Hats Off! Hats at the Turn of the 20th Century

‘Hats Off! Hats at the Turn of the 20th Century’, held at the majestic Inquisitor’s Palace and the National Museum of Ethnography in Birgu, explores how this simple yet expressive accessory has shaped European fashion, culture, and social identity for centuries, focusing on the dramatic transformations at the dawn of the modern age.

Once considered essential daily wear, hats reflected far more than style – they signalled social class, gender, and occupation. In Malta, headwear mirrored the island’s unique blend of local customs, Catholic devotion, and British colonial influence, preserving traditional tendencies well into the 20th century.

The exhibition presents a selection of remarkable pieces from the national ethnographic collection – from men’s elegant late-19th-century top hats and early-20th-century boaters and panamas to later practical fedoras and trilbies, alongside women’s cloche, pillbox, percher, and crescent designs. Hatpins and hatboxes further enrich the display.

‘Hats Off!’ runs until the end of February 2026, and admission is included in the Inquisitor’s Palace and National Museum of Ethnography experience.

The museum opens from Tuesday to Sunday, from 09:00 to 17:00 till the end of October, with the last admission at 16:30. For later opening hours, visit  https://heritagemalta.mt/opening-hours/ .

Persons with impaired mobility may find access to the exhibition area challenging because of stairs.

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