25+ Pillbox Hats You Want to Buy Right Now

Hats have been making a comeback as a fashion accessory. There are varieties of hats for women that exudes elegance, but the most iconic would be the pillbox hat. What is a pillbox hat, and where did the name and design come from? What are the features that make it distinct from other hats? How to wear them to pull off a classy look rather than a ridiculously overdressed appearance. This article also includes steps in making your own pillbox hat at the comfort of your home with the use of simple and easy to find materials.

Pillbox hats are generally used to achieve a regal and luxurious look without appearing to be overly dressed. It is a tricky hat to wear, for it sits on the thin line separating elegance and tacky. Choosing the right design and pairing them with the proper outfits is vital in pulling off a well-put look, but once you have mastered the art of using pillbox hats, sophistication would become your middle name.

Are you intrigued by the current rise of the pillbox hat trend? Get a closer look at some elegant and chic pillbox hats we have compiled just for you.

Embroidered Ribbon Veil Wool Hat (2 Available Colors)

Embroidered Ribbon Veil Wool Hat

Stay chic as you pair this spectacular hat with your cocktail dress this weekend. Handcrafted from high-quality Australian wool in purple and cerulean blue color. Delicately embroidered with foliage patterns and beads. Delicate black mesh surmounted by a ribbon and feather accent set on a sloped, curved crown. Get from HERE

Black Veil Curved Bow Felt Hat (2 Available Colors)

Black Veil Curved Bow Felt Hat

Finish off with a vogueish in style look with this ultra-feminine hat for women. Featuring a curved hat fashioned from 100% wool fabric in elegant wine red and black hues draped with a black mesh veil and a bow-tied ribbon on the side. Warm and protect your head as you head out for a meeting or attend a gathering. Get from HERE

White & Green Floral Coiled Polyester Clip Hat

Here is a garden-inspired clip, fascinator style hat, handmade from a woven polyester fabric with a white flower accent. The combination of green and white represents the beauty of nature perfect for a garden party and weddings. Get from HERE

Black Floral Netted Veil Hat

Get a mysterious and teasing presence with this highly elegant clip-on fashion hat made with durable polyester mesh fabric with a delicate appeal. It also features a rosette accent made of fine woven mesh with an upright black feather set over a loosely draped veil. Lightweight and easy to wear. Get from HERE

Blue Lace & Felt Pillbox Hat

Strut a stylish Londoner fashion with this well-defined hat. Embellished with sinamay fabric trimmings made from natural abaca fibers and strips of Australian wool. Handmade from light and soft felt fabric with an adjustable inner tie for perfect comfortable wear. Get from HERE

Lacy Large Floral Fascinator Style Hat (2 Available Colors)

Lacy Large Floral Fascinator Style Hat

Look like royalty with this high profile hat in pastel blue and beige color. It features a wide flat base with an upright tall flower mesh accent supported by millinery wires, emphasized by a spray of white feathers in the middle for a fresh and clean appearance. Lightweight and comfortable to wear like a regular headband. Get from HERE

White Sweet Pea Bow Headband Pillbox Hat

British fashion is all about chic and elegance wear this fabulous headpiece with a pretty dress or with a chiffon top and a pair of slacks. Highlighting a beautiful replica of a white sweet pea set over an abaca mesh bow, fastened on a round concave headband base. The body of the headband is covered with silky white ribbons to compliment the pristine white overall look. Get from HERE

Black & White Floral Feather Headband Hat

Have a look at this splendid piece of head accessory depicting a black and white hibiscus flower with beige coiled trimmings. Delicately made with a cluster of black and white dyed feathers and a ribbon of durable organic abaca mesh surmounted on a silk band covered headband. Get from HERE

Elegant Beige Feather Floral Headband Hat

If you were going for a pure and innocent look, this headpiece would definitely help you achieve that look. Handmade with a bouquet of soft and curly dyed beige feathers replicating a carnation flower, with beaded pistils accent fastened over a headband for comfortable wear, a perfect accessory in attending ceremonial gatherings. Get from HERE

