Hats off! Millinery is the art of hat-making which has existed since ancient times. In the past, hats were considered as the most essential part of the dress. They were not just a fashion accessory, but also had etiquette value attached to them. During the Victorian period, a woman not wearing a hat was considered to be of low class because hats were considered the symbol of a good family background and status. So women and men would wear hats to look well-dressed. Over the years, the art of millinery has evolved with the taste of people, and the trends and traditions of different places. Hats serve as part of the uniform in schools, law enforcement agencies, industrial factories, sports, food preparation industries, etc., and also commonly used to shade one’s face from sun. Apart from that, they are traditionally used to complement the attire. However, as there are hundreds of types of hats worn around the world, it is impossible to write about all of them. Therefore, below are ‘some famous types’ of hats around the world. But first, let’s peek into those of Pakistan. Pakistan boasts a rich variety of arts and handicrafts traditions, etc., and each region of the country has its own distinctive headgear as the symbol of pride, grace and honour. There are numerous varieties of caps and turbans that are popular here, particularly in the rural areas. Popular caps around the world Karakul/Jinnah cap: Karakul is also called Jinnah cap because Quaid-i-Azam Mohmmad Ali Jinnah wore it frequently. It is made from the fur of Qaraqul, a breed of sheep. This triangular hat is part of the costume of the native people of Kabul. Pakol (Chitrali cap): This is a flat round cap with a little brim. It is made out of coarse woollen cloth, known as pattoo, and comes in white, black, brown, grey, and many other colours. It is widely worn in Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtoonkhuwa — and is considered an integral part of the Pashtuns. Sindhi cap: Sindh has a distinctive cap of its own. It comes in huge arrays of colours, with a variety of embroidery and glass work done on it. It is round, and cut from the front portion which exposes the centre of the forehead. Usually, the whole cap is covered with embroidery. The cap is a symbol of respect and honour and worn by both the poor and the rich, but the cap of the rich features delicate and intricate embroidery and can be expensive. It is regarded as the essential part of the culture. The similar type of cap is also worn in Balochistan, as well as by Pashtuns. Conical hat: Also called coolie and rice hat; this conical hat is designed in a way to protect one from sunrays as well as act as a shield against the rain. It is worn in east and south East Asian regions. Gat: This is worn with traditional Korean dress by men. The cap is made up from a mixture of bamboo and horsehair, and is usually black in colour. It is cylindrical in the middle and has an extremely wide brim. Gaungpaung: Originating from Burma, Gaungpaung is more of a turban than a cap. It is worn as standard headgear by many different tribes of the region; it comes in four major designs and every racial group is identified by the way in which they wear it. Balmoral: It is traditional Scottish hat that features a pompom on the top and a check band. Baseball cap: This cap is popular all around the world, as well as in our country, and it is worn informally anywhere especially by the youth when they are outdoors, in colleges, universities and especially on picnics when you have to cover your face from the sun rays. Beanie: Also known as a knit cap, skully or stocking cap; a popular choice in the winter as it keeps you warm very well. Beret: Associated with France, it is a round hat usually made of soft wool, with a bulging flat crown and a tight fitted headband without brim. Beaver/Top hat: Also known as magician’s hat, top hat, the cartoon character Uncle Sam is often shown wearing this cap. Abraham Lincoln was the first American to popularise the top hat and it later became popular among many men in the 19th and early 20th century. Boonie or bush cap: It normally features camouflage print fabric and has a soft cotton, wide brim. It is usually worn by military forces. Bowler hat: Also known as a ‘derby’ in the US, it is hard felt, with a rounded crown. Bucket or fishing hat: Popular among men and women as a casual soft cotton hat, with a wide downwards-slopping brim. Capuchon: This is a cone-shaped hat worn during a celebration in Cajun areas of south-western Louisiana. This conical party hat is commonly worn during birthday parties, decorated with vibrant colours. Cowboy: Very popular, high-crowned and wide-brimmed, it is a favourite with North Americans and gives a very masculine and macho impression of the wearer. Deerstalker: Remember Sherlock Holmes wearing a cap? Yes, the one he wore was deerstalker, warm close-fitting tweed cap designed for hunting in the wet and windy Scottish climate, with brims in front and behind, and ear flaps which can be tied together either over the crown or under the chin. Fedora: We all love Indiana Jones’ adventures and his love for his hat. No matter how dangerously he got trapped he always got hold of his hat — called Fedora. It is a soft felt hat with a medium brim and lengthwise crease in the crown. Fez: It is a felt hat of two types: either in the shape of a truncated cone made of red felt, or a short cylinder made of kilim fabric, both usually with a tassel attached to the top. This cap is believed to have originated during the days of the Ottoman Empire. Kepi: This is a French military cap. Newsboy/bakerboy cap: A casual-wear cap similar to ivy/flat cap. Panama hat: It is traditionally made using the Toquilla straw plant. Porkpie hat: It is part of the classic attire of American jazz and blues musicians. It has a short, indented top and sometimes has a band. Toque: A tall, brimless, cylindrical hat usually worn by chefs. Trapper: A fur hat that provides extra warmth with a fur in its interior and ear flaps. Trilby: Celebrities like Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake have popularised the trilby hat so much that youngsters love to wear such hats in parties.