Hats, Hats, Everywhere…Even in our Speech!

Womens Hats have somehow made it into our everyday language!

Hats have been around for ages and have touched all segments of society. The popularity of hats have led to an amazing amount of expressions that include the word hat. To demonstrate we’ve put together a compostion centered around the word hat.Have you ever heard of edible hats?! Well if you have, “I’ll eat my hat”. Actually, I think I can think of some “at the drop of a hat”. How about the Hamantaschen? If you haven’t yet tasted this triangular filled cookie – you’ve been missing out. It’s a delicious cookie or pastry filled with any filling of your choice. The most typical ones are the chocolate or jelly, yet there are plenty more flavors that people have enjoyed tasting. This cookie is in the shape of a hat in remembrance to Haman’s hat. Now, I’m sure I can come up with another one or two but “I’ll keep those under my hat” and see what you can come up with! Gosh, I’m totally “talking through my hat”, I can’t think of any other edible hat although I could probably use my imagination and make some up if I had too. However, I’ll start to “pass the hat around” and collect some of your ideas; a penny for your thoughts! Now, don’t “throw your hat” at it just yet, give it a try and find the originality that lies within you! Alright, it doesn’t have to be the most brilliant idea or invention; it can be an “old hat” if that’s the only thing you can come up with. So, if your one of those that will give it a try “Hats off to you!!!”

It’s amazing how the word “HAT” made it into our vocabulary even when we’re talking nothing about a hat, head or even body! The only reason I can come up with is because hats are so comfortable to wear that we feel so comfortable just saying it whenever, however and to whoever! Plus there is a hat for every occasion, just think of womens hats, fedoras, caps, chaponnes and more. Obviously that is not the reason but I’m sure there’s a reason I just don’t know! Alright, you’re probably just edging to know what all those sayings on the first paragraph mean, so let me get to the point.

- I’ll eat my hat : I will be greatly surprised if (something that proves me wrong) happens

- At the drop of a hat : without hesitation or delay

- Keep (something) under one’s hat : to keep (something) a secret

- Talk through one’s hat : a. to talk foolishly b. to deceive, bluff or lie

- Pass the hat round : to collect something (usually money)

- Throw one’s hat : to give up

- Old hat : something stale, lame or old-fashioned

- Take off one’s hat : to admire or congratulate

- My hat: a. my word b. nonsense

- Out of a hat: a. by magic b. at random

The French Legend of the Beret

Where did the Beret originate?

It’s been around so long that it’s not really clear where the beret was first invented. In fact French legend gives credit to Noah for its creation. According to the legend Noah used wool to insulate the the ark. With all the animals trampling on it for 40 days and 40 nights it very rough and turned into a tough material or fabric. That fabric, according to the legend was felt. Noah then used that felt to make himself a cap – or the first felt beret!

There is another opinion that it was shepherds who first created the beret. Why shepherds? Because they wore these knitted wool hats outside every day and due to the weather conditions it swelled and became solid felt. And thus, they had a beret.

Most probably though, the beret originated in Greece 2,500 years ago. The Romans then adopted the beret and thought very highly of it. It became the style for man, woman and child. Berets were seen everywhere in Rome. So, therefore the beret is known as a Greek – Roman hat.

From 2,500 years ago the beret has definitely come a long way, here are some of the more popular uses berets have been put to since the 1900’s.

- In the early 1900’s berets were mostly worn by the French (in France). Of course, Belgians also wore them for France set the trend for them. In France and Belgium, berets were worn only by men, either for uniform or style. It was also worn by younger boys for style.

- In the 1920’s the womens beret became very popular in America for women and girls. It was designed and decorated in a more feminine manner and was a very fashionable head covering.

- In the 1930’s the beret was mostly worn by men and boys in France and Belgium. In America, it was now little boys who wore berets for style.

- In the 1940’s, the beret was adopted by many military groups and forces.

- In the1950’s, scouts outside of France decided to adopt the beret as a uniform hat. The beret made a great uniform hat for a scout for it was comfortable and sat on the head in any position. They also got the idea from the military. Since the military had adopted this hat for their uniform it was more of a prestigious hat. However, once the military and the scouts started wearing these in France, men and little boys were rarely seen wearing berets for style anymore.

