A very simple definition of a hat is a type of garment that is worn on top of the head. This may be worn for protection from the weather, or it may worn simply as a decoration. All through history, there have been many different ways that hats have been used. Some have been used to show a social standing, some for artistic reasons, others worn as ornaments, and even others were worn for practical reasons as well. There are been a variety of different kinds and forms of hats as well through history.

A straw hat with a wide brim is one of the oldest hats. This type of a hate was made by weaving straw or by braiding straw and then sewing it together in circles to create a hat. Usually this hat was worn to help keep the sun off of the face and neck. The wide brim straw hat was one of the earliest hats ever made because of how readily available the straw would have been. It is also very easy to replace this type of a hat as well.

While most hats in the beginning were worn to protect the head and face, before long they become symbolic and even worn for decoration as well. The Phrygian cap, which was used in ancient Rome and Greece, was a type of hat that was given to slaves who had been freed. Of course there were crowns as well, which were always a symbol of being of royal blood, and then there have also been various types of hats that were worn by various members of the clergy as well throughout history.

As you look back through history, you will find that most hats were made of straw, leather, stiff fabric, or felt. Now days hats are also made of plastic and various other materials as well. There have been a variety of different shapes of hats that have emerged throughout history as well. There have been hoods, tricorn hats, skullcaps, top hats, and many more.

During the Medieval times, hats were actually worn by women for the sake of being modest. Women were to make sure that their hair was covered up, using either a kerchief or some kind of a veil. As time went on, more elaborate hats came into being, and soon they were being worn for more than merely being modest, but they were actually being worn as decorations as well. During the 16th century, the first women's hat makers finally came into being. After this time period, hat fashions for women continued to become more and more popular.

Until the middle of the 19th century, women usually were wearing bonnets. After this time, there were various other styles of hats that became popular for women, including the tiny hats and the boater hat. The boater hat was a type of sport hat, and this was very significant, since never before had sporting wear for women influenced fashion. During the Edwardian era, the hats soon became very large, and some even had arrangements of flowers on them or even some birds as decorations on the hats.

The cloche, a small hat, shaped like a helmet, came into being after the first World War. Soon customs hats were becoming a thing of the past, and ready to wear hats became more popular. Since the 1950's women's hats have become less popular, since they are no longer considered important for every outfit worn. Now days hats are still worn for some types of special occasions, but there are more hat options than every before. When it comes to your hats, you can find almost anything you desire, so there are great choices today when it comes to finding a hat that suits you.