion, a well-chosen hat was the perfect finishing touch for any stylish woman in the 1930s.
CLOCHE
The cloche hat, aptly named for the French word for “bell,” takes its inspiration from its distinctive curved shape. Hugging close to the head, it features a short brim that dips on one side and playfully rises on the other. Often adorned with a charming bow or flower on the hatband, the cloche hat is a timeless symbol of elegance.
MADCAP
Elsa Schiaparelli, a renowned milliner, brought us the “mad cap.” This felt hat, lacking a brim, conformed to the wearer’s whim. Crafted from felt, it offered endless styling possibilities, allowing women to mold it into their desired shape.
1920’S WOMEN’S HAT STYLES
Overall, 1920s hats were a reflection of the changing times – stylish, yet practical, embodying the spirit of the independent and carefree flapper.
SAILOR BRIM STRAW HAT
The rise of straw hats brought both sailor styles and boaters into fashion. These lightweight options featured a classic straw build, perfect for warmer weather. Sailor hats often added a touch of whimsy with a long, flowing ribbon trailing from the back brim. Boaters, on the other hand, sported a neat and compact design with a low crown and a brim measuring around two inches.
WIDE-BRIMMED CURVED
Around the turn of the 20th century, wide-brimmed hats reigned supreme for women. Often graced with feathers or blooms, these dramatic pieces perched at the back of the head, framing the face with a halo effect created by the brim. The brim itself offered styling versatility, turning up or down to suit the wearer’s preference. These beauties also went by the fitting name “picture hats.”
MUSKETEER HAT WITH FEATHERS
Fueled by the 1921 release of “The Three Musketeers,” a trend for musketeer hats emerged among women. These hats mirrored the bicorn or tricorn style, featuring an upturned brim at the front. Feathers, often adorning the front or side, added a touch of swashbuckling flair.
WOMEN’S TOP HAT
Standing tall with a crown exceeding five inches, the women’s top hat embodies elegance. Its short, two-inch brim is eclipsed by a flat crown, while the front and back dip gracefully downward in contrast to the upswept sides. This iconic style adds a touch of drama and sophistication to any outfit.
FAQ
1. What should you keep in mind when choosing and wearing a hat?
- You should choose a hat that is the right size for your head.
- You should choose a hat with a design that suits your body shape and personal style.
- Hats should be worn properly to avoid damaging the hairstyle.
- Hats should be stored in a cool, dry place when not in use.
2. What style suggestions do you recommend for women’s big head hats?
Wide brim: Fedora, bucket, floppy.
High crown: Beret, cloche.
Details: Beanie with bow, patterned beanie.
CONCLUSION
Throughout history, women’s hats have been a canvas for both fashion and function. This guide explores how hat styles have evolved alongside the times, reflecting the creativity of designers and the individuality of women who wear them. From practical sun protection to bold statements of style, hats have always played a fascinating role in women’s fashion.
