Unique bowler hats have been an intrinsic part of the indigenous Aymara and Quechua (‘Cholitas’) women’s attire in Bolivia, since the 1920s.
Travelling through South America for over 9 months in 2011 and spending a couple of months in Bolivia, you can’t but help fall in love with bowler hats. A little taste for you…
In the American West, the bowler hat was the most popular and famed as the “hat that won the West”.
Popular because this type of hat didn’t fly off mens heads like the wide-brimmed cowboy hat did, while horse riding or during strong winds.
So how did the bowler hat get to Bolivia?
Although the bowler first appeared in 1849 in London, British railway workers and engineers introduced this hat in Bolivia in the 1920s.
Locally made now in Bolivia, previously, the bowler hat was made in Italy for many decades.
But why did the blower hat become so fashionable among women in Bolivia?
The popularity was a pure mistake and not intentional because of a shipment of wrongly-sized hats arriving, which didn’t fit the male railway workers.
Unable to persuade Bolivian men to adopt the fashion and not wanting the shipment to be thrown out, the tradesman started to work on Bolivian women.
After some persuasion with fabricated tales of the bowler a popular fashion item for women in Europe, the tradesman hawked the hats to the local women and so, began the fashion frenzy of the bowler hat in Bolivia.
But that’s not all, the placement on the head of the bowler is important and gives a clear message to an onlooker – if you know what the signal means…
If the hat is placed on the side of the head, the woman is a widow or single, whereas placing the hat on top of the head signifies the woman is married.
And let’s not forget, famous people such as Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, and comedians Laurel and Hardy are among the many that cemented the bowler hat as a fashion statement throughout history.
In Bolivia, the bowler hat is worn with style, pride, and pizazz, completing every outfit. Which photo of the bowler hat do you prefer?
Visit Nilla’s Photography for more global images. More posts on Bolivia at Image Earth Travel.
Really interesting! I didn’t know that the way Blovian women wear the hat will tell people about their marital status 🙂
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Hi Len
Neither did I until I travelled through Bolivia. Men and women in Peru also have a particular hat that’s worn, maybe I should write something on that… 😉
Appreciate your comment.
Cheers
Nilla
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Please do 🙂
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These are wonderful photos Nilla xx
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Thank you Gill!
I mentioned in my previous comment here that I return to Oz with over 10,000 photos from the 9 months of travel through South America – incredible time!
Cheers
Nilla
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I’m bowled over.
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Ha, ha, too funny Dave!
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It’s true that bowler hats are eye-catching in Bolivia, there’s also the rainy version, with a plastic bag simply wrapped around the hat 🙂
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Yes, I did see that fashion statement also during the rain!
The bowler’s price can command up to US$1,000 so women are starting to wear a wider brimmed less-expensive hat and often made from straw.
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Ah, I just love these photo’s … the woman look so proud wearing these hats. And I never knew the ‘story behind the hat story’ – thanks for sharing this 👍🏻.
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The hats are definitely worn with pride and look amazing on women.
Happy that you enjoyed this story and please feel free to share with friends and family. 🙂
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What kind of hats do the men wear?
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Hi Benjamin
The traditional men seem to wear more of a Harrison Ford hat but with a much smaller brim. Others, wear baseball caps.
The hats are quite different in Peru than in Bolivia.
Cheers
Nilla
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Way cool! I learned a lot today!
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Excellent! Happy to help and please feel free to share this post. ☺️
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I shared it. Thank you again!
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Thank you so much! You’re a gem! 🙂
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What a great post! The history of the bowler hats in Bolivia is interesting – it’s funny how a whoops became a big part of the Bolivian identity.
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Thanks! I have so many photos of women in bowler hats that it was difficult picking out only a few for this post.
Crossing over to Peru, brought a different type of hat… 😉
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A wonderful post and so informative too. Also the pictures were terrific!
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Thank and it’s cool you enjoyed this post.
Do you have a favourite photo from the post?
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Great post! I’ve always been fascinated by Bolivian bowlers but never having visited Bolivia, I never looked into it. What a great story and photos. They bring a smile to your face. If I had to pick a favorite, I would probably say the women walking to the lake with the sheep. They’re all excellent, though.
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Hi Karen
Thank you for the great feedback and interesting choice for a favourite.
I think I have hundreds of photos of women in bowler hats and then there’s Peru, which has a different style of hat…maybe another post? 😉
Cheers
Nilla
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Definitely!
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Great article. Thanks for the information!
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Thank you Rebecca! Do you have a favourite bowler hat photo?
Hope you’re well?
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Of these beauties, La Paz is my favorite. : )
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The 1st photo from La Paz?
This is one of my favourite and had this one in an photographic exhibition in Italy. Looks good printed large!
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That’s so wonderful! Congratulations.
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Thank you!
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Wonderful exhibition space. Your photos look great there.
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Thank you! It really was a space steeped in history.
Would love to hold another exhibition in Brisbane again but with COVID, it’s so hit and miss at the moment.
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I’m sure that you could given your marvelous portfolio of photography.
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Very kind words Rebecca, thank you! 🙂
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