Cloche Hats for Women

An iconic fashion statement in the roaring 1920s, these form fitting hats are a staple accessory in any woman’s wardrobe. Named after the French word for “bell”, the cloche flatters any fashion style, from casual to formal. Perfect for shielding your eyes from the sun with their sloped brim, the straw bell-shaped cloche is a great way to keep cool on a warm afternoon. Knitted or sewn cloches provide an added touch of style for the winter, at the same time keeping you insulated against the chilly wind.

hats.com offers a great selection of both classic and reinvented cloche styles. Designed for women who are on the go, looking to have a bit of fun, these cloche hats are comfortable and fashionable. Brands such as Betmar and Helen Kaminski put on their own unique fashion spins on these retro bucket hat styles.

From the Flapper to the Fashionista

Cloche hats truly began their life of fashion before 1910, when designers started to experiment with a closer fitted body and new brim lengths. Many insight imagery of a helmet, which can perhaps be attributed to the end of World War I. As the 1920s arrived, and along with it the flapper fashion, women had embraced the cloche as a must-have item in their wardrobe. This hat also influenced hairstyles during its time, inspiring many women to cut their hair short or bobbed.

As the decade continued on, women started to add broaches and pins as decoration to their hats; the brims slowly became shorter as well. By the end of the 1920s new hat fashions were introduced, and the cloche become more of formalwear than a casual fashion accessory.

Reinventing the Cloche for the Modern Woman

Today, women’s hat brands, like Betmar and Helen Kaminski, are finding ways to reinvent this look. While bringing back the retro flair of the cloche, they are also encouraging their designers to look through a modern lens as they craft the latest styles. Including both felt and raffia straw materials, Helen Kaminski brings to their line of cloches understated details and undeniable quality. Makers of beautiful and natural handcrafted products, Helen Kaminski is a quality women's brand in high demand. These designer women’s hats and bags come in a variety of fashionable summer and winter styles, offering the highest degree of quality found in headwear and accessories, many of which are made with the brand’s signature material – raffia.

Betmar’s selection of cloches shines with hats that are both functional and fashionable. Their winter cloches are guaranteed to keep you warm, made of fleece and other tradition cold weather fabrics. Betmar’s summer collection of cloches almost begs you to show them off, keeping the sun out of your eyes and cool in the heat of the summer. Since 1933, Betmar is the go-to brand for women's hats and caps. From casual to fashionable, visors to sun hats, Betmar has created a number of styles that have been popularized by fashionistas and trendsetters.