REPORT


Cardinal


wearing a mitre during Easter Vigil service at Westminster Cathedral, London, UK


Christian Headwear


The key reference source for Christian religious head coverings comes from the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 11:4-5, Saint Paul says: “Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head. [...] And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head.” This may partly explain why men remove their hats when they enter a church, while women keep their hats on.


Cardinals wearing a biretta (left) and zucchettos (right)


during the Ordinary Public Consistory in St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City


Roman Catholic As may be expected, the pope, as head of the Roman Catholic Church, has a range of headwear, from dramatic golden-threaded mitres through to simple pieces such as a white baseball cap. One of the most distinctive papal headdresses is the mitre, which seemed to be a favourite of Pope Benedict XVI. He was also known to wear the camauro, which has been likened to a Santa Claus hat without the tail. In addition, he could characteristically be seen wearing a red biretta, a red straw galero or saturno, a white straw fedora and, as was most common, a mid-sized skullcap known as the zucchetto.


Protestant Many followers of Protestant sects, even among the clergy, no longer wear hats, either in daily life or on special occasions. However, for some sects, including Anabaptist denominations like the Amish or Mennonites, head coverings are part of daily dress.


Anabaptist Men Hats are worn by the Amish and Mennonites so prayers can be done throughout the day, as a hat must be worn while praying. Amish and Mennonite men generally wear two types of hats. The warm weather hat worn from spring to autumn is the simple straw hat; they also wear a simple black felt or fur round crown and flat brim style in the winter for warmth.


Anabaptist Women Amish women all wear a kind of bonnet called a kapp, although the different groups have different styles. Amish hats also function as an indicator of social status: young girls wear black bonnets, while married women wear white. Married women will wear a warmer black bonnet often quilted over their usual head covering during the winter.


Amish woman with a kapp at popcorn shop in Indiana, USA


Amish man with straw hat in Gordonville, USA


Amish man with felt hat in Toronto, Canada


Amish women wearing


winter bonnets


50 | the hat magazine #99


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