Headwear is probably as old as clothing. Both warm and shielding from the sun and weather argue for the creation of primitive headwear from an early point. We do not have a lot of information on headwear, but ancient sculpture suggests from very destinctive styles. Although artistic and sculptural works rarely depict children wearing headwear. Curiously given the heat of the sun, Egypt was a rare ancient culture where headwear does not seem importanht. This is strange for a country where the sun can be oppressive. The ancient Greek wore hats called the petasos and the pilos. They could be hung round the neck with a string to prevent losing them in the wind. These hats were worn by the Romans and into the Middle Ages. We do not know at this time of headwear that was specifically worn by children either in ancient or medieval times, but our information on ancient and medieval dress is still quite limited. As best we can tell, children wore headwear similar to that worn by their parents. Here status confering headwear may have age differences. Hoods in the ancient world were worn as a practical cold weather head covering. The Romans wore the cucullus which was later adopted by medieval monastic orders. The hood was also worn as a secular garment in Medieval Europe. The tri-corner hat was the standard headwear during the 18th century. We see more varied styles in the 19th century. Hats were the most common headerar, but we do begin to see caps, especially in the second half of the century. And because of the invention of photography, we can follow this in some detail. It is only in the 19th century that we begin to see headwear specifically made for children. And some styles were quite impressive. Wide-brimed sailor hats were popular for younger boys and boaters for older boys. A good example of hat styles are the hats worn by the Clark boys in 1897. Caps became increasingly popular in the late-19th century and became the dominant style for boys in the 20th century. Although in the early-20th century, older teenagers often switched to hats. This caried from country to country over time. Some styles are iconic, berets (France), flat caps (America), and school caos (England). Headwear in general became much less common after World War II, especially in the 1960s. You almost never see children wearing hats anymore. But caps are worn. The Aerican baseball cap became a popular style.

Pre-history

Headwear is probably as old as clothing. Both warm and shielding from the sun and weather argue for the creation of primitive headwear from an early point.

Ancient Era

We do not have a lot of information on headwear, but ancient sculpture suggests from very destinctive styles. Although artistic and sculptural works rarely depict children wearing headwear. Curiously given the heat of the sun, Egypt was a rare ancient culture where headwear does not seem importanht. This is strange for a country where the sun can be oppressive. The ancient Greek wore hats called the petasos and the pilos. They could be hung round the neck with a string to prevent losing them in the wind. These hats were worn by the Romans and into the Middle Ages.

Meieval Era

We do not know at this time of headwear that was specifically worn by children either in ancient or medieval times, but our information on ancient and medieval dress is still quite limited. As best we can tell, children wore headwear similar to that worn by their parents. Here status confering headwear may have age differences. Hoods in the ancient world were worn as a practical cold weather head covering. The Romans wore the cucullus which was later adopted by medieval monastic orders. The hood was also worn as a secular garment in Medieval Europe.

Figure 1.--Here we see a tin-type of a young American family, we think in the 1900s. Here we not only see the wide-brimmed hats the boys are wearing as well as hats their parents are wearing.

Modern Era

We see a wide variety of headwear in the modern era, changing chronologically over time and varying from country to country. There were also notable social class differences over time. The tri-corner hat was the standard headwear during the 18th century. We see more varied styles in the 19th century. Hats were the most common headerar, but we do begin to see caps, especially in the second half of the century. And because of the invention of photography, we can follow this in some detail. It is only in the 19th century that we begin to see headwear specifically made for children. And some styles were quite impressive. Wide-brimed sailor hats were popular for younger boys. Yoonher boys wore them with Little Lord Fauntleroy suits. More common were a range of different sailor caps. And there were boaters boaters for older boys. A good example of hat styles isthe headwear wotn by the Clark boys (1897). By this time caps were becoming even more popular for boys, but hatsere still common. Caps had been necoming increasingly popular in the late-19th century and became the dominant style for boys in the 20th century. Although in the early-20th century, older teenagers often switched to hats. This caried from country to country over time. Some styles are iconic, berets (France), flat caps (America), and school caos (England). Headwear in general became much less common after World War II, especially in the 1960s. You almost never see children wearing hats anymore. But caps are worn. The American baseball cap became a popular style.

Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web chronological pages:
[The 1880s] [The 1890s] [The 1900s] [The 1910s] [The 1920s] [The 1930s]
[The 1940s] [The 1950s] [The 1960s]
[The 1970s] [The 1980s]

Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web style pages:
[Youth group headwear] [School uniform] [Kilts] [National styles] [Fauntleroy suits] [Sailor suits] [Sailor hats]

Created: 4:02 PM 9/9/2004
Last updated: 4:27 AM 8/26/2015