So there you have it. The concise history of the beret. The beret continues to be a fashionable head covering for women to this day and Spring Trends 2012 will definately feature this versatile little womens hat!

Hats in the Workplace: The Toque (Part I)

The Toque - the Hat of the Chef

When you picture certain people you automatically dress them in a certain outfit or a specific uniform. Often you associate a Hat or Head Covering with the person as well. Here’s one – cook – what did you think of? Probably his/her tall white chefs hat was one of the first associations you had, no?

So, the big question is how did the chef hat, a tall white hat known as a toque come to be?

Well of course everything has a history. Yes, even a chef hat.

Word has it that even before the 7^th century chefs wore chef hats in order to make them look different than any other people working in the kitchen. Why? Because in those days lots of chefs used to try to poison the king and kill him. The king thought that if he made their job into a more prestigious job by giving them a hat that made them look different and sophisticated they might feel a little more highly of themselves and would never even consider doing such a lowly act.

Another reason which may have brought about the chef hat was that the man who cooked for King Henry VIII started having hair loss and his hair used to fall into the food being prepared for the king. The king therefore had him killed and declared that the next person to work in the kitchen should wear a hat.

Later, in the 1800’s a chef from France by the name of Marie- Antoine decided that a chef was really a prestigious job and decided to make the hat look a little more fashionable and elite looking. Also, at this time they were becoming more aware of cleanliness and basic hygiene so it was decreed that all chefs should wear hats to prevent sweat and hair from going into the food being prepared. He chose the color white since white is a clean color and displayed cleanliness and so is food in the kitchen (at least we hope). Now of course, there were different ranks and levels of people working in the kitchen. So they started making many hats in with different heights; the higher it was, the more prestigious the job.

Did you know that:

1.       The chef hat has 100 folds in order to symbolize the 100 ways to cook an egg.

2.       Marie- Antoine’s hat was 18” high (because he was the best chef) and had to be held up with cart board.

To this day, employees in kitchens wear head covers, hair nets or toques while involved it food preparation for hygenic reasons. I guess we should all thank Marie- Antoine or Henry VIII next time we are in a restaurant for that clear bowl of soup!!

Importance of Women’s Hats for Winter

Winter Hats and Chaponnes on MyHeadcoverings

Women’s hats come in so many different styles that choosing the kind that best suits your needs for the wintery weather may be a difficult task. There are some tricks to choosing that will keep you feeling warm and looking stylish during these cold months.

There are many fashionable, warm hats from which to choose. The first step in selecting the appropriate hat is to assess your area’s winter climate. Different regions require different headgear; women in the northeast US wear different hats than women in the northwest US. Your hairstyle also influences the type of hat you choose: will the hat cover short hair or will it need to accommodate different hairstyles?

When choosing a winter hat, it is important to also remember that the best winter hats cover your ears. If you have long hair, it may help protect your ears, but a hat that covers your ears will keep them even warmer and better insulated. Hats with ear flaps provide you with the option of leaving your ears covered or uncovered, which is a great option if the local winter temperature tends to fluctuate between freezing and cold. If you wear a hat that does not cover your ears, cover your ear by wrapping a head scarf around your head and then put on your hat.  

The right hat will protect your head without hampering your hairstyle or fashion sense.

Women’s Hats Protect Hairdos, Part II

Crochet Beret Hat

After you secure the front of your hair back with a head band or bobby pins, the next step is to tie up your hair ends. Scoop your hands around the back of your neck and through the sides of your hair to pull it all upwards. Create a loose ponytail on the top of your head. Twist the ponytail into a loose bun and secure it with another hair elastic or more bobby pins.

 

Now, you may put on your hat. Be sure that the hat sits evenly on your head, so that you do not look like you have a lumpy scalp. Once you arrive at your destination, complete your hairstyle. Release your hair from its confines, tip your hair upside down, and run your fingers through it to give it added volume. If you previously applied mousse to your hair, moisten your fingertips before you finger-comb it in order to reactivate the mousse. Use the appropriate products and hair accessories for women to complete your look.

 

Granted, this strategy only works if you have the time to do it when you get to your desired location. You also need to be comfortable getting ready in a public restroom, etc. And, you need to be organized: a do-it-yourself hairdo done outside your home will only be successful if you have the right hair accessories for women.