Hats have served many purposes throughout history, whether that be protection, status, religious expression, or fashion. But sometimes, hat designers take things to another level entirely. The result? Eccentric hats that amuse, or even inspire. Whether it’s high society flair or a downright weird design, these hats have turned heads across the centuries. Here are 10 eccentric hats that pushed the boundaries of what headwear can be, from the extravagant to the completely bizarre.
10. Queen Elizabeth I’s Feathered Headdress
Queen Elizabeth I often wore lavish, jewel-encrusted hats and headdresses, but one of the most eye-catching included towering feathers and pearls woven into golden netting. These dramatic pieces were designed to showcase her wealth, power, and divine right to rule.
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9. Napoleon’s Bicorne Hat
Napoleon Bonaparte famously wore his bicorne hat sideways, unlike most military officers of the time who wore it front-to-back. This distinctive silhouette became synonymous with his image. Several of his original hats still exist and have sold for hundreds of thousands at auction. While functional in its era, the sideways look has since become one of history’s most eccentric hats.
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8. Dali’s Shoe Hat
Surrealist designer Elsa Schiaparelli collaborated with Salvador Dalí to create a hat shaped like a high-heeled shoe. Meant as a commentary on absurdity and beauty, the hat was worn backwards, with the heel jutting forward from the forehead. It’s one of the earliest examples of fashion embracing full-on surrealism.
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7. The Fascinator
At royal weddings and British horse races like Ascot, fascinators, which are small headpieces, became a staple. Some evolved into absurd shapes with feathers, netting, or abstract designs that looked like modern sculpture. Princess Beatrice’s pretzel-shaped fascinator at the 2011 royal wedding is still debated to this day.
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6. Lady Gaga’s Telephone Hat
Known for redefining outrageous fashion, Lady Gaga wore a functioning rotary telephone as a hat during her 2010 “Telephone” music video promotion. Designed by milliner Philip Treacy, the hat became an instant viral moment and one of her most memorable fashion statements.
5. Carmen Miranda’s Fruit Hat
Singer and actress Carmen Miranda popularized tropical glamour with her vibrant costumes, but her hat was the real show-stealer. Piled high with bananas, grapes, and pineapples, her hat became iconic, leading to countless imitations and securing her a standout spot in the eccentric hats that left a pop culture legacy.
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4. The Tall Chef’s Toque
You may not think of the traditional chef’s hat as strange, but when you realize that some chefs historically wore toques as tall as 18 inches, it starts to feel pretty excessive. The height was meant to reflect seniority in the kitchen, with the tallest hat symbolizing the highest rank.
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3. Issey Miyake’s Origami Hat
Fashion designer Issey Miyake took a sculptural approach to headwear with his origami-inspired pleated hats. These futuristic pieces looked like wearable architecture, as they often folded into angular or spiral shapes that defied expectations. Rare today, they’re collector favorites and a high-fashion example of truly eccentric hats.
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2. Beefeater’s Tudor Bonnet
The iconic Yeomen Warders of the Tower of London, also known as Beefeaters, wear one of the most recognizable and unique hats in the world. The Tudor bonnet, with its exaggerated, flat top and thick, circular base, dates back to the 15th century.
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1. Marie Antoinette’s Ship Hat
One of the most legendary eccentric hats in fashion history belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette. Her towering powdered wig often featured elaborate decorations, but in 1778 she took it to a whole new level by wearing a full model ship perched atop her head to celebrate a French naval victory.
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