The term “bowler hat” can refer to various hat shapes, including those with a wide, drooping brim and those with a mushroom-shaped crown. The style has changed over time, with mushroom hats now having a narrower brim or no brim at all. The term can also describe trimmings on any type of hat, including those with mushroom appliqués. Additionally, there are versions of the bowler hat made from mushrooms themselves.
The term “bowler hat” loosely describes any bowler-shaped hat. However, just as there are many varieties of mushrooms, the name bowler hat can be used to describe several different shapes of hats. The mushroom style can be derived from the rim shape, the crown shape, or some combination of both. The meaning of the bowler hat has changed over time as fashion trends have waxed and waned, but there are two basic shapes that are most often referred to as bowler hats: those with a wide, drooping brim, and those with a mushroom-shaped crown.
In the early to mid-20th century, when hats were a must-have accessory for any woman of fashion, mushroom hats had a wide, flat brim that fell over the face. They were somewhat reminiscent of the traditional Asian coolie hats worn in rice paddies. However, they generally fit closer to the head at the crown and do not include the chin point or strap found on coolie hats. Audrey Hepburn wore this popular style of hat in the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
In more recent fashion trends, mushroom hats tend to have a narrower brim or no brim at all. Instead, the shape of the mushroom refers to the crown; This is accomplished by adding padding or gathering to the top of the hat, forming a somewhat puffy crown. In particular, toddler bowler hats resemble berets, but with a smaller crown that sits slightly higher on the head than a beret. The general shape is somewhat like a chef’s hat, but with a much lower crown. Infant hats and knit skull caps are also sometimes known as mushroom hats, because they give the general shape of a small mushroom when perched on the baby’s head.
Additionally, the term “bowler hat” can describe the trimmings used on any type of hat. Baby sock caps are sometimes trimmed with mushroom appliqués or have a mushroom design woven into the fabric. Baseball caps can also be embellished with screen-printed mushroom designs; This type of design in more recent popular culture often signifies or references the variety of hallucinogenic plants commonly called “magic mushrooms.”
Another commonly available version of the bowler hat comes from the popular children’s video game Super Mario Bros. Variations of this hat are actual replicas of the red and white bowler hat found throughout the game. Typically made of cloth in sizes ranging from infant to adult, this hat is worn as a whimsical novelty or as part of a costume.
The term bowler hat can also describe hats that are actually made of mushrooms. A cloth-like material can be derived from the careful processing of mushroom parts, and then fashioned into any number of hat shapes. The resulting hat has the appearance of a soft velvet or fur hat with a golden hue. These hats are most commonly found in Europe, particularly in countries with Bavarian history and traditions.
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