Hats

An accessory of character, the hat transcends trends without ever losing its strength. It is worn as much for what it protects as for what it reveals: a look, a silhouette, an intention. Its line, sometimes sharp, sometimes supple, plays with materials and seasons. Felt, straw, wool, or leather: each texture offers a different interpretation of style.

Designed to complement all faces, it does not address an ideal head, but a plurality of morphologies and personalities. From wide brims to the refined Trilby Hat, from the classic revisited to the couture model, each shape delineates its own territory.

“The hat is the ultimate refinement of civilization.”

— Diana Vreeland

Beyond fashion, it asserts its dual nature: functional and aesthetic. It protects from the sun or cold while marking a presence. And if all faces suit it, it's because it knows, better than anyone, how to harmonize with each.

Millinery or the art of making hats

Hat specialist, Bon Clic Bon Genre selects for you the latest trends and innovations in hats and caps. Discover without delay our collection, with varied styles, that will seamlessly adapt to anyone's wardrobe. The hat thus becomes the ideal means to assert your identity. The trend of headwear is back in vogue, much to our delight! 

Millinery shops in France are becoming increasingly rare. It is currently difficult to find a millinery shop in every city in the country, and with a varied quality collection. This service goes hand in hand with specialized advisors ready to guide you in the model you are looking for. At Bon Clic Bon Genre, we are committed to fulfilling all these missions. 
 

Our site includes a wide range of headwear from major millinery brands (Stetson, Bailey, Kangol, Alfonso d’Este) and our collections (B Couture and Marky). Unsure about measuring your head size? Check out our hat guide and quickly find the size you need! Have an urgent question? Contact us by email via our customer service or through social media. Our team will be happy to answer your questions. We deliver in France and abroad. Also, feel free to check our blog and advice section to learn about the latest trends in millinery and fashion, as well as tips for maintaining your headwear to keep it for many years. Through our advice, tips, and descriptions, millinery will soon hold no secrets for you! 

A varied range for the whole family

At Bon Clic Bon Genre, we forget no one! Gentlemen will find their happiness in our range for men with perhaps a Trilby Hat for winter and an Outback Hat for sunny days. Ladies, on the other hand, will discover gems in our dedicated section for women with a Floppy Hat or a fedora. 

We have a varied range that adapts to each silhouette as well as to one's character and clothing style. From top hats to Bucket hats, including beanies and Panama Hats, there is something for every taste, every occasion, and every budget. In choosing this accessory, nothing should be left to chance. Finally, children are not left out as we offer some models in small sizes to protect the whole family with quality and style. 

Models that adapt to the seasons

We offer for sale models for the whole year, whether it snows, rains, or the sun shines brightly! Indeed, it is the materials that adapt to temperatures and weather conditions. Straw, linen, and cotton are recommended for the spring-summer season, while felt and wool are more commonly used in winter. In January, opt for a winter hat in wool felt to protect yourself from the cold. In April, don't shed a thread with your Stetson cowboy hat.  
 

In July, as temperatures rise, it's time to choose a summer model that is both breathable and lightweight, such as the straw hat. The cotton Bucket hat has the advantage of being easy to pack in a vacation suitcase. At the September return, we put away swimsuits and opt for a fedora to accompany a classic and sumptuous little black dress. Some models like the leather hat can be pleasant headwear to wear during the mid-season.

For those who prefer ivy caps and beanies, these are also available on our site. The former adapts to all seasons while the latter is more recommended for winter use. 

The hat, a fashion accessory that takes different forms!

Let us help you see more clearly in the different forms that exist.

- The Trilby Hat has brims that are turned up at the back and down at the front. Some models are shape-memory or waterproof. In straw, leather, or felt, this model adapts to all seasons. 
 

- The fedora is one of the essentials of millinery for both men and women. Today, it is a fashion accessory with wide brims. In black wool felt, rabbit fur, or straw for the summer version, this model has brims turned up at the back.  

- The Outback Hat is the model intended for adventurers. Adapted to all weather, it will accompany you on all expeditions, and with style. Ideal for people with round faces as it tends to elongate the features.

- The porkpie has a low, flat crown and short, turned-up brims. It can be worn straight or tilted on the back of the head. 

