The Historic Fedora
A hat has traditionally shielded the wearer from the weather and human aggression. The adoption of a hat conveys a social prestige that alters the impression made on observers. Today’s fedora hat can be worn as an expression of whimsy or as a statement of style. A fedora hat can be removed or put on for stylish dancing, club going, dining, and coffee house appearances.
American fashion for men and women has a place in its heart for the fedora hat. The black fedora hat is a mark of extreme style, drama, raciness, and theatrical style. A black fedora hat can be worn with informal wear in the modern era. Hollywood today might be a place where individuals of every type don a black fedora. The black fedora on men or women can be dressed up or down, and wearing one recalls classic eras gone by.
The fedora was born of a theatrical costume designer for the actress Sarah Bernhardt for a 1886 play. Bit In England the style was adopted as the Trilby. The American version of the fedora sports a wider brim, a deeper crown, and more “camp” usage in modern streetwear a propos of its long filicoutrial heritage. The fedora worn socially can show off an attractive face, or with a longer brim and worn pulled down or shield the wearer from close scrutiny.
Men were not as disposed as women to wear a hat to distinguish themselves from service positions, nor did they need a masculine edge to their clothing. Women adopted the fedora because it trained the eye upon the face and head, and complimented a costume without excessive hairdressing. The practical characteristics of the fedora were its lightweight feel and loose fit while allowing sunlight protection and portable cold weather insulation.
