The tricorne hat was popular in 17th and 18th century Europe, originally used by soldiers to keep rain off their faces. It became a fashion trend, often gilded with decorations, and was associated with King Louis XIV. It went out of style around the time of the French Revolution but is still visible in modern America, used in historical re-enactments and pirate depictions. It is unlikely to return to conventional fashion but remains a fixture in prop closets and recreation communities.
A tricorne is a type of hat that was popular in the 17th and 18th centuries on the European continent. It has made its way into the modern fashion lexicon through the popularity of historical re-enactments and its unique look. The use of this hat developed in areas of Europe and found its way into early American fashion.
Originally, according to historical reports, this type of hat was used by Spanish and French soldiers who adapted wide-brimmed hats into tricornes to keep the rain off their faces. The tricorne was progressively used in civil society as a fashion trend. Part of the popularity of the type of hat is generally attributed to King Louis XIV of France, who ruled from 1643-1715, and was known as the “Sun King.”
Tricorne hats were often gilded with various decorations to show wealth or power. This style of hat apparently went out of style around the time of the French Revolution. Through the founding fathers and others making their way to the New World, however, the cocked hat became fashionable in America as well.
The tricorne hat is still visible today in modern America and other nations. In the United States, it is used in some types of historical re-enactments, such as tourist attractions around original American cities such as Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg. The three-cornered hat is part of what gives a historical simulation a sense of visual authenticity, as it is instantly recognizable and associated with a specific time period, alongside less dated gear such as long-buttoned coats and vests. .
Another popular modern interpretation of the tricorne hat refers to the depiction of the traditional maritime pirate imagery of the time. These hats have been appropriated for many different drawings and other representations of a pirate’s dress and appearance, even if some of these imaginings were not particularly realistic. From restaurant menus to Halloween costumes, the tricorne survives as a cultural-historical symbol from earlier Western societies.
The very precise associations of the tricorne make it unlikely that the hat will return to true “fashion” in the conventional sense. Modern fashion experts see this type of hat as a good example of an item that can illustrate a “postmodern” fashion, where the ironic or dissonant can be adopted for purposes related to the human sense of the absurd, or for “shock” value. “It has generated a lot of attention in popular entertainment. Still, the tricorne remains a familiar fixture in prop closets and in the theater and recreation communities.
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