- The Player Hat has small brims that can be turned up or not to suit your desires. This chameleon of millinery can be made of wool felt, straw, cotton, or leather to protect you, no matter the time of year. 

- The Bowler Hat is the ancestor of the riding helmet. Originally designed to protect the rider's head from tree branches, it later became a fashion accessory for the gentleman in a three-piece suit. Today, women have also adopted it for its retro-chic style with rounded lines. 

- The Cloche Hat was widely popularized among young ladies in the 1920s. Recognizable by its round, unindented crown and its more or less wide brims, this headwear is a delightfully retro accessory. It is adorned with felt in winter and straw in summer. 

- The Panama Hat refers to all models handwoven using high-quality palm straw. The finer the straw, the higher the quality of the model. Perfectly unisex, it is a true reference in the field of headwear. Visually, a Panama is recognized by the rosette shape present at its top. 

- The Floppy Hat is the very symbol of femininity. Its wide, floating brim harmonizes perfectly with a flowing dress. It also effectively protects you from the sun when summer comes. Black or beige, in straw or felt, this fashion accessory is a heartthrob. 

- The Boater Hat is the very emblem of the French summer hat. A true heritage object, it has flat brims and a flat crown. Made famous by iconic French celebrities like Gabrielle Chanel or Fred Astaire, this accessory has traversed eras and centuries without aging a bit. 

- The cowboy hat is immediately recognizable by its shape and authentic design. Timeless and charismatic, this model is particularly suited for outdoor activities.  

The history of the hat

From its appearance in the 19th century

The term hat is derived from “Chapel,” a medieval word that refers, according to the 1694 dictionary, to a crown of flowers worn by priests on their heads during certain festivals and processions. Since its creation, the hat has two main functions: protection and aesthetics. However, it also illustrates different uses, from the protective accessory against cold or sun to a social status indicator, to an integral part of a professional outfit (kepi, sailor cap, Cadet) or a fashion item, it comes in different shapes and styles. 

The hat as protection and social marker

The first traces of hats date back to Antiquity with the famous Phrygian cap, and its use was exclusively masculine. In the 13th century, male models were made of felt. Women wore this accessory if they went hunting. In the 18th century, the “shepherdess hat” was used by women during walks. The 19th century saw the development of the female hat, becoming increasingly creative and original. It also became a symbol of the social class of the person wearing it. At the same time, the male headwear was more classic. Going out bareheaded was then seen as a lack of education. 

From the 20th century to today

Following the liberation of women in the early 20th century, women became increasingly active, and the hat was set aside, much like the corset. It then served only to protect against the elements or during ceremonies. The 1920s also marked the arrival of one of the greatest fashion designers, Gabrielle Chanel, nicknamed Coco Chanel. It was as a milliner that she began her career in fashion with chic, discreet, sophisticated, and minimalist models. 

Gabrielle Chanel, a modern-day milliner

Before World War II, the activity of milliner designers was booming with big names in the sector such as Caroline Reboux, the Legroux sisters, and Lewis. The models were then voluminous, adorned with ribbons, feathers, or flowers, and it was in good taste to have a custom-made model. World War II and the absence of raw materials forced creators to rival ingenuity. From this pivotal period, original models were born, made using newspaper or wood shavings.

After the war, the hat industry gradually resumed and sought a certain refinement in shapes and material choices. The famous couturier Christian Dior notably used several meters of fabric to make a single hat. This accessory is now worn by all classes of society, men, women, and children alike.

From the halt of hat industries to the rebirth of millinery

The period between 1960 and 1990 was bleak for millinery. The hat was neglected and had become cumbersome, even useless. It was no longer just a ceremonial accessory or an artist's whim. The millinery sector then became devastated, and milliner workshops and factories closed one after another. Worn only for weddings and baptisms, it wasn't until the arrival of the 1990s that headwear (hats and caps combined) regained prestige.

Brought back into fashion by the greatest fashion designers and celebrities, this accessory has today become an essential part of the wardrobe, a luxury hat that is timeless and unique. It is gradually returning to what it always was, the final touch of an outfit, the affirmation of a style, the touch of elegance, or the essential element that will enhance your look.

Have you chosen your future headwear and want to keep it as long as possible? We recommend reading our article dedicated to hat maintenance to take the best care of it.