What is a cocked hat?

Often in cinema, theater or literature you can see characters with a hat with three turned up brims. It is called a “cocked hat”. This headdress has become a symbol of an entire century and has its own characteristics.

What is a cocked hat?

A tricorne is a headdress whose brim is bent so that it forms three corners. This type of hat was most often found among military men and sailors. It appeared in the 17th century and was popular until the 18th century, after which it was replaced by the bicorne hat.

With the advent of large wigs, the cocked hat began to serve a decorative function among the civilian population. It was not even put on the head, but simply carried in the hands or under the elbow.

Meaning of the word. What is another name for a cocked hat?

The cocked hat is usually associated with a three-cornered hat. This is the famous headdress with which many military personnel adorned their heads. The hat has become a symbol of an entire century, gallantry, good manners. Many rules of etiquette are associated with a triangular hat.This symbol of respect was always removed to bow.

The word “cocked hat” was used by Leonid Massine for the title of the ballet. The plot of the story by Pedro Antonio de Alarcon was taken as a basis. Pablo Picasso was responsible for the artistic design.

Where does the term "cocked hat" appear:

• in literature, when describing outfits, sometimes they do not even have historical accuracy, it is simply an opportunity to emphasize the gallantry of men;
• in cinema in French films, films about pirates, military ones;
• in performances, plays, and productions, heroes of the 17th and 18th centuries are constantly dressed in traditional hats of that time.

Description of the headdress

A cocked hat is a hat with the brim turned up. This creates three angles. To get a stylish headdress, just raise and secure the brim of a wide-brimmed hat.

Features of using fabric:

• Initially, the material was black felt, and the felting technique was used when working;
• you can take coat wool;
• the main requirement for the material is lack of shine;
• for aristocrats, the hat was made of brocade and satin, depending on the material of the outfit;
• when working with thin fabric, take two layers;
• non-woven fabric can be replaced with bandeau-pro (this is a similar material, only much tougher).

The ordinary population tried to decorate the cocked hat in every possible way. For this, feathers, braid, fur and other decorative elements were used. Galun is a braid or ribbon in gold or silver shades. The ribbon was made of yarn and could be wrapped with a beautiful thread.

Historical reference

At the beginning of the 17th century, a wide-brimmed hat was used as a headdress. It was she who became part of the image of the main characters of the novel “The Three Musketeers”. But it was inconvenient to throw your head back and carry a gun on your shoulder.To correct this shortcoming, the military gradually tried to bend the edges. And so a completely new model appeared - the cocked hat.

In France, the three-cornered hat gained popularity during the reign of Louis XIV. Gradually, the fashion for this style spread throughout Europe. Initially, the headdress was part of the military uniform, but gradually the wardrobe of ordinary people was replenished with this thing. It was decorated with feathers and galloon. This continued until the advent of voluminous wigs. Then hats with bent corners were no longer needed.

Ordinary people wore a hat under their elbow. They used this attribute as an important element when bowing, describing with it various figures in the air. In the army, the cocked hat was used for a long time before the appearance of the double-cornered hat.

The size of the hat was quite impressive. The headdress was decorated with feathers, bows, galloon, braid. Over time, the decorations disappeared. The hat began to have a purely decorative purpose and began to be worn in the hands or under the elbow. Only military men and hunters wore the product on their heads.

Interesting! In the 18th century, girls wore a cocked hat. Men's and women's fashion began to actively converge, so the same things could be found in the wardrobes of representatives of both sexes.

The hat with three corners was not compact. It was replaced by a bicorne hat. It folded easily and took up little space. Now at ceremonial receptions there was no need to remove the headdress.

What does a cocked hat mean in Russia?

In Russia, cocked hats appeared at the end of the 17th century. The fashion lasted for almost a century. Then the three-cornered headdress was replaced with a two-cornered one. This happened during the reign of Catherine. The hat was considered part of the military uniform until the reign of Peter I.He felt that a hat with two corners was more comfortable.

What is it for?

The cocked hat is not just a fashion statement. The hat had a practical function. The headdress appeared among the military and there were reasons for this. At that time, everyone wore wide-brimmed items. And it turned out that when shooting from a gun, the fields interfere significantly. They can even cause injury.

Functions of the cocked hat:

• when shooting, the fields could cover the castle and all the sparks would be directed into the face, and when the edges are raised, such an outcome is excluded;
• When I threw my head back, the hat with three corners did not fall off.

Initially, only one side was folded. But for aesthetics, we decided to design the product symmetrically. At the same time, the wind evenly blew across the face. The only problem was the hair that was peeking out from under the hat. They could ignite when fired. To prevent this from happening, they began to use wigs. They were treated with special agents that not only protected them from fire, but also from lice.

The cocked hat and wig were considered part of the Fusiliers' uniform. The hat performed protective functions. Gradually it became an attribute of a real warrior who had definitely been in battle. But over time, the weapon was improved. It became safer, and uncomfortable wigs and hats were no longer necessary.

Interesting Facts

The fashion for cocked hats lasted for about a century. Interestingly, even when men stopped wearing a hat on their heads, they still held it in their hands. This style was loved by many aristocrats, rulers and influential people.

Interesting Facts:

• all his life Napoleon wore a hat of the same style - a black cocked hat without decorations;
• it is known that Napoleon changed more than 170 hats with folded edges throughout his life;
• because of the famous commander’s love for a certain style of hats, Russian confectioners made a triangle-shaped cake;
• For a long time, aristocrats wore a hat in their hands as a tribute to fashion, because voluminous wigs were on their heads back then;
• Cocked hats came into women's wardrobes thanks to riding suits, because they copied men's versions, only instead of pantaloons, ladies wore skirts;
• the size of the hat constantly changed depending on fashion: they could be quite voluminous or tiny (gradually the cocked hat became a small hair clip);
• Baron Munchausen's favorite hat was a cocked hat (a captain in the Russian service and a famous literary character).