Hats off to the Victor! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Balaclava

A Balaclava is a knitted cap that covers the face from the elements. They were originally sent by family to British troops in the 1854 Crimean War to protect them from the bitter weather.

The Monmouth Cap is a sailor's knitted head-covering whose first literary reference is thought to be found in 1576 - the term later appears in the works of William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. (According to lore, a quality cap could cost more than a shirt, breeches or pair of shoes.)

A Thrummed Cap is a funny-looking sailor's cap from Wales knitted from single-ply wool that "frazzled" or developed a hairy look.

The Tricorne (Tricorn) hat is the one that Hollywood has adopted as the look for pirate captains. Three sides of a brimmed hat are turned up to form a triangle from above - sometimes this style is referred to as a "cocked" hat.

Answer: Cloche

A cloche is a bell-shaped hat invented in France. It also inspired a hair-style designed to complement its shape - the Eton Crop.

A Sombrero is a wide-brimmed man's hat from Mexico originally designed to shade the head, neck and shoulders. A formal sombrero is a beautiful work of art.

A Fedora is a low-brimmed felt men's hat first referenced in 1891. It is still used as a fashion accessory.

A Pillbox is a small woman's hat with a tall crown, with no brim or veil. It was known in fashion until the 1960s.

Answer: Pillbox

The black and white TV news coverage of President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963 is part of history. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wore a Pill Box hat on that fateful day.

Answer: Ascot

A Top Hat is part of formal dress for a gentleman. Typically seen at weddings, the opera and other fancy dress occasions.

A Slouch Hat is a felt hat long associated with the military. Today, Australia troops wear this style with pride. One side of the brim is pinned back with a "Rising Sun Badge" to allow a rifle to be carried on the shoulder.

A Boater is a gentleman's straw flat-crowned hat decorated with a ribbon around the crown. It was found in the American summers of the 1900s.

An Ascot is usually associated with a man's neckwear.

Answer: University graduation

A mortarboard is a flat, square head cover worn by students at USA university graduation ceremonies. Typically a black square adorned with a colored tassel depicting the colors of the university, college, or area of learning.

Weddings may see a variety of hats for men and women, but it would be very unusual for a guest to wear a mortarboard to this event.

It is a tradition for the US military graduates to toss their hats high into the air upon their graduation. Traditionally, the graduates would include their name, family address, a funny joke and perhaps a few dollars in the hope that the small children (who were allowed to catch the caps) would contact them or their families. Evidently, those who retrieve the caps no longer respect this tradition and dodge from hat to hat pulling out the money. With respect to all who serve, I know your head wear is called a "cover." Thank you for your service.

So far as I know, there is no such thing as a Cheerleader Election Ceremony. However, if there was, I would suggest that they should air-toss pom-poms and each other. GO TEAM! (Oops, bad landing Tiffy...we'll do better next time!)

Answer: Bearskin

The UK Coldstream Guards' history ranges from supporting Oliver Cromwell in 1650 to operating a tank division during WWII. They were dispatched in the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. They also rock as members of the machine gun platoon while at the same providing the musical accompaniment of the Changing of the Guard of Windsor Castle. (To those that are concerned - they now wear very nice faux versions of the original bear-skin hats.)

The Beaver Top Hat help to make German immigrant John Jacob Astor the richest man in America when he died in 1848. His $20 million estate would equate to approximately $110 BILLION in 2006 dollars.

Contrary to popular legend, Daniel Boone did not like Coonskin Caps and wore felt hats instead.

A Cat-o-nine tails has nothing to do with a cap and much to do with an ancient form of punishment in the Royal Navy of the UK. (Don't ask.)

Answer: Stetson

In 1865, John B. Stetson created the "Boss of the Plains" - a flat-brimmed "durable, waterproof and elegant" hat designed to meet the challenge of the American plains. Baden-Powell wore this style through his campaign in South Africa modifying it through creases at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions (thus making it a "lemon (head) squeezer."

In the American West, the flat crown became creased and the brim pushed up or down by its owner. It thus became the father of the modern style of Cowboy hat.

A Bentley is a car, James Locke is a famous London hat maker and Justin is a famous American company known for its boots.

Answer: Shako

A Shako is the tall hat decorative hat first worn by the Hungarian Hussars in the 18th century. It went through many iterations as the head covering of military uniforms. West Point cadets in the USA proudly wear this style as do many other marching band members.

A Shaker is typically defined as an implement used for shaking things - such as salt or pepper.

A Skimmer is a formal straw hat worn by gentlemen. It is also known as a "can-can hat" in Japan.

A Shaka has nothing to do with hats, but is so cool unto itself. It is the Hawaiian hand sign involving waving the thumb and little finger (with all other digits folded down) meaning "all is well" or "great job." Aloha, my friends!

Answer: Panama Hat

Unfortunately, this lovely craft hat is misnamed. It was originally made in Ecuador - the wonderful art of plaiting the toquilla palm into brilliant hats is a dwindling skill and was placed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in December of 2012. (It was named for the port that it was sold to Europeans and Americans.)

A Stetson is a felt cowboy hat, and a Shako is a tall military hat. A Tamsui is a Japanese replica of the original Panama Hat.

Answer: Hennin

A Hennin is the "steeple-cone shaped hat" loved by generations of little girls who enjoy playing princess. In reality, this style involved plucking or shaving ones hairline (and eyebrows) then tying down or pulling the remaining hair through the top of the cone.

A Frontlet is a decorative band worn across the forehead.

Pointy Hat and Duchess Style are not traditional names for ladies' hats so far as I know.