Did medieval merchants wear hats

Answer 1

Your question implies that wealthy ladies wore the same headgear throughout the medieval period, which is not true. Fashions for the aristocracy constantly evolved and changed, like every aspect of medieval life.

In the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries the fashion was for aristocratic ladies to cover their hair with a linen veil, sometimes held on with a fillet or strip of fabric. This gradually evolved into the bindae or wimple. This had two parts: a wide strip of linen which covered the sides of the face, the chin and the throat, with a second piece (the veil) which covered the top, back and sides of the head.

Then followed the barbette (see links below).

This wimple was also worn by nuns; it continued to be worn well into the 14th century, sometimes with a wide-brimmed straw hat or other headgear on top.

Many people believe (wrongly) that all medieval ladies wore a tall, cone-shaped hat with a veil over it, called a hennin. This style was only worn in Burgundy and parts of France from about 1430 and it never appeared in England at any time. Later versions were like a tall flower-pot in shape.

The links take you to images of these medieval headgear:

Answer 2

Hats consisted of a frame of wire work covered over with stuff which was embroidered or trimmed with lace. It depended on what class you wore what sort of hat you wore. Noblewomen often wore fancy tall hats, sometimes with streamers coming off them. Poor women often wore a linen cap called a coif.

Answer 3

Medieval merchants do wear hats.

Answer 4

A hat fit for a king