Men's 18th Century Hats

When we think of men's hats during the Colonial Period and in the eighteenth century, we usually think of the tricorn. Although it may have been the most popular, men wore other styles of hats. For example, a farmer needed a hat that protected his face from the sun, and therefore tended to chose hats with a brim for outside work. Those with clerical positions often wore a hat with one end turned down but the others up.

18th c, clerical style hat at Hezekiah Alexander House, NC

Hats then were viewed as more of a necessity than we see them today, and boys as well as men wore them. One could choose hat making as a profession, and some hat makers became well-known for their work. The most famous ones were established in London, but American cities and towns had their own.

Colonial style hats at an Old Salem shop, NC

Of course, styles and materials for hats also varied as to the location. Those in warmer climates might wear different hats than those in colder ones. Men in the East, might dress differently than those on the frontier, too. No matter where they were, however, men in the eighteenth century would normally own at least one hat.

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