From 1700 to 1849, women’s hats evolved from rustic straw bergère styles to structured bonnets and towering creations that mirrored changing fashions and social ideals. In the 18th century, wide-brimmed hats adorned with ribbons and flowers complemented pastoral aesthetics, while the rise of elaborate hairstyles led to smaller, tilted designs. By the early 19th century, Neoclassical influences brought high-crowned bonnets with deep brims, often trimmed with feathers or lace. These hats were not only practical but also powerful symbols of femininity, modesty, and status in a rapidly shifting world.