History UsefulNotes / HatShop

* '''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_hat Campaign hat]]''': In the modern era, most commonly associated with [[DrillSergeantNasty drill instructors]] (more likely than not played by Creator/RLeeErmey). Also associated with Boy Scouts, [[CanadaEh Mounties]] in their dress uniforms (which are their ''only'' uniforms in fiction), park rangers, state troopers, and Smokey the Bear.

* '''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knit_cap Knit caps]]''' (or, as [[CanadaEh some people]] call them, '''Tuques''') indicate ''it's bloody cold''. Or you're a skater/punk, but only from TheNineties. A bright red one could mean you're Creator/JacquesCousteau.

** It also seems to be popular in [[CanadaEh Canada]] and the northern United States when it's really cold outside. (Think ''Film/{{Fargo}}''.) These may cross over with hunting caps (see above); the main difference is an ushanka has a fur-lined front flap usually turned up, while a hunting cap may instead have a baseball cap-like visor, but the difference isn't set in stone.

** Not to be confused with a face-concealing veil. The geographic connotations may overlap, but a headscarf with or without a face veil tends to just mean a religious Muslim woman, while a face veil worn on its own in fiction is generally given to the BellyDancer or BedlahBabe.

** Horizontally around head (bandana): [[DressedToPlunder Pirate]], [[GangBangers gang]] [[AllBikersAreHellsAngels member]], [[PrettyFlyForAWhiteGuy law-abiding teenager trying to look like a gang member]], [[WebVideo/AutoTuneTheNews Antoine Dodson]], or [[Franchise/MetalGear Solid Snake]].

* A '''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrolean_hat Tyrolean hat]]''', aka '''Bavarian''' or '''Alpine hat''', says "dedicated hiker." Or, when paired with lederhosen and suspenders, "yodeler," or, when paired with a bow and a quiverfull of arrows, RobinHood (though he's just as likely to wear a bycocket--which may be more historically plausible).

** UK sizing is calculated the same way as U.S. sizing, but subtracting an eighth from the final result. A U.S. 7 3/8 (the most common hat size for men) is a UK 7 1/4. This puts the hypothetical "size 0" at a head circumference greater than zero (a.k.a. "[[OffWithHisHead no head]]"), akin to the U.S./UK differences in floor numbers and shoe sizes; practically speaking, however, it just creates headaches for people who buy things on [[Website/EBay Internet auctions]].

# These rules may be freely ignored for the sake of RuleOfCool, as they always have been in fiction. And as noted above, always remember that like most rules humans come up with, ones involving etiquette [[WeAllLiveInAmerica are not universal]].

* A '''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_academic_cap Mortarboard]]''' says, "I'm graduating!" But don't assume that [[WeAllLiveInAmerica academic dress is the same everywhere]]. Do your homework.

** A peaked cap with an often-asymmetrical mortarboard-shaped crown is called a '''Rogatywka''', and has been the signature headwear of Poland, and has been worn by soldiers, railway workers, and firefighters in that country. There's usually a formal "hard" version for use with dress uniforms, and an informal "soft" version used for field or barracks dress.

* Plastic '''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_hat Hard hat]]''': an engineer (white) or construction worker (yellow).

* Plastic '''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_hat Hard hat]]''': an engineer (white) or construction worker.

*** Is it black? [[WidowWoman Sorry for your loss]].

** In Poland, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maciejowka_(cap) a similar cap]] with a plain leather visor is called a '''Maciejówka.''' Unlike the Lenin cap, it is most associated with the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_Legions_in_World_War_I Polish Legions]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B3zef_Pi%C5%82sudski their most famous officer]], Josef Piłsudski.

* '''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beanie_(seamed_cap)#Propeller_beanie Propeller beanie]]''': a {{nerd}} or {{geek}}. Was also a popular form of hazing for college freshmen, back in the day. The propeller doesn't actually allow you to fly unless you're Manga/{{Doraemon}}.

