Bicorne Hat

What is a bicorne? The bicorne is a hat with a brim that is positioned to create two points. This specific hat is also referred to as a cocked hat,, storm hat, or Napoleon hat. It was worn both straight with the points to the front and back (Wellington hat) and sideways with the points to both sides (Napoleon hat). Particularly, riders of the Spanish Riding School and Napoleon Bonaparte were known for wearing the bicorne sideways. The bicorne originated around 1790 as a military headgear, replacing the tricorne, predominantly worn in the 18th century. The tricorne evolved from ordinary round hats with wide brims. Spanish soldiers in the Eighty Years' War and the Reunions War (1683-1684) initially folded up one side of the brim for better protection against the weather conditions, later folding up three sides. Folding up the brim created a triangular shape, allowing rainwater to run off easily at the corners.

During the Reunions War, the hat spread throughout the French army. It was often adorned with cockades or similar accessories to demonstrate affiliation with a particular group or nation. In the 18th century, the tricorne was widely used by officers and the nobility but later became part of civilian attire. In 1786, the hat disappeared from military uniforms and was eventually replaced by the bicorne. Until the mid-19th century, the bicorn was occasionally worn for special festive occasions outside military purposes (student cap). From the mid-19th century onwards, it was only sporadically used by presidents of student associations (= chapeau d'honneur). In modern times, the bicorn is rarely worn. However, it is still used by officers of the British Army in combination with full dress uniform, by members of the Guardia Civil and the Carabinieri, by pallbearers, by members of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, by diplomats of various states, and by commanders and music directors of the Swedish Army. Additionally, the bicorne is also often worn during carnival guard dances, where it is usually based on its predecessor, the tricorne.