A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather

conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as

a fashion accessory.[1] In the past, hats were an indicator of social status.[2] In the military, hats may
denote nationality, branch of service, rank or regiment.[3] Police typically wear distinctive hats such as
peaked caps or brimmed hats, such as those worn by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Some
hats have a protective function. As examples, the hard hatprotects construction workers' heads from
injury by falling objects and a British police Custodian helmet protects the officer's head, a sun
hatshades the face and shoulders from the sun, a cowboy hat protects against sun and rain and
a Ushanka fur hat with fold-down earflaps keeps the head and ears warm. Some hats are worn for
ceremonial purposes, such as the mortarboard, which is worn (or carried) during university
graduation ceremonies. Some hats are worn by members of a certain profession, such as
the Toque worn by chefs. Some hats have religious functions, such as the mitres worn by Bishops
and the turban worn by Sikhs.