Heads Up! Check Out These 10 Weird Hats People Actually Wear

If you think grandma’s Sunday church hat looks weird, you haven’t seen weird yet. Weird hats can be found all throughout history and the world, and the more we looked, the more it seemed like they were trying to outdo one another.

And yes, we’re aware that some hats have religious or cultural significances but still, we can’t help but wonder what went on inside the mind of the people who designed these

Whether you’re just curious or you’re looking for new ways to help you stand out, we’re here to reveal to you some of the most eye-catching and weird hats around the world. Ready?

10 Weird Hats from Around the World Worn By Actual People

Some hats are for blocking the sun, some are to make a statement, and some are for everything in between. Let’s take a look at some of those.

1. Makarapa (South Africa)

Makarapas are hard hats with sports decals and embellishments that stick out from the top and sides. They are designed and worn by sports fans in South Africa to represent their teams and protect their heads.

The origin of the hat is unknown but several sources cited a man named Alfred Baloyi. He claims he invented them to protect himself after he saw an angry fan throw a bottle at another in a sports match.

2. Capuchon (Louisiana, United States)

For the record, there are plenty of weird cone-shaped hats found throughout history but one that is still worn today is the Capuchon. They are colorful cone-shaped hats worn by Cajun Mardi Gras goers in Louisiana.

The hats were fashioned after traditional French noble wear to mock the nobles who excluded the poor during this holiday. Festival goers wear these hats today to parade down the streets, and to eat and drink merrily.

3. Misango Hat (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

The Misango hat is worn by the nobility of the Yaka, Lunda, and the Pende people of Congo Africa. They are insignias of one’s status within the tribe.

The Misango is made out of beads, intricately woven into unique patterns. They also have two horn-shaped features on the sides, which are inspired by the horns of the buffalo mpakasa, the largest African bovine.

4. Fez (Morroco)

You’ve probably seen a Fez hat if you’ve watched Aladdin or any old movies featuring the Ottoman empire. They are covered in red velvet and resemble upside-down solo cups with a tassel sticking out at the top.

The history of the Fez is complicated but is thought to have political and status significance. Today, the Fez hat can be worn throughout Morroco, Cyprus, and several other countries in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and North Africa.

5. Fascinators (United Kingdom)

Turns out, there’s a word to describe all the silly hats that the British royalty wear to each other’s parties. They are called “Fascinators” and we think you can guess why.

Before the 1950s, it was considered unladylike for royal women to appear in court without covering their hair, thus, the emphasis on wearing hats. Today, however, these fascinators are more of a fun fashion piece for the royal ladies to compete against each other at social gatherings.

6. Montera (Spain)

The Montera is a black velvet hat lined with sheep fur and two bulbs on the side. The two bulbs are supposed to represent the horns of bulls.

The Montera is a style of hat worn by Spanish bullfighters, although they are not excluded to them. Normal men and women can also wear them throughout the Iberian region to keep themselves warm in the winter.

7. Conical Asian Hat (East and Southeast Asia)

You might be laughing but when they aren’t being made fun of in movies or being culturally misappropriated in gift shops, these conical Asian hats are actually quite practical in the burning sun. They are made out of bamboos and straws which makes them sun resistant and water resistant.

When it gets too hot, you can even dip them into the water for an ultra cooling sensation. Today, the hats are mostly worn by farmers throughout Asia but there are more formal variations of it worn only on special occasions.

8. Mayan Hat (Guatemala)

At first glance, the traditional Mayan hat appears to be a colorful wide-brimmed hat with many layers but if you look closely, you’ll notice it’s actually made out of meters of fabric, wrapped around the person’s head to form a brim.

To create the hat, the person starts with a long stretch of fabric, wraps it around their head tightly, and continues wrapping until there is no more fabric. They then take the ends and tie them together to hold it into place. The “hat” does not cover the top of the head but only shades the face when worn.

9. Isicholo Hat (South Africa)

The Isicholo is a straw and fabric hat, hand strewn by the Zulu women of South Africa. The top is wide and flat and the bottom is narrow where it fits onto the head.

The straw used for the hats are dyed into vibrant shades so it appears striking. From afar, it resembles an upside-down straw basket and it can be both worn and used as decoration.

10. Fulani (West Africa)

The Fulani is a conical shaped hat made out of plant fibers with leather trims and a few lines going around the hat. It originates from the cattle herding Fulani people of West Africa.

The hat is usually worn on top of a turban by both men and women. The hats are worn regularly as protection from the sun and also during celebrations by the men to attract women. Depending on how well made the hat is, they can also be seen as a sign of status and wealth.

No More Boring Hats

Now that you’ve read about all kinds of weird hats around the world, do you feel like your hat is a bit too boring now? If so, you can view here for some statement hast.

Or if you would like to learn more weird facts about fashion, people, places, and things, head on over to our website to learn more and impress your friends!

Weirdomatic is the place where all weird things come to life through the amazing world of photographs – a corner of our wild imagination or the whimsical face of the reality?