Sombrero & its Purpose – 15 Things You Should Know

A sombrero hat goes hand in hand with Mexican culture. These enormous, wide-brimmed hats are one of the best in the world for sun protection.

Still, it’s hard to spot someone wearing these huge hats in public. But sombreros still hold a high place in Mexico; to native Mexicans, sombreros are more than just hats.

Sombreros go all the back to the 15th century and have rich and confusing history.

Let’s find out all about this traditional Mexican hat.

1. What is a sombrero (hat)?

A sombrero is a wide-brimmed, high-crowned hat usually made with straw or felt. Large sombrero hats also have a chin strap. The brims of traditional sombreros are slightly curved upwards, but some sombreros have flat brims. 

The largest sombrero hats can have a brim that extends up to two feet.

Sombrero hats are most common in Mexico and the Southern US. Sombreros also have links to Spain and the Philippines. 

Due to their wide brims, sombrero hats are excellent for shielding from the sun. Cheap sombreros come with narrow brims to keep the sun away, while expensive sombreros have thick brims that shield the wearer from sun and light rain. 

2. Other names for sombrero

Sombrero is a Spanish word that translates to shadow or shade. In Mexico, sombrero hats are called sombrero charro while outside Mexico, the hats are sometimes referred to as sombrero mexicano or sombrero mejicano. 

Today people have started referring to other wide-brimmed hats as sombreros because, in Spanish, sombrero can mean any hat, not just the significant wide-brimmed Mexican hat. But native Mexicans find this offensive as sombreros are considered cultural heritage in Mexico.

3. Who wears a sombrero?

Traditionally, sombreros were for Mexican nationals and were a part of the day-to-day attire. 

Sombreros are one of the best hats for sun protection, so they are the perfect head cover for anyone spending long hours in the sun.

Now sombreros are a distinct mark of Mexican heritage. 

Today anyone can wear a sombrero. Many buy sombreros as a fun and stylish accessory that offers cheap sun protection or even as a part of a costume for Mexican events like Cinco De Mayo. 

But it is not recommended to wear a traditional sombrero unless you are of Mexican heritage. Wearing a traditional sombrero for fun means imitating a valued custom without appreciating its roots. 

4. Where did the sombrero hat come from?

Sombrero hats rose to fame in Mexico, but tracing the exact origin of the hat is not easy. Wide-brimmed straw hats were present long before sombreros gained popularity. Mongolian horse riders wore hats like sombreros as early as the 13th century. 

Most people think that Mestizo people made the first sombreros to shield themselves from the sun. Some believe that horse riders from the Mexican city is Jalisco first introduced sombreros. 

The Philippines also has a history with sombrero hats that spans back to the 16th century, but it’s unlikely that the hats originated there.

5. Is sombrero Mexican or Spanish?

Many people claim that sombreros came from Mexico, while others claim that sombreros originated in Spain and Spanish immigrants introduced the hats to Mexico. Either story is possible. 

Spain had a famous hat called Sombrero cordobés, which translated to a wide-brimmed hat. Sombrero cordobé was a straw hat with a flat brim and a flat crown. Some believe that Mexican natives got the idea for sombreros after seeing the Sombrero cordobés hats of the Spanish immigrants.

Nevertheless, it is clear that sombreros had the most impact on Mexico, and they remain popular in Mexico even today.

6. Are sombreros a part of Mexican culture?

Sombreros are still a part of Mexican culture. A sombrero and a poncho are the most prominent clothing items of Mexican heritage. 

Traditional Mexican folk dances such as the sombrero dance or “jarabe Tapatio” always involve sombreros. 

Sombreros are also popular with Mexican musicians and other performers. 

7. A brief history of the sombrero hat 

The first sombreros appeared in the 15th century in Mexico, but it is unclear who invented the first sombrero. 

Maybe Mexicans adapted the idea for sombreros after seeing large-brimmed hats of travelers, possibly from the Spanish explorers.

Laborers and farmers wore straw sombreros, and the elite wore felt sombreros. Soon sombreros became a fundamental part of traditional Mexican attire.

Some historians believe that sombreros inspired many wide-brimmed hats, including the famous cowboy hats.

Sombreros protected not just the head but the face and neck, and they soon became a hit among the Mexican working class. It didn’t take long for the sombreros to rise in popularity among the rich. Hatmakers then designed more elaborate sombreros for the wealthy.

Here’s more on the history of sombreros.

8. What does a sombrero symbolize

Today, a sombrero symbolizes Mexican culture and heritage.

In older times, a sombrero hat was one of the main ways to distinguish a Mexican native, but nowadays, Mexicans only sport sombreros on culturally significant days. But they still have a lot of esteem and admiration for their sombreros. 

