Military headgear

Historically, the pillbox hat began as a form of military headgear. During the late Roman Empire, the pileus pannonicus or "Pannonian cap", a type of headgear similar to the modern pillbox, was worn by Roman soldiers. A similar hat was popular with the Flemish in the Middle Ages. In the 19th century pillboxes were worn by the units of the British Army and its overseas possessions as well as by the Boys Brigade. In some countries, especially those of the Commonwealth of Nations, a pillbox-like forage cap, often with a chin strap, can still be seen on ceremonial occasions. The Royal Military College of Canada dress uniform includes such a hat, and similar caps were standard issue for the Victorian era British Army. Another cap called a kilmarnock is a modern version of the traditional headdress worn by members of virtually all Gurkha regiments.^[2]

Fashion headgear

Jacqueline Kennedy arriving in Dallas, 1963

The modern woman's pillbox hat was created by milliners in the 1930s, and gained popularity due to its elegant simplicity. Pillbox hats were made out of wool, velvet, organdy, mink, lynx or fox fur, and leopard skin, among many other materials. They were generally designed in solid colors and were unaccessorized, but could include a veil.^[1]

Jacqueline Kennedy, First Lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963, was well known for her "signature pillbox hats", designed for her by Halston, and was wearing a pink one to match her outfit on the day of her husband United States President John F. Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, Texas.^[3] Actress Natalie Portman wore a pillbox hat to play Kennedy in the 2016 biographical drama Jackie.^[4]