Fall Hat Month
September 1 - September 30
About Fall Hat Month
Fall Hat Month takes place throughout September each year, marking the seasonal switch from light summer straws to warmer felt and fabric headwear. The observance was created by the Headwear Information Bureau, a millinery promotion body founded in 1989, to remind people that as the weather cools, felt and fabric hats offer better protection and warmth. It is a light-hearted celebration of one of the oldest accessories in human history.
How to Celebrate Fall Hat Month
September is the ideal time to refresh your headwear and rediscover the joy of a good hat. Here are eight ways to take part:
- Pack away your summer straws – Following the long-standing custom of swapping straw for felt around Labor Day, retire your sun hats and bring your autumn styles to the front of the wardrobe.
- Invest in a quality felt hat – A well-made wool or fur-felt fedora, trilby or cloche can last for years. Visit a specialist milliner or hat shop and ask about fit and care.
- Learn the basics of millinery – Try a hat-making workshop or watch a tutorial online. Felt blocking and trimming are satisfying crafts with centuries of heritage behind them.
- Host a hat party – Invite friends to dress up in their finest headwear, from flat caps to wide-brimmed felts, and award prizes for the most creative choice.
- Support independent hat makers – Buy from a local milliner or small workshop rather than mass-market retailers to keep traditional skills alive.
- Care for the hats you own – Brush felt regularly, store hats on a shelf or stand rather than crushing them, and reshape any that have lost their form.
- Wear a hat every day – Challenge yourself to wear a different hat each day of the month and note how it changes the way you feel and how others respond.
- Share your collection online – Post photographs of your favourite autumn hats and tag friends to encourage them to join in the celebration.
What is Fall Hat Month?
Fall Hat Month is an annual observance held every September in the United States that celebrates the autumn transition in headwear. It encourages people to set aside lightweight summer hats in favour of felt and fabric styles better suited to cooler conditions. The celebration appeals to fashion enthusiasts, hat collectors and anyone who enjoys a practical accessory with a long history. It is one of several hat-related observances promoted by the millinery trade.
When is Fall Hat Month?
Fall Hat Month runs for the whole of September, beginning on Tuesday, 1 September 2026 and ending on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. It is a fixed observance, falling in the same month every year to coincide with the change of season from summer into autumn.
The History of Fall Hat Month
Hats are among the oldest items of clothing, and the observance draws on that deep heritage. In ancient times, hats signalled rank and status, with figures in Egyptian sculpture, Chinese drawings and Greek and Roman coins frequently depicted wearing headwear that marked their place in the social hierarchy. By the seventeenth century, hats had become everyday attire across much of the world.
Felt itself is thought to be one of the oldest textiles known to humanity. Long before people learned to spin yarn, they discovered that animal fibres matted together when warm and damp, producing a dense, weatherproof material. That same felt would later be used to make the first cowboy hats, including the famous Boss of the Plains, manufactured by John B. Stetson in 1865.
Fall Hat Month was created by the Headwear Information Bureau, founded in 1989 to promote hat making through public relations campaigns and contests. The Bureau established a calendar of hat observances, including National Straw Hat Month in spring and Fall Hat Month in September, to encourage people to update their headwear with the changing seasons. The September celebration reflects the long-held convention of wearing felt hats between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
Fun Facts About Fall Hat Month
- The Headwear Information Bureau, which created the observance, was founded in 1989 to promote the millinery trade.
- Felt is widely regarded as the oldest textile material, predating both weaving and spun yarn.
- The first manufactured cowboy hat, the Boss of the Plains, was made by John B. Stetson in 1865.
- In 1920s America, social custom was so strict that wearing a straw hat after mid-September could attract ridicule or worse.
- It has long been customary to wear felt hats between Labor Day and Memorial Day, with straws reserved for the warmer months in between.
- Hats once served as clear markers of social rank, depicted on coins and sculptures across ancient Egypt, China, Greece and Rome.
Why Fall Hat Month Matters
Beyond the fun of dressing up, Fall Hat Month supports a traditional craft that has sustained skilled makers for generations. Choosing a quality felt hat is also practical, offering warmth and protection as the weather turns. The observance keeps an old custom alive and gives independent milliners a welcome moment in the spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fall Hat Month?
Fall Hat Month is an annual September observance celebrating the seasonal switch to felt and fabric hats. It was created by the Headwear Information Bureau to promote hat making and encourage people to update their headwear for autumn.
When is Fall Hat Month in 2026?
Fall Hat Month covers the entire month of September, running from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
Why do people switch from straw to felt hats in autumn?
Felt hats are warmer and more weatherproof than lightweight straws, making them better suited to cooler conditions. The tradition of swapping straw for felt around Labor Day has been observed for over a century.
Spread the Word
Show off your autumn headwear and encourage others to join in by sharing your photographs on social media with #FallHatMonth and #FallHatMonth2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to dust off their favourite felt hat for the season.
Related Awareness Days
- National Seersucker Day – Another celebration of seasonal fashion, marking the lightweight summer fabric that felt hats eventually replace.
- National Outlet Shopping Day – A perfect chance to find a new felt hat at a bargain price as autumn arrives.
- National Love Your Skin Day – A reminder that a good hat also protects your skin from the elements all year round.
Links
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