9. What are the purposes of a sombrero hat?

Today people wear sombreros for all sorts of purposes. Some people wear modern sombreros for fashion, while others wear them for Mexican cultural events. It’s important to remember that sombreros weren’t meant to be fun hats. And many consider it culturally unacceptable to wear sombreros for fun unless you are Mexican by heritage.

Sombreros were made especially for sun protection. Mexico has a warm climate with harsh sunlight throughout the year. Mexicans worked in fields in Mexico and the southern US under a scorching sun. They needed head covers that shield them from the sun and are comfortable and light to wear. 

At first, Mexicans wore hats imported from Europe, but these hats didn’t work against strong sunlight. Soon they started making wide-brimmed hats that totally shielded them from the sun. 

10. Do girls wear sombrero hats?

Sombreros started as men’s hats for field workers. 

But now, both men and women can wear sombreros. There are even sombreros especially made for kids.

Yes, girls can wear sombreros, but it’s essential to wear the hats in a way that doesn’t offend traditional Mexican customs. 

11. Difference between Tejano and sombrero

Tejano and sombreros look very similar. Tejanos are usually made with animal skin and have a band around the base, whereas sombreros are made with either straw or felt. 

Tejano hats are prevalent in North Mexico and Southwest US and are also known as the Texan hats. 

The brim of a Tejano is slightly curved upwards, and there’s a deep impression on the top that resembles an arrow. 

Tejano hats are also typical among cowboys in Northern Mexico.

12. Difference between gorro and sombrero

Both gorro and sombrero are Spanish words for different types of head covers.

In Spanish, gorro refers to brimless hats, while the word sombrero refers to hats with brims. And this can be any hat with a brim, not just the classic Mexican sombrero.

13. Types of sombrero hats

Today, there are many different types of sombrero hats. Sombreros are grouped by their material, quality, and purpose. 

Vientisiete: This is the highest quality sombrero hat and the hardest to make. It takes over one month to produce one of these hats. These hats are thickly woven and flexible. You can fold the hat and even fit it in a pocket.

Quinciano: These sombreros are made with straw and are specially used for outdoor work. They are also cheap and have a smaller brim size.

Diechinueve: These hats are similar to quinciano hats but with higher quality. These hats are made with a more intricate weave and are more durable. Diechinueve hats are usually customized for each buyer.

Veintiuno: Veintiuno is a high-quality version of the Diechinueve hat. 

Traditional sombreros: These are the biggest sombrero hats and are usually worn by Mariachi musicians. Traditional sombreros are also used during ceremonies and celebrations, as they are large, heavy, and impractical for everyday use. 

Full sombrero: Full sombreros are made with felt and are heavier than hats made with straw. 

Modern sombreros: Modern sombreros are not made according to traditional standards. They come in multiple colors and are used chiefly for fashion objectives and sun shelter during vacations. 

14. Sombrero hat materials 

Sombrero hats are made of either straw or felt. 

Straw: Straw sombreros are cheaper and lighter. These hats are typical among field workers who wear hats for the sole purpose of sun protection. The earliest sombreros were made with straw, and these hats became very popular among outdoor workers because you can comfortably wear them throughout the day. 

Felt: Felt sombreros are more expensive, and they are heavier. Felt is more durable than straw, so these hats last longer. Felt sombreros are common among wealthier folks rather than the working class. Some wore sombreros embellished with feathers, beads, and colorful thread for special functions.

15. Is the sombrero still used?

Some sombreros are still popular, but the traditional sombrero with a wide brim is not that common. One place where you can still see traditional sombreros is the state of Jalisco in Mexico. Even then, natives only wear the hat for cultural events. 

The main reason for the diminished popularity is that traditional sombreros have a wide brim that can be counterproductive unless you do outdoor work the whole day. It’s hard to wear or carry around such a wide-brimmed hat when walking around a busy town.

However, two groups of people absolutely love authentic, giant sombreros: Tourists and Mariachi musicians.

Tourists adore sombreros. Most tourists in Mexico buy a sombrero as a souvenir even if they don’t plan on wearing it. Mariachi are Mexican folk musicians who always wear sombreros as part of their attire. These musicians only perform when they are wearing sombreros.

Now people wear modified versions of sombreros. Modern sombreros are commonly used as sun hats. These hats don’t have very wide brims and come in various materials and colors. They don’t look very similar to an authentic sombrero, but you can wear them without offending Mexican nationals. 

Final Thoughts

Mexicans respect their sombreros, and they remain an iconic representation of Mexican heritage.

But if you wear a sombrero, make sure not to offend anyone. And if you are planning to wear a traditional sombrero on vacation or as an outfit to impress your friends, think twice.

These are cultural masterpieces to native Mexicans, and Mexicans don’t appreciate tourists and foreigners messing around with them.