Hats also became protectors of modesty for women. Ironically, the inevitable adornment of these supposed veiling devices over time meant that they soon doubled up as signifiers of beauty. This is exemplified by the very British custom of wearing the now de rigeur fashion hat to outdoor events such as horse races and society weddings, with such hats often being very large and very ornate, perhaps recalling the image of a peacock or some exotic bird.
In today's world, hats do not figure as highly in the list of clothing priority as do, say, clothes. Hats are almost exclusively worn as fashion accessories, even by men. For example, fashion-conscious males may choose wear a fedora-type hat, or the ubiquitous baseball cap to accompany their more casual outfits – as hats with formal outfits generally signify some sort of important event. |