Felt Hat Day – September 15, 2026

Felt Hat Day
Categories:
Tags:
AppreciationFashionLifestyle
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every September 15
Holiday emoji:
🎩

Felt Hat Day tips its brim to the enduring style and rich history of felt hats every September 15. This day marks a seasonal shift, inviting us to swap summer headwear for the warmth and elegance of felt. Explore the perfect felt hat to complement your autumn wardrobe and delve into the fascinating legacy of this versatile accessory. Don a stylish felt hat, share your favorite look, and celebrate this iconic fashion statement!

Want to sponsor Felt Hat Day? Learn how

History of Felt Hat Day

Humans have loved wearing hats since the beginning of time. One of the earliest confirmed denotations of this fact was found during the excavation of mountains between Italy and Austria. Deep in the ice, a bronze-aged man called Otzi had been lying since 3250 B.C. He didn’t have a lot on his hands, but he did have a bearskin cap with a chinstrap — resembling a Russian fur hat. Turns out the fashion you enjoy today with the newest Gucci launch has already been done by Otzi, thousands of years ago.

The origins of Felt Hat Day remain unknown. Although a couple of theories credit the decades of the 1930s and 1940s for the revival of the hat and the establishment of Felt Hat Day. The 19th century saw the rise of felt hats, as felt became a common fabric to be used in hat production. Felt, a man-made fabric that has been in use for 5000 years, traces its origin to Asia. The Felt Hat Day commemorates an era bygone.

Felt Hat Day gives us a chance to reflect on the glorious history of hats and their role in our lifestyle.

From Austria’s Otzi to England’s Harry Styles — the hats have come a long way. And they remain an accessory of style, comfort, and fulfillment. September 15 is the perfect day to honor this long journey. The celebration is also important in the current climate as it connects the younger generations with our history.

Felt Hat Day timeline

1800s
Hats are Normalized

Fedora is invented and hats become a household accessory, with men and women both adding them to their wardrobes.

1900s
Felt Hats are Popularized

Hat producers adopt a warm, non-woven fabric for hats called felt.

1940s
Hollywood Fashions Felt Hats

The Lone Ranger debuts and takes the felt hat frenzy to another level.

1980s
Hats Become a Style Statement

Turban caps and extravagant hats make a comeback and hats are worn as a symbol of class and style.

Felt Hat Day FAQs

When is Felt Hat Day?

Felt Hat Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, September 15, marking the perfect mid-week opportunity to embrace the elegance of felt headwear. It’s an ideal time to transition your wardrobe for the cooler seasons.

What is felt made from?

Felt is a non-woven cloth produced by matting, condensing, and pressing fibers together. While historically made from wool or animal fur (like rabbit or beaver), modern felt can also be crafted from synthetic fibers such as acrylic or rayon. The process of felting dates back thousands of years.

How popular are felt hats today?

Felt hats continue to be a popular fashion accessory, experiencing resurgences in various styles like fedoras, wide-brimmed hats, and cloches. They are a staple in both high fashion and everyday wear, appreciated for their ability to add sophistication and character to an outfit. Their versatility ensures enduring appeal.

What was the 'Straw Hat Riot'?

The ‘Straw Hat Riot’ refers to a series of disturbances that occurred in New York City around September 15, 1922. It stemmed from an unwritten rule that men should stop wearing straw hats after that date, switching to felt or wool hats for the cooler months. Violators were often targeted, sometimes violently, by groups of young men.

How To Celebrate Felt Day

  1. Source a vintage hat for the day

    If you don’t have a felt hat in your wardrobe, rent or eBay a hat that’s both vintage and chic.

  2. Gift a hat to your friends

    September 15 is the perfect time to shower your friends and family with gifts. And by gifts, we mean hats. Share the joy and tip your hat to this fantastic day.

  3. Share your love for felt hats on social media

    Being a participant of the Felt Hat Day, you must share this knowledge with the world. Post a picture of your hat collection and educate your followers about the long history of hats.

5 Facts About Fabrics That’ll Have You Sweating

  1. Cotton and Wool, buddies since eternity

    Archaeological evidence suggests that cotton & wool have been used to create fabric since 3000 B.C.

  2. China and silk, a match made in heaven

    For hundreds of years, China has been the largest exporter of silk — a statistic not expected to change any time soon.

  3. Travel a yard, from finger to nose

    The distance from your fingertips to your nose measures close to a yard.

  4. A bale of cotton births 200 pants

    A single bale of cotton can be used to make over 200 pairs of jeans

  5. Like your clothes? Thank Eli Whitney

    In an attempt to process cotton faster, American inventor Eli Whitney made an engine that later became the foundation of the western textile industry.

Why We Love Felt Hat Day

  1. An excuse to get our best hats out

    The month of September can be pretty uneventful. Fashioning a hat is the perfect way to fill the void and fight the gloom.

  2. Hats fulfill functional purposes and carry out practical needs

    Want to cover your face from the sun? Wear a hat. Want to cover your head as the cold wind blows? Wear a hat. Want to finish off your outfit with the perfect accessory? Wear a hat. No matter what’s the question, hats are the answer.

  3. There is a hat for every head

    The best thing about hats is their versatility. Every culture has its own signature hat. No matter who you are or how you look, there is a hat in the world that’s perfect for you.

Felt Hat Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 September 15 Tuesday
2027 September 15 Wednesday
2028 September 15 Friday
2029 September 15 Saturday
2030 September 15 Sunday