Welsh hats for women originally became popular during the 1830s. They are tall hats, similar to top hats or captains, and worn as Welsh national costumes. In Wales, women and schoolgirls still wear it on St David’s Day, but rarely on other occasions. During the 19th Century, Welsh hats were made in two main shapes: those with drum-shaped (vertical-sided) crowns were worn in northwest Wales, while those with slightly tapering crowns were worn throughout the rest of Wales.
Here are some amazing historical portraits of Welsh women wearing traditional costumes with these unique hats in the 19 century.