Hats off!

The Phrygian-style cap or 'bonnet rouge' was worn by the partisans during the French Revolution and was adopted as a Republican symbol. And may or may not be seen on the catwalks during London fashion week Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Only "substantial fascinators" are permitted at Royal Ascot Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

Beware of the "brim as blinkers" phenomenon when wearing oversized sunhats Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Milliner extraordinaire Gertrude Shilling shows off one of her own creations at Royal Ascot. She is on the ball with this a red number which is trimmed with snooker triangle, balls and cue. Photograph: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Jimi Hendrix and his famous hat Photograph: Bill Zygmant / Rex Features/Bill Zygmant / Rex Features

A racegoer explores the boundaries between hat, fascinator and foliage Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson

Laurel And Hardy: bastions of the bowler Photograph: Ronald Grant Archive

John Wayne: favoured the stetson over the pillbox Photograph: Cine Text / Allstar/Sportsphoto Ltd. / Allstar

Unfinished Panama hats dry outside in the sun Photograph: Owen Franken/Corbis

Zorro: never complained of a bad hair day. Photograph: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

Large hats with a turned up brim have recently had a fashion moment at New York fashion week. So we'll all be wearing them soon Photograph: Stuart Ramson/AP

Frank was nothing without his fedora Photograph: GAB Archive/Redferns

Top Cat, the ultimate cat in a hat Photograph: c.Everett Collection / Rex Featu/c.Everett Collection / Rex Featu

These Mongolian wrestlers would feel quite naked without their hats Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian