Headwear is a piece of clothing to protect the head against weather or harm. It also has cultural significance. A casual hat such as a baseball cap, or a party hat, can be a useful souvenir.
Understand
[edit]Headwear is usually worn as protection against cold weather or sunburn, as part of a uniform, or as ceremonial or religious clothing. In some countries, women are supposed to cover their hair with a shawl. While the etiquette for headwear varies between countries, it is usually bad manners to wear protective headwear indoors. Visiting a place of worship, special rules may apply, see below.
In some areas, facemasks are commonly used to ward off disease or pollution, and wearing one can be seen as a sign of personal responsibility. In other areas, facemasks might be associated with criminal activity or look strange. Follow the lead of locals to decide when wearing a mask is an appropriate choice.
Headwear for cold weather can be a simple beanie, or include a face mask to protect against blizzards or headwinds when snowmobiling or doing winter sports.
A hat to protect against sun on a full-day outdoor trip should have a round brim; see sunburn and sun protection; where the sun is less intense, a cap could do.
Headwear could be completed with a mosquito net to keep pests away.
Respect
[edit]The etiquette for headwear varies around the world, and with religions; see Clothes#Visiting religious sites, articles about specific religions and the Respect section for each country.
While souvenir hats and novelty headwear can be part of the experience in a resort or a festival, they are usually a giveaway that the bearer is a tourist. To blend in, choose a model that the locals would wear.
In some areas, facemasks are commonly used to ward off disease or pollution, and wearing one can be seen as a sign of personal responsibility. In other areas, facemasks might be associated with criminal activity or look strange. Follow the lead of locals to decide when wearing a mask is an appropriate choice.