How it works
A brimmed felt hat has two main parts: the crown, which sits over the head, and the brim, which sticks out round it. The rest shapes, finishes and lines them, from the crease on top to the sweatband inside.
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Crown, crease and pinch
The crown is shaped by hand: the crease runs along the top, and the pinches are the two dents at the front where your fingers grip the hat to take it off. A hatband circles the crown's base.
Brim, binding and the inside
This brim snaps down at the front. A binding tape folded over its edge finishes it. Inside, a leather sweatband fits the head, and a lining covers the inside of the crown.
Questions and answers
What is the top of a hat called?
The crown. On a fedora it is shaped with a crease along the top and pinches at the front.
What is the band around a hat called?
The hatband, a ribbon or leather band around the base of the crown, often finished with a small bow.
What is the band inside a hat for?
It is the sweatband, usually leather. It sits against the forehead, sets how the hat fits and keeps sweat off the felt.
What is the edge of a hat brim called?
The binding, or bound edge: a tape folded over the rim of the brim to finish and protect it. Some brims are left with a raw edge instead.