A hat is a piece of clothing that is worn on top of the head. They are made of various materials such as cotton, wool, leather or straw. Hats were used primarily as protection from the sun or weather but they also serve a symbolic role in many cultures and religions. The material of a hat is shaped to fit snugly around the head or can be attached to the head using a hair pin to secure it.

Most hats are named by how they are shaped. The material is usually steamed and then shaped appropriately. Then it is dried to hold the shape. Hats can usually be rolled or crushed for travel purposes and they will still maintain their integrity, however hats should never be folded because that may leave a crease in the material. The best way to store or protect a hat is with a hat box. The box is round with a removable lid and is usually made of a thick cardboard, balsa wood or leather. Hat boxes were originally designed for wealthy women's hats. They are usually decorated with pastel colors or prints.

Hats have up to five basic parts in general. Most hats have a crown that is the top portion of a hat that fits over the crown of the wearers head. The brim of a hat is the stiff material that extends outward from the bottom portion of the crown. Brims surround the whole crown to provide protection form the elements. Some hats include a sweat band that is on the inside of the hat located where the hat touches the wearer's head. The hatband of a hat is a ribbon or band that encompasses a hat where the brim and the crown meet. Hatbands are decorative and the also help a hat maintain its round shape and size. Finally, some hats have a visor that is a stiff material that extends outward from the crown like a brim but it is only located on the front portion.