A
hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against the elements, ceremonial reasons, religious reasons, safety, or as a
fashion accessory. In the past, hats were an indicator of
social status. In the
military, hats may denote nationality, branch of service, rank and/or
regiment.
Police typically wear distinctive hats such as peaked caps or brimmed hats, such as those worn by the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Some hats have a protective function. As examples, the
hard hat protects construction workers' heads from injury by falling objects and a British police
Custodian helmet protects the officer's head, a
sun hat shades the face and shoulders from the sun, a
cowboy hat protects against sun and rain and a
Ushanka fur hat with fold-down ear-flaps keeps the head and ears warm. Some hats are worn for ceremonial purposes, such as the
mortarboard, which is worn (or carried) during university graduation ceremonies. Some hats are worn by members of a certain profession, such as the
Toque worn by chefs. Some hats have a religious functions, such as the
Mitres worn by Bishops and the
turban worn by
Sikhs.
