24 Different Types of Hats to Know by Name (and Shop Too)

POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim
Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

Admit it: you hadn't heard the word "fascinator" before Princess Beatrice made a meme out of her bowed Philip Treacy at the Royal Wedding. That's OK — the world of headwear is much more complex than you'd think. Sure, we were familiarized at an early age with The Cat in the Hat, but what hat did that cat begat? After all, hats are defined as "a generic term for headwear that usually includes a crown and a brim," but that's just the tip of the iceberg. It's time to put away your grade-school knowledge of hats and get an expert education.

Panama

Panama

Originally made from the leaves of a tropical palm tree, this wide-brimmed hat is now made from strawlike material.

Hat Attack Panama Continental Hat ($120)

Cartwheel Hat

Cartwheel Hat

A hat with a low crown and wide, stiff brim.

Sophie Anderson "Corozon" Hat ($350)

Breton

Breton

A peaked boatman's cap originally worn by the Breton peasantry that has a brim that rolls up all the way around.

Brixton Fiddler Cap ($46)

Turban

Turban

A headdress with a long length of cotton or silk wound around a cap or the head.

Valentino printed silk-twill turban ($495)

Newsboy Cap

Newsboy Cap

A casual cap with a small stiff brim in front, which is also referred to as a Baker Boy, Apple Cap, Eight-Piece Cap, Eight Panel, Cabbie, Jay Gatsby, Fisherman's Cap, Pageboy, Applejack Hat, Lundberg Stetson, and Poor Boy Cap.

San Diego Hat Company Suede Newsboy Hat ($99)

Cowboy Hat

Cowboy Hat

A high-crowned, wide-brimmed hat best known as those worn by the North American cowboy.

Peter Grimm Maverick Straw Cowboy Hat ($36)

Bowler

Bowler

Also known as a derby hat, it is a stiff hat with a rounded crown, which was created in 1849 for the British politician Edward Coke.

Eugenia Kim Wool Bowler Hat ($80)

Trapper

Trapper

Also called an ushanka, this hat is a fur cap with ear flaps that can be tied up to the crown, or tied around the chin. Similar to an aviator hat, which is also known as a bomber hat, and often worn with goggles.

Urbancode Trapper Hat ($95)

Porkpie

Porkpie

A hat with a flat crown and a brim turned up all around.

Scala Wool Felt Porkpie Hat ($29)

Sombrero

Sombrero

Typically worn in Mexico and the Southwestern United States, this is a felt or straw hat with a broad brim.

Sombrero ($73)

Boater

Boater

A kind of formal Summer hat with a stiff, flat crown and brim. It is traditionally made of sennit straw and decorated with a grosgrain ribbon.

Hat Attack Raffia Braid Boater Hat ($98)

Baseball Hat

Baseball Hat

A soft cap with a rounded crown and stiff, projecting peak.

Smiley Face Baseball Hat ($29)

Pillbox

Pillbox

A round hat with upright sides, a flat top, and no brim.

Vixen Heart Shaped Pillbox Hat ($48)

Top Hat

Top Hat

A formal hat with a high, cylindrical crown.

Wool Felt Top Hat ($83)

Fascinator

Fascinator

A light headpiece that attaches to the head with a comb or clip and consists of decorative materials like feathers, flowers, or beads.

Asos Fascinator In Black ($51)

Beret

Beret

A round, flat cap made from felt or cloth.

ASOS Bow Beret ($19)

Fez

Fez

A flat-topped conical, red hat often with a black tassel on top. It was formerly the Turkish national headdress.

Fez Hat ($17)

Cloche

Cloche

A close-fitting hat that is bell-shaped.

Caslon Two Tone Straw Cloche ($39)

Homburg

Homburg

A stiff felt hat that has a narrow, slightly rolled brim and a rigid crease from front to back.

Homburg ($30)