Hats and caps are the most common headgear used by women. Let's take a closer look at these fashion accessories.

Hats usually have a high crown, and a wide brim. Primarily used to cover the head, women's hats have evolved as fashion accessories. Hats may also be used to make an individualistic style statement, to accentuate height, to protect against the weather, for political/religious reasons, as a uniform, or to simply attract attention!

Materials Used
Hats are made of different materials like:

• Leather
• Straw
• Felt
• Canvas
• Wool
• Fur

Types of Hats
The different kinds of hats that women are listed below:

• Trilby Hats are worn by women to make fashion statement. These hats have a crown which is deeply creased (lengthwise) around the center. A trilby is made of felt, and has a short brim that can be turned up and down. They are also known as fedora.
  
  
• Bonnets are hats which are usually made of straw or cloth. These hats come with attached ribbons. While wearing these hats, women tie the ribbons at the neck, so as to keep them in place.
  
  
• Conical Hats have tapering crowns that form the shape of a cone. These hats have become a popular fashion accessory with spectators who are exposed to sun rays for long hours.
  
  
• Panamas/ Panama Hats are made from the young, fresh leaves of the panama hat palm. They gained popularity while the Panama Canal was being constructed. Contrary to popular belief, genuine Panama hats are made in Ecuador.

History of Women's Hats
Way back in the Middle Ages (476 A.D - 1453 A.D), the Church decreed that women should cover their hair. Women obeyed. And the hat was born. Though the hat was born out of sheer necessity, it took a subtle turn towards fashion in the 16th century when milliners created hats from straw and felt.

The term 'milliner' refers to a person who makes hats. This term originated fro the fashion hub Milan (Italy), which was well known for its straw hats called 'Millaners'. Interestingly enough, in those times, making hats was considered a woman's profession.

By the 18th century, women's hats underwent a lot of changes in style, and the materials used. Hats and bonnets were made from straw, velvet, simulated straw hats made from paper and cardboard, grass, and tulle. Bonnets, besides covering the head of the wearer, sported a veil that prevented the wearer's face from coming in direct contact with the rays of the sun.

The bonnet was popular during the 1900s, when milliners experimented with different materials and styles. This was the first step towards the evolution of women's hats as a fashion accessory. Hats were adorned with flowers, ribbons, feathers, veils, and lace, while their brims were wider, and the crowns flatter. Hat pins were used to secure hats with large brims.

However, World War I saw a decline in the use of hats, and elaborate styles were frowned upon. Gradually, it came to be known as an accessory that was associated with the upper classes. The 1980s saw a revival of hats, especially with patronage from women who belonged to royal families, and their inclination to wear hats. Over the ages, hats have been used for a multitude of reasons besides being status symbols, protective headgear, and fashion statements.

How to Choose a Hat
Women should keep the three Cs in mind when choosing a hat.

• Comfort
• Color
• Contour

Comfort
Okay, so you just set your heart on a hat perfect for that evening do. But is it right for you? Try the hat on and feel the comfort quotient. If you feel confident, and the sits comfortably on your head, go for it!

Color
When choosing a hat, there are two things to be considered in terms of color.

• The color of the outfit to be worn with the hat should be taken into consideration while choosing a hat. If the color of the hat is of a different color than the outfit, it should complement the look of the outfit rather than posing a shocking contrast.
  
  
• Hats should be chosen in accordance with the skin color of the wearer. The color of the hat should flatter the skin tone of the individual wearing the hat. There are no specific guidelines here, except that people with dark skin should try and avoid wearing black hats.

Contour
Facial contour should be taken into account while choosing a hat. Tall women should avoid hats with tall crowns, and short women should choose hats with brims that are upturned at the sides (to give an impression of added height). Women with a small face should go in for small, dainty hats which hug the head. The brim of the hat should turn away from the face (upturned) and trimmings should be minimal. Large-faced women should avoid hats with tapering crowns.

The shape of a woman's face determines the hat she should wear.

• Oval face - soft crowns, asymmetrical trimmings, brimless hats.
• Round face - soft crowns, hats with the brim slightly upturned/rolled up on one side, hats with asymmetrical trimmings.
• Square face - semi-soft crowns, hats with drooping brims.
• Triangular face - soft crowns, drooping brims, fluffy trimmings.

Hats Care
Hats are delicate fashion accessories, and a little bit of care and caution will go a long way with them. Here's how to keep this piece of sophisticated headgear in a way that'll make people take their hats off to you!

• Hats should be stored in a cool, dry place.
  
  
• Hat boxes are ideal when storing hats for a long period of time.
  
  
• Hat stands are temporary storage solutions for hats with elaborate decorations/feathers.
  
  
• Hats should be placed upside down, with the crown opening up (except hats with elaborate decorations/feathers.
  
  
• Felt hats should be brushed occasionally in the counter-clockwise direction with a hat brush.
  
  
• Hats should not be stacked on top of each other as this leads to disfigurement of the crown.
  
  
• Wet hats should be made to dry naturally. Hair dryers should never be used to dry hats.
  
  
• Stained hats should always be handed over to professional hat cleaners.
  
  
• Hats should never be worn in the rain, unless they have been specifically designed for this purpose.
  
  
• Hats should be picked by the brim, and never by the crown.