The bicorne hat, with a wide brim turned up on two sides, was popular in the 1700s and 1800s. It was part of military and civilian uniforms and associated with Napoleon Bonaparte. It can be made from various materials and is available for costumes or formal uniforms.
A bicorne is a style of hat that experienced great popularity in the 1700s and 1800s. This distinctive hat features a wide brim turned up to create a fan-shaped hat with two corners. The name “bicorne” actually means “two cornered.” Many people associate this type of hat with Napoleon Bonaparte, who routinely wore one as part of his uniform.
This hat design is believed to be descended from the tricorne, a cocked hat that appears to be of Spanish origin, in which a hat brim is folded over to create a triangular hat with three sharp corners. The bicorne is created by creating a wide-brimmed hat and turning the brim up on two sides. On some hats, the corners are also flared and shaped to add more to the ornamental design of the hat. Bicornes can be worn with badges, braids, and other embellishments, or left unadorned, depending on the setting.
Historically, bicorne hats were part of the uniform in many armies, and were also worn by some high-ranking civilian officials. The cocked hat, a relative of the bicorne, was also worn by some military men; Soldiers during the American Revolution, for example, wore such hats. The bicorne was also added to the formal uniforms of some universities and academic organizations, and is retained on formal uniforms in this context in some regions of the world.
The bicorne can be made from a variety of materials, including leather and felt. The hat is usually rigid to ensure that it will hold its shape, although some designs were historically intended to be folded so that gentlemen could tuck their hats under their arms when it was necessary to remove them. When worn as part of a uniform, the hat must be in good condition and in proper shape, which may require brushing, steaming, and other maintenance activities, depending on how often the hat is worn.
Versions of the bicorne hat designed for costumes are available from costume vendors and some hat shops. Formal uniform hats can usually be ordered through organizations that require them as part of their uniforms, although some milliners can also supply them on request. Before adding insignia or ornaments to a uniform bicorne, individuals should confirm that these additions will be accepted as part of the uniform, as there may be penalties for unauthorized additions.
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