Not so long ago, you’d never dream of stepping outside without a hat. You may as well go trouserless. This eccentric book laments the decline of hat-wearing and takes a look at some of the most iconic styles, with a particular focus on their place in British history.
Each short chapter begins with a photo of a hat and then explores its origins. Many of them have a ceremonial purpose. Many of them were invented for the military. There are some really fascinating bits of history, delivered in a light-hearted and easy-read way. I found the chapters on the Imperial State Crown, the bowler hat, the policeman’s helmet, plague doctor’s hat and tricorne to be the most fascinating. Most of the featured hats are traditionally worn by men, which I suppose is a reflection of the dominance of men in British history but I suspect also reflects the author’s interest. It’s not a serious history book but is ideal for dipping into and would make a good gift for a hat lover (which as I said before, does not seem to have a special word). There are a few dreadful typos though, the worst being a mention of Charles ‘Dickins’…
Published in 2020 by The History Press.
Leave a Reply