** Similarly, a black fedora or a '''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shtreimel Shtreimel]]''' (which looks like a big fur hockey puck), combined with curlicue sideburns and a beard, takes the Judaism UpToEleven. (In RealLife, most people who wear hats like these are part of a specific ultra-orthodox subsect called Hasidism. Don't expect the average writer to understand this, however.)

* '''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucket_hat Bucket hat]]''': A must for any fishing trip. Bonus points if there are fishing lures stuck into the crown for easy access. Used constantly instead of just for fishing, this style of hat can become an [[NiceHat iconic part of the character]]. For example, [[Series/GilligansIsland Gilligan]] or [[Manga/{{Bleach}} Kisuke Urahara]]. Or Creator/HunterSThompson (when he's not sporting his natural crown). Or [[Series/TheCloser Lt. Provenza]] [[Series/MajorCrimes at a crime scene.]] [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant But not]] Music/{{Buckethead}}.

Hats have [[StockCostumeTraits connotations]]. Especially [[NiceHat nice ones]]. Check out this page if you're looking to give your character a little extra ''something'' to make them stick out in the mind of your audience.

Hats have [[HollywoodDressCode connotations]]. Especially [[NiceHat nice ones]]. Check out this page if you're looking to give your character a little extra ''something'' to make them stick out in the mind of your audience.

* The '''[[CommissarCap Peaked cap]]''', aka '''visor cap''' or '''combination cap''', has several related meanings, according to the HollywoodDressCode.

## However, it may be kept on in an indoor public space, such as a a store, as long as your character doesn't work there (unless the hat is part of the uniform). If the space transitions from "public" (hotel lobby) to "private" (corridor on a room floor), one is expected to remove one's hat at that time.

## A hat is ''always'' removed in a restaurant, because it's bad manners to sit down to eat with a hat when indoors. (Picnics and cookouts are OK.)

* '''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucket_hat Bucket hat]]''': A must for any fishing trip. Bonus points if there are fishing lures stuck into the crown for easy access. Used constantly instead of just for fishing, this style of hat can become an [[NiceHat iconic part of the character]]. For example, [[Series/GilligansIsland Gilligan]] or [[Manga/{{Bleach}} Kisuke Urahara]]. Or Creator/HunterSThompson (when he's not [[BaldOfAwesome sporting his natural crown]]). Or [[Series/TheCloser Lt. Provenza]] [[Series/MajorCrimes at a crime scene.]] [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant But not]] Music/{{Buckethead}}.

** In modern times, a plain one is most likely to bring to mind a [[Franchise/TheSmurfs Smurf]].

* '''[[NonIndicativeName Panama]]'''[[labelnote:*]](authentic ones are made in Ecuador)[[/labelnote]] hats (made of straw with a very fine weave) in any significant number mean you're somewhere in the tropics. Or you want to be. Or you're [[Film/TheSilenceOfTheLambs Hannibal Lecter]], Film/CharlieChan, or [[Series/DoctorWho the Fifth Doctor]]. Can be combined with a Hawaiian shirt or light-colored suit for extra effect. In British works, stereotypical headgear for TheVicar.

*** In some countries it could also mean that they're a train driver, especially when steam engines were still in use (unlike a fabric top, the leather top wouldn't get burned by sparks from the engine's fire, or stained by grease or oil).

** In Germany (especially post-1950s), someone wearing a top hat is most likely either a chimney sweep or an apprentice tradesman.

** Horizontally around head (bandana): [[DressedToPlunder Pirate]], gang member, law-abiding teenager trying to look like a gang member, [[WebVideo/AutoTuneTheNews Antoine Dodson]], or [[Franchise/MetalGear Solid Snake]].

** Worn on top of the head going back from the hairline and tied under the chin or at the nape of the neck (kerchief) indicates a working woman, farm girl, or other female doing manual labor. If in more villainous or anti-heroic hands, then they are worn (often covering the mouth and/or nose) by thieves and bandits.