Jetting off on an adventure again? Exploring the local wonders? Meeting new people, trying new foods, buying new… hats? Great! As with the good old music festival, where there are an abundance of funky hats from around the world for sale and travelling takes you to the genuine articles. Hats are just one of those things that people seem to gravitate toward during their travels. Perhaps it’s that hats are so country specific. Think of any country in the world off the top of your head (sorry) and you can probably think of a hat some people in that country wear. Let’s take a look at just a few of the great hats of the world.

Europe

First up the Russian hat or Ushanka. The Ushanka is a thick fur hat with ear-flaps. Fur hats with ear-flaps have been worn for centuries not only in Russia, but in Scandinavia and even in the cold parts of Asia. But the standardised type with a flat top worn in Russia, however, is a thing of the last century to the present day.

The French gave us the beret, but aside from that many of the traditional western European hats are not worn today.

The people of Britain have traditionally had an array of hats – from the humble straw hat to the pork pie, flat cap, trilby, bowler and in Scotland the tam – a tartan affair with a bobble on the top. Traditional hats come in and out of fashion, but the top hat is definitely old hat – unless you’re at a fancy dress party.

Africa

In Africa we find cylindrical hats. In the west they are kufi, and in the east, kofia. The kofia traditionally has tiny holes in it so that the wearer doesn’t get too hot. Another, perhaps more well known hat here is the Fez – a simple hat which has a black tassel on the top which cascades down one side.

North America

The Native American head-dress was what was worn in North America before the Europeans arrived, bringing with them the cowboy hat and sombrero. But it seems only the central and southern states in the USA actually wear the cowboy hat now, and lots of Mexicans don’t wear the sombrero. Most people would probably consider the baseball cap the USA’s hat.

South America

Aside from the Panama hat, and the tango hat, the Peruvian hat is what many will think of as South America’s. Often made from warm Alpaca wool, this hat has ear-flaps and sometimes tassels that hang down from these earflaps.

Asia

The conical hat is prevalent in East and South East Asia. An ingenious design, it keeps the sun out of the wearer’s eyes while being cool, as it is usually made of straw.

Australia

It’s unlikely you’ll ever see an Aussie wearing a hat with corks hanging from the brim, although hats with nets attached to cover the face are recommended if you’re going to see Uluru – the amount of flies there is phenomenal.