Pompoms today make a fashion statement, but they have a long history of being more than decorative. Over the centuries, they have been used to distinguish regiment, rank, and role in military, naval and clerical settings. French sailors added them to their hats to prevent them from knocking their heads on low ceilings in rough waters. The word “pompom” is believed to have originated and been anglicized from the French “pompon” which means ornamental tuft or bobble.
Modern wearers of hats with pompoms include children and winter sports enthusiasts. If you’re out in the cold and wearing mittens, you can just tug on the pompom to remove your hat.
The pompom as a decorative element seems to be a matter of personal taste if you’re an adult. There are those who adore the addition of a pompom on a hat and those who find them frivolous. The pompom trending now is large and fluffy and typically made from yarn or from real or faux fur.
Hats by Tracy J 