The Tyrolean Hat

Even though the myth of the "original" Tyrolean hat still haunts one or the other traditional costume shop, the truth is that there is a great variety of "male" Tyrolean hats, which differ in shape, color, and material.

Tyrolean hats have also changed over the course of history, they were subject to fashion just like clothing in general. Those who could afford it, namely the wealthy citizens and peasants, liked to orient themselves on the latest fashion trends, which were either adopted from the nobility or "imported" from traders abroad. Thus, we find "Tyrolean hats" with wide brims as well as tricornes, top hats, hats with flat or high peaks, and with various printed, embroidered, or silk decorative ribbons.

A regional standardization or stylization of Tyrolean hats, as well as traditional costumes in general, only took place in the course of the 19th and early 20th centuries. "Tracht" in the literal sense means "that which is worn", and the peasant clothing had to be primarily one thing, namely practical. Only with increasing class consciousness did the simple work and everyday clothing develop into regionally different traditional costumes. An intense social and religious life with traditional customs and many holidays was the basis for this and made such festive clothing necessary in the first place. The growing nationalism since the Napoleonic Wars and the reflection on and appreciation of customs and traditions that began in the 19th century contributed further to the consolidation of regional traditional costumes. The 100-year commemorations of the Tyrolean struggle for freedom in 1909, in particular, brought about a further standardization of their festive costumes, especially among the rifle associations and brass bands.

The image of the Tyrolean costume and the Tyrolean hat was also significantly shaped by various national singer groups that traveled Europe in the 19th century. Their colorful fantasy costumes and also the hats often adorned with long feathers influenced the "real" costumes. For example, to this day, the feather is the most common hat decoration for the Tyrolean hat as opposed to the chamois beard, which is common in neighboring Bavaria.

"I'd rather buy a Tyrolean hat", is the title of a still popular German hit by Billy Mo from the year 1962. The only question remains: Which one? The more choices you have, the harder it is to choose…