Figure 1.--Here is a wonderful image of English children enjoging a circular pedal rideattraction at a fair or resort somewhere in Englnd during 1904. Notice how everyone is dressed up for the event and the wide-brimmed hats gor the boys and fancy hats the girls are wearing. Put your cursor on the image to see the rest of the attraction.

Hats at one time were a required part of dress for men women and childre. This was not only in England, but other countries as well. Styles and conventions have changed over time. We notice three-corner hats in the 18th century. It was the most characteristic style. Boys and men wore the same hats. We see several types of hats in the 19th century, some of which continued to be worn in the early-20th century. We notice boaters, bowlers, rounded-crown hats, broad-brimmed sailor hats, and top hats. At mid-century with photogaphy we begin to learn a great deal about these hats. The 19th century styles mostly disappeared after World War I as more informal styles became popular. We see bowlers, top hats, and wide-brimmed sailor hats in the early-20th century, but we no longer see them after the War. Here there were social class differences which gradually declined after the War. Sailor hats were especially well knon, but not worn by all boys. They were also worn by girl, but were more common with boys. We continue to see boaters, but mostly at private schools. Caps increasingly replaced hats. The major hat we see see after World War I are sun hats. Then after World War II, headwear in general declined in popularity, but especially hats. We see caps in the late-20th century, but rarely hats. The only hat we commonly see are sun hats, primarily worn during the summer. This continue to be the case in the 21st century.

The 18th Century

Hats at one time were a required part of dress for men women and childre. This was not only in England, but other countries as well. Styles and conventions have changed over time. We notice three-corner hats in the 18th century. It was the most characteristic style. Boys and men wore the same hats.

The 19th Century

We see several types of hats in the 19th century. Our infirmation on the early=19 century is limited, but we have found some paintimgs showing children wiyth hats. We notice the Bean boy (1829) and Henry Elton (1831). These boys came from wealthy families. Both wear high quality straw hats, problably originating in Ecuador, but they may have been shipped through Pamama. Some of the 19th century styles continued to be worn in the early-20th century. We notice boaters, bowlers (which were mrketed in South America), rounded-crown hats, broad-brimmed sailor hats, and top hats. At mid-century with photogaphy we begin to learn a great deal about these hats bdcause there sare msnu more images available.

The 20th Century

The 19th century styles mostly disappeared after World War I as more informal styles became popular. We see bowlers, top hats, and wide-brimmed sailor hats in the early-20th century, but we no longer see them after the War. Here there were social class differences which gradually declined after the War. Sailor hats were especially well knon, but not worn by all boys. They were also worn by girl, but were more common with boys. We continue to see boaters, but mostly at private schools. Caps increasingly replaced hats. The major hat we see see after World War I are sun hats. Then after World War II, headwear in general declined in popularity, but especially hats. We see caps in the late-20th century, but rarely hats. The only hat we commonly see are sun hats, primarily worn during the summer.

The 21st Century

The geberal disappearce of hats continues to be the case in the 21st century.

Created: 8:37 AM 8/4/2016
Last updated: 5:48 PM 9/26/2021