Headgear

http://archive.peruthisweek.com/blogs/travel/476

     Hats have been employed by almost every culture where people have heads.  We use em to keep off the sun and the rain as well.  They keep us from getting too cold and serve as handy status symbols (both social and military).  Some are used in religious rituals and others provide simple protection from getting thumped.  Materials range from straw, to fur, to felt, and beyond.  Granted, not every material is suited to every style of hat, but you work with what you've got.Yes, yes, hooded cloaks are very dramatic, but there is so much more to the world of head coverings than that.  No, I'm not talking about helmets, though more fantasy characters should be wearing those too (this ain't the movies kids, we can imagine your characters' faces just fine).  What I'm talking about is a good old fashioned hat.
    Head coverings can provide a shorthand for society and story writer.  You know a British police officer when you see his helmet bobbing above the crowd.  A man in a tam probably connects himself to a certain history.  Similarly, a kepi or a shako has a distinct martial flare.  Big furry caps, coming down over the ears, provide an entirely different image.  Didn't they used to make college freshmen wear beanies?  You get what I'm saying here.
    Maybe I'm biased, since I grew up loving hats and wearing them (my grandpop used to work in the Stetson factory and always wore em, so i stole his), but they really should more prevalent in Fantasy.  They can be entirely utilitarian or they can grant a touch of flare.  Nothing wrong with giving your character an ostentatious plume, but don't neglect to adorn others in your stories with more subdued head coverings.  Ladies can get in on this too, even if they're just headscarves or those pointy princess hats.  I want to bring em back people.  Hats for everyone.



Wiki (pics of various traditional and ethnic styles) - http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hat