Hat making is otherwise known as millenary design. A person in this field is usually called either a hatter or a milliner. The term “milliner” originated in London during the 1500s. Basic hats started off being made out of straw, accessorized with ribbons and feathers. Once hats started becoming more and more popular so did the diversity of styles of hats. New materials were being used such as silk, velvet, and felt. In the 18th and 19th centuries women typically wore bonnets decorated with lace and flowers. The more decadent the hat, the higher the status. Hats became so essential to women’s outfits that it was frowned upon to go outside without one. Beginning in the 50’s and 60’s, hats became more structured and modern. Larger structured hats typically have a wire frame. Ribbon is usually wrapped around the wire so that it isn’t visible. Extremely structured mad hatter type hats require fosshape which is a heat activated fabric that serves as a base and can mold to the head.
