Milliner and hatter – about unique professions in a few words

There is no doubt that hats and caps are fashionable and consistently popular. All you have to do is go to the nearest shopping center and visit any clothing store. However, more and more people are finding that the widespread availability of mass-produced headgear means that the quality doesn’t meet their expectations. An alternative is to choose products made using traditional methods in small manufacturies. Family-run factories pass down the ethos of production from generation to generation and take care every detail of their products is of the highest quality. The profession of milliner and hatter had slowly become a thing of the past. Fortunately, the beginning of the 21st century has brought a small revival, and more and more people are finding these jobs to continue these sometimes multi-generational traditions.

A milliner designs and creates hats himself. The final look of the hats depends on the craftsman’s skills. To become a master of this profession, theoretical knowledge is not enough. It still takes experience and a skilled hand. Hat designs often are classic and frequently repeated, and the colors of materials tend to be in shades of gray, black, or navy blue. Making precious headgear is a time-consuming process and a delicate job. Men are less likely to experiment with different types of hats, often opting for classic models. Women, on the other hand, expect unique headgear that will make them look great. Their hats may have ornaments such as flowers, veils, or stripes. Women’s models also differ in size and shape. Examples of unique headgear, often custom-made, are most easily observed in the British royal court or among women active in politics. In Poland, for official occasions, hats are worn by first ladies, among others.