Between the brim and the crown: Traditional hats of Colombia

A walkthrough of the different regions of Colombia through traditional hats, discovering how they reflect the culture of their place of origin.

The clothing and accessories have been witnessed of social and economic changes in Colombia. These been reflected on hats, an accesory originally from Europe which adapted alongside the people and their territory 

Llanero Men’s Traditional Clothing, 1850, From the collection of: Museo de Trajes de la Universidad de América
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Clothing from Boyacá, 1850, From the collection of: Museo de Trajes de la Universidad de América
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Sombrera de Veléz Dress, Santander., 1850, From the collection of: Museo de Trajes de la Universidad de América
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Traditional work attire for Barequera de Guapi, 1850, From the collection of: Museo de Trajes de la Universidad de América
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Coconut palm hat, San Adres (1850)Museo de Trajes de la Universidad de América

Coastal Hat

Weave with coconut palm leaves, commonly uses in the Atlantic coast and the San Andres y Providencia Archipielago; some fibers of the leaf are leave untreated to give the hat a rustic decoration 

Sombrero Vueltiao (Turned Hat) (1850)Museo de Trajes de la Universidad de América

Vueltia'o Hat

Traditionally made in the coastal regions of Colombia, the Vueltia 'o hat is of Zenu origin and made with traditional materials like Caña Flecha and dyes used ny indigenous community; thanks to their craftmanship the hat gets it’s emblematic spiral pattern.  

Bonia’s Hat (1850)Museo de Trajes de la Universidad de América

Tobacco Leaf Hat


Made out of tobacco leaves, this hat gets it distintive design from the way leaves are arranged by colors, creating a pattern based on the tones of brown found in the leaves. 

White Straw Hat, Lenguazaque, Cundinamarca. (1850)Museo de Trajes de la Universidad de América

White Straw Hat

Commonly used in the Cundiboyancense plateau, made from a combination of white straw and fique woven together to create the structure of the hat. 

Pinagua Hat,Guainía (1850) by Pinagua HatMuseo de Trajes de la Universidad de América

Pinagua Hat

Originally from the Amazon region, made from Pinagua or Amanayen fibers dyed with natural materials of the region, the hat is woven in a traditional technique leaving it with a spiral pattern. 

Originally from the Amazon region, made from Pinagua or Amanayen fibers dyed with natural materials of the region, the hat is woven in a traditional technique leaving it with a spiral pattern. 

Felt Hat (1850)Museo de Trajes de la Universidad de América

Felt Hat

Traditional worn in the Andean region, speacilly on the area of Cundimarca; is made from a wool base felt, usually seen in beiges tones, is fabricated on last models and decorated with metallic buttons and a terlenka thread  

Examples like these and many more regional variants can be found in the museum collection, so we welcome you to come and discover even more.  

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