Wide brim hats are just one of the many fashion trends popular in the 1980s that have made an unanticipated comeback in recent years. Though these hats were very popular in the past, many people today may not remember them or understand why they were so popular in the first place.
A wide brim hat is a type of hat that has a brim that is significantly wider than the average hat. Men or women typically wore them to protect their faces from the sun, rain, snow, and dust in outdoor activities such as fishing and horseback riding.
However during the 1980s the wide brim hat became more of a fashion trend rather than a useful accessory. They were particularly popular among women, and 80s fashion icons from Molly Ringwald to Princess Diana were all fans of these hats and were photographed wearing them regularly.
So why were wide brim hats such a popular 80s fashion trend? Let’s go back and examine the origins of this popular fashion accessory and how it has evolved over time.
History Of Wide Brim Hats
Wearing hats dates back to 3200 BC, with the “Petasos Hat” being one of the first types of wide brim hats worn. In ancient Rome and Greece, women would wear wide-brimmed hats during festivals and important occasions. They were also worn to protect their skin from the sun while traveling. They were also worn by men and employed to convey military rank or social status, and some people still use them for this purpose today.
Throughout history, there have been various popular styles of wide brim hats such as the Outback Hat, Cowboy Hat, and Fedoras. However wide brim hats really became to the forefront of fashion during the 1980s with women flocking to them to look stylish during the summer heat.
Wide brim hats also became popular in the 1980s because they were seen as an elegant way to disguise bad hair days or cover up a bad haircut. They were particularly popular among women who added them to their ensemble for a more sophisticated look, and just like trucker hats for men, they were a quick fix for any hair situation you were having at the time.
The wide brim hat fashion trend was further popularized by celebrities and fashion icons in the 1980s. Popular celebrities like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Princess Diana, and Madonna were often seen sporting this popular 80s fashion trend.
Today, the wide brim hat is often worn with outfits as a nod to fashion trends of the past. Whether you’re at the beach or attending a red carpet event, you’re sure to spot a wide brim hat somewhere in the crowd.
Are Wide Brim Hats Still Popular?
Though not as popular as they once were in the 1980s, wide brim hats are still very stylish and can be seen today. They’re still seen as a great accessory to any outfit that can be worn at any time of day, and for a wide variety of occasions.
Today we still see celebrities like Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna wearing them, and their appearance in pop culture keeps this fashion trend around in contemporary circles.
In a nutshell, we still believe the future of wide brim hats is luminous. They’re making a comeback in movies and fashion shows, and we don’t expect their popularity to slow down any time soon.
So if you’re looking for something to help keep your head cool on sunny days while being fashionable, definitely consider a wide brim hat for your next outing!
