Hat Anatomy

To appreciate the design of a hat, it is helpful to look at its structure and basic components. The crown of the hat sits on top of your head above the brim. The bucket hat has an additional top piece. The brim of the hat is the horizontal part that extends from the crown and offers variable amounts of shade to the face, ears, and neck. It can be turned up or down, in the front and/or the back. Many hats have a decorative headband that wraps around the crown of the hat Grosgrain, leather, or a braided material make attractive headbands. The image illustrates a bias cut, self-fabric headband.

A visor is a brim projecting from the front of a cap. Stiffness is governed by the weight of interfacing sandwiched between the fabric of the visor and its underside. Some interfacing materials are Buckram, horse hair, and plastic canvas.

Hats may have a lining, often a satin material, that protects the hat from stains and sweat. The inner band or sweatband also protects the hat from sweat and allows for a comfortable fit. Some headbands are adjustable, like the one on the left. It is common to see headbands made from Petersham ribbon, a millinery grosgrain ribbon, as in the hat on the right.

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