Wacky, Mad Mad World of California Hats

'Tis the Season of Hat Shopping -- Hats are Back!

All but two of the hat pictures shown come from California. Can you guess which hats don't belong? Welcome to the wacky, weird and mad, mad world of hats! One of the best places to buy crazy hats in California is Disneyland where you never know what you'll find. The hat designs change often but they're always over the top. Disneyland's hats range from around $8 to $50. You can shop at the Downtown Disney Store outside the theme park and park your car free for 3 hours.

Who doesn't wear a hat? Kids must wear helmets when they ride bicycles, motorcyclists wear helmets, athletes wear team hats, mail deliverers wear safari-style hats, beach-goers wear hats, skiers wear hats, church and synagogue-goers wear hats, food preparers in restaurants wear hats–surgeons wear hats, construction workers wear hats…you get the picture. Hats have been around at minimum 2,500 years but probably much longer. For those who want to delve into the history of hats, be sure to visit the Getty Villa to examine artifacts dating back to 550 B.C. You'll see what kind of hats people wore so long ago.

HAT CONSTRUCTION:

• Crown – part that covers head
• Visor or bill
• Brim
• Sweatband (sometimes adjustable band)

HAT EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA

Clovis Big Hat Days

San Francisco Easter Parade

HAT STYLES

• Fedoras for women–they're taller, wildly patterned or bright. They're fashion statements!
• Large sunhats–billowy and broad
• Visors — trying to make a comeback, we'll see what happens.
• Ball caps — never go out of style for guys, but the hot ticket designs depend on which baseball teams do well.