Black & White Ribbon Straw Headband Hat

You would surely turn heads with this attention-grabbing headpiece that radiates a refined and high-class impression. Handmade from premium-grade woven polyester fibers fashioned onto a flexible, broad base set on a headband. Embellished with strips of sinamay mesh ribbon ties to keep the base upright. Get from HERE

Black & White Polyester Mesh High Profile Hat

Go for a smart and dignified look with this high profile headpiece fastened on a felt-covered headband for soft and comfortable wear. Featuring a fascinator head accessory made with a circular upright base extending to an elongated leaf-shaped top. Covered with black and white soft mesh with a black butterfly accent, and supported by durable and flexible millinery wire. Get from HERE

Couture Black & White Polyester Mesh Headband Hat

Shade your eyes from the sun and exhibit a polished appearance on your next outdoor get-together with this trendy and stylish headband hat. Handcrafted from a piece of high-quality sinamay fabric from organic abaca fibers, finished off with black piping over the brim of a circular base surmounted by a black and white hibiscus feather accent over thin black ribbon ties. Get from HERE

Dome Pink Bow Knot Veil Wool Hat

Get a classic and cultured look with this dome shape cocktail hat stunningly fashioned from a piece of 100% dyed wool fabric. Its pink carnation shade offers a highly feminine and sophisticated appeal together with a ribbon accent and a white net veil. Get from HERE

Flat Leopard Print Black Bow Wool Hat

Stand out amongst the crowd and be the center of attention with this high fashion dome-shaped pillbox hat. Handcrafted from a piece of leopard printed Australian wool fabric surmounted with a black mesh polyester veil with black circular accents. Embellished with a black blow and feather design to finish off a fabulous look. Get from HERE

Wide Black & White Woven Polyester Bow Hat

Travel back in time with a classic and conservative British-inspired look. Featuring a wide-brimmed curved hat fashioned from a piece of high quality is woven polyester material in white and black color. Decorated with a pair of black chopsticks fastened in bowknot accent for a chic and glamorous look. Get From HERE

Classic Royal Blue Wool Pillbox Hat

Get this classy and elegant vintage hat handcrafted from 100% Australian wool fabric made into a round pillbox hat available in royal blue color. Modestly designed with a pair of slim feathers and incorporated in between two curled trimmings and a bowknot accent. Get from HERE

Studded Bow Felt Hat (5 Available Colors)

Studded Bow Felt Hat

Look like a princess as they attend to their royal duty by wearing this majestic cocktail hat available in five imperial shades. Featuring a neatly made round hat fashioned from a piece of Australian wool fabric embellished with a bed of brilliant circular rhinestones surmounted by a ribbon bow for emphasis and glamour. Get from HERE

Dome Top Bowknot Interlaced Felt Hat (7 Available Colors)

Dome Top Bowknot Interlaced Felt Hat

Be charmed by this adorable fashion hat suitable for teenagers and adults. Featuring a cloche styled hat characterized by a short front curved brim and a dome-shaped crown. Modestly decorated with a strip of interlaced felt secured by a bowknot accent. Coupled with a long coat or a knitted sweater to exude a high fashion look. Get from HERE

Veil Dome Bowknot Embellished Felt Hat (2 Available Colors)

Veil Dome Bowknot Embellished Felt Hat

Exhibit a highly sophisticated and regal flair with this ultra-feminine hat for the ladies. Highlighting a beret styled curved hat fashioned from 100% soft wool fabric in wine red and black colors adorned with a black polyester mesh veil on the front and a bow ribbon on the side. Get from HERE

Cocktail Champagne Trimming Grass Flower Sinamay Hat

Bring an understated superfluity with you on as you attend your upcoming get-together with this elegant piece of head accessory. It features a curved top covered with champagne gray finely woven sinamay fabric, surmounted with a ribbon curl trimmings and a spray of feather representing grass flowers. Get from HERE

