A band of fabric, ribbon, or material that wraps around the crown of a hat where it meets the brim, often used for decoration or to hold a hat feather.
From hat + band, combining Old English hæt (hat) with band (a strip of material). This compound word emerged in the 1500s as hat fashion became more elaborate and decorative.
Hatbands were actually status symbols in the 1600s—the fancier your hatband with its ribbons and feathers, the wealthier and more fashionable you appeared, similar to how designer logos work today!
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