A guide to hats, caps and headwear. In this entry we first explore the origin and uses of hats. In the second section we unlock the mystery between the various types of baseball caps. Ever wonder why the world needs so many different types of caps? Just what is the difference between low profile and high profile, what is a structured cap and so on? This is your guide to hats, caps and headwear.
Hats have been around for hundreds of years and their uses and styles are as varied as the options at your local buffet. There are hundreds of different styles of hats but the most popular hat these days is the baseball hat. Hats can be made of cotton, polyester, straw, felt and many more materials.
The first known evidence of hats appears in drawings from Ancient Greece. Most of the early hats were worn by the higher society individuals or the wealthy. These people would have their very own hat makers known as a “milliner” - named after Milan Italy - where the best hats were made in the 18th century. Most milliners from that era were women. Early hats were an indicator of Military rank or occupation as can still be seen all over the world today. Among the most famous hat makers in the United States is John B. Stetson of the Stetson hat company. They are responsible for creating what most of us recognize as the Cowboy hat. In some cases hats are required attire at many horse races and formal events. These are among the last places where you will find very high end and extravagant hats. Hats have a deep history and have changed a lot over the generations. It used to be in the 30's, 40's and 50's people would never leave the house without a hat. The men would don a dress hat similar to a fedora or a Cabbie Hat and the women would wear something more extravagant that was often decorated with lace or flowers or combinations of similar accessories. As we entered into the 1960's the custom of wearing hats every time you left the house faded. Now a days you will most commonly grab a baseball cap if you are leaving the house with a hat.
Have a look at a Stetson hat being made:
Hats have a great variety of uses. We have already discussed the hats that identify members of the military. There are also hats for occupations such as a baker's hat, also known as a Toque. Then there are hard hats made of hard plastic to protect construction workers from falling debris. The bishops and Pope of the Roman Catholic Church wear a Mitre, while we may wear a knit beanie in the winter to protect against the cold or a sun hat in the summer to product us from the sun. A baseball player would wear a baseball cap as part of his uniform and to identify his team while I, as a fan, would wear the same hat to show my support. These are just a small sampling of all the uses for hats.
The Baseball cap is so popular across the world that it deserves special attention. A baseball cap is a soft, rounded-top hat with a stiff bill coming off the front. Almost all baseball caps are made of cotton, brushed-cotton to be exact. This is something most people don’t know. The brushed-cotton looks like canvas and has similar properties to it but it is really just the process of making the hat hold up a little better. True baseball caps have the team logo on the front of them and are part of the official uniform but in this instance they do not need to have a logo as we are referring to the Baseball cap as a style of hat and not specifically for the sport. Most Baseball caps these days are worn causally as opposed to being for the game. Baseball hats can be fitted, which is solid all the way around with some flex in them or can be adjustable. In 1860 the Baseball team Brooklyn Excelsior wore the first of what resembled today’s modern Baseball hat. In 1940 rubber latex was added to the inside of the hat to give it more structure than the previously unstructured Baseball caps. This gave rise to what we now know as the modern Baseball cap.
Hats have many features that are for both style and function. These can be important to know in choosing the right hat for your project. There are a few basic features found in any hat. They are Crown, Peak, Brim and hatband. The crown of the hat is the rounded main section of the hat that covers the head. We also refer to this as the bell. The peak or bill is the stiff portion of the hat coming off the front to shade the eyes. A brim is also a projection but it covers the circumference of the hat. You will find a brim in a fishing or sun hat. The sweatband is a band that runs around the circumference of the inside of the hat for comfort and protection against sweating.
Here is a Fedora hat.
As you can see hats have a long and rich history and are more popular than ever. While many hat styles are less formal than they used to be we feel that the options for hats are great. We carry brands from New Era, Port Authority, District Threads and Nike. Come see Outlet Shirts for all of your hat needs.