Polyester Mesh Feather Fascinator Hat (7 Available Colors)

Polyester Mesh Feather Fascinator Hat

Celebrate femininity with this remarkable headpiece that features a curved base covered with beautifully dyed organic abaca mesh, topped with a floral mesh design with pieces of thin feathers. Light and stress-free to wear with a built-in hair clip. Available in seven exciting colors. Get from HERE

Rosette Floral Embroidered Wool Hat (2 Available Colors)

Rosette Floral Embroidered Wool Hat

Be sure to grab this stylish fashion hat and exhibit a refined and well-put ensemble on your next gathering. It features a finely embroidered foliage with black bead accents topped with a layer of black mesh and curled ribbons and pieces of upright feathers. Fashioned from a piece of high-quality wool fabric with a soft and smooth texture. Get from HERE

Magenta Rose Embellished Black Net Wool Hat

Simply elegant can describe this high-class piece of head accessory. Lightweight with a warm and soft feel made from a piece of 100% wool fabric in regal magenta color. Delicately cut leaf and floral design assembled with bead accents and mesh that gives off a delicate and mysterious flair. Get from HERE

Feathered Lily Mesh Ribbon Clip Hat (6 Available Colors)

Feathered Lily Mesh Ribbon Clip Hat

Exhibit a playful 60s style appearance with this stunning piece of head clip hat with your Sunday dress. Small and light with a built-in hair clip for easy wear. Characterized with a semi-curved base, topped with a hibiscus feather floral accent and curled ribbons made of strips of woven abaca mesh fabric. Get from HERE

Peony Trimmings Polyester Mesh Clip Hat (7 Available Colors)

Peony Trimmings Polyester Mesh Clip Hat

You would surely love this wonderful piece of head accessory that features a delicate peony flower made from soft polyester fabric fastened over curled trimmings of organic abaca mesh fabric set on a slanted circular base. It comes with a built-in hair clip. Get from HERE

Polyester Mesh Feather Sinamay Hat (8 Available Colors)

Polyester Mesh Feather Sinamay Hat

Exude a refine and sophisticated aura with this stylish clip-on hat. Handmade with a well-shaped Floral and leaf accent made possible with the use of high-grade millinery wire. Sturdy abaca mesh covers the semi-domed base with accents of sinamay curly trimmings and dyed feathers. Get from HERE

Hats

In every era, hat styles changes depending on their purpose. During the 50s, hats were used to cover unwashed hair to keep a neat appearance. In the 60s, hats serve as a fashion statement and a symbol of social status. During this era, pillbox hats became an ionic trend in the fashion industry.

Pillbox hats were invented in the 1930s and were a part of a military wardrobe designed with a built-in chin strap. It was fashioned from the boxes where chemists used to deliver the pills during the war. It was most widely held in the 1960s where it became a fashion hat for women popularized by Jacqueline Kennedy. The pillbox hat became her iconic fashion style.

Pillbox hats are currently considered as a fashion or costume hat for the commoners. However, the British royal family still wears them as a headpiece in place for their crown as they address their royal duties outside the palace and even social gatherings.

Characteristics of a Pillbox hat:

Small, brimless circular hat with flat sides and a level top. It was famous for its neat and simple design that radiates elegance. Simply styled with a piece of brooch or pin but are made from an array of materials from ornamented wool and studded velvet fabrics. Silky rose bouquets and feather accents are also a staple design.

Common Accents:

Ribbons

Ribbons and bowknots are the most common hat decoration for women’s hats in general. This is due to its soft curved design, as well as being a standard hair clip design for children and adults. It is cute, fashionable, and age-friendly. Bows with loose curly ribbon are suitable for a relaxed outdoor look while a simple bowknot is perfect for a formal gathering.

Ribbons also represent female empowerment and awareness. Depending on the color, it represents a cause. For example, a pink ribbon represents women’s health, while a yellow ribbon can epitomize a variety of purposes from bone cancer to obesity.

