What Is Cloche Hat?

The cloche hat or simply cloche is a fitted, bell-shaped hat for women that was invented in 1908 by milliner Caroline Reboux. They were especially popular from about 1922 to 1933. Its name is derived from cloche, the French word for "bell".

What is the purpose of cloche hat?

In addition to attractively framing the face of the wearer, this offers phenomenal protection from the wind and cold, and because the hat is worn so low, even the relatively short brim of the cloche shields the eyes from the rain or the sun extremely well.

Why is it called a cloche hat?

Cloche means bell in French, and these hats were so named because they resembled large bells. They often were made of woolen felt. Women's hats of the early twentieth century were ornately decorated with deep crowns and wide brims.