Flowers

Flowers are a typical accent in women’s accessory, for it is a versatile design. It can be worn on all types of occasions like birthdays and weddings. It is a beautiful design that needs no further explanation. Flowers also represents women in general. The reproduction system is seen in plants where flowers give rise to fruits, and so on. Flowers also represent the beauty and delicate nature of women. Even how a flower smell represents a woman’s sweet and caring nature. Each flower denotes a different meaning. Carnations represent beauty and pride, while a daisy symbolizes pureness.

Fabric Used:

Wool

Made from sheep or lamb furs. These are resistant to wrinkling and durable material with a warm and soft texture. There are two types of wool:

Wool blend felts- these are a combination of wool and rayon. It is soft and water-resistant but can easily wrinkle and has a tendency to shrink.
Acrylic felts- Made from recycled plastic materials. Its advantages over blend felts are shirk and water resistance but would easily fuzz.

Velvet

These are conventionally made from silk but are currently made from synthetic fibers. These are woven from a pile of smooth fabric. It had dense with a soft texture with a furry feel. The downside of the fabric is that it is difficult to clean and a lint magnet.

Polyester

These are commonly used in hat making due to its durable and easy to dye property. It is also resistant to shrinking and wrinkling. Synthetic in nature that can replicate the beauty of a straw material with a water-resistant feature that an organic straw material does not possess.

Linen

These lightweight and durable fabrics have a glossy appearance. Best for hats suitable for warm weather due to its breathable and cool feel. The downside of this fabric is that it is easily wrinkled.

Sinamay

These are made from natural abaca fibers native to the Philippines. These are stiff and loosely woven, usually used for fascinators with grand and high profile features.

How to Wear?

In wearing a tilted back pillbox hat, you must choose a smaller hat size, around an inch shorter. By using an elastic band to secure that hat under your hair to hold it in its place. You can also use a pair of comb to keep it in place, and of course, our reliable hairpins would do the trick.

Neat and clean. No matter how you choose to wear it, tilted on the side, front, or back, make sure that, your hair is neat looking to provide a perfect canvas for the hat to sit on.

Wear a light to moderate makeup for pastel-colored hats. Keep in mind that hats bring attention to your face, and a heavily made-up face against a light shade hat is just not right.

To complete a mysterious and provocative look, choose a dark-colored hat with a front veil to cover your eyes, just enough for a peek here and there.

For a playful and fun look, wear your hats with an A-line dress to give a bouncy and youthful flair. Wear the hat slightly tilted to the side with a ribbon or floral accent.

Choose velvet or wool hats during cold seasons paired with your coat and boots.

Steps in making your own pillbox hats:

Create a 6-inch circle on a piece of cardboard. Cut another piece measuring to 6 ½ inches and fold the ½ inch up serving as a tab.

Prepare the side of the hat by measuring a 1 ¾ x 24 inches long.

Using a glue gun, stick the sideband to the circle with the tab creating a hat-shaped carton piece.

Cover the side of the exterior with your chosen fabric. Cut a 4×25 inches long fabric. Glue an inch of the material on the inside of the hat. Cover the side and stick the remaining inch onto the top part of eth hat. Also, cover the spare circle board with the same fabric. Cut an 8-inch circle and glue it to the remaining board.

Make your own piping but covering a cord with the same material and sewing it together.

Glue the created piping around the edges of the top hat and finally covering the top with the remaining round board.

Create an inner lining by cutting a 7-inch circle on a piece of fabric carefully line and glue it in the inner part of the hat.

Finally, its tie to decorate your pillbox hat, Choose your chosen accent. You can use a readymade flower decoration or create one of your own using feathers or cut fabrics. You can also glue some crystals if available. Make this with your daughter for a mother and daughter bonding.

It is nice to dress up once in a while, and a pillbox hat is a surefire way to accomplish this look. Just a friendly reminder, be a tad careful in pairing your clothes with grandiose hats, for this may make or break your desired look. Nevertheless, as always, it all depends on the look that you are going for and the attitude you take with you as you rock your desired look.

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