The Bowler Hat’s Bolivian Origins

El famoso Bowler “Bombín” Hat de Bolivia 🇧🇴 🧐 pero where did they come from? During the 1800s, bowler hats were manufactured and shipped from England to 🇧🇴 for English railway workers residing in La Paz. However, the hats were found to be either too small for the workers or brown instead of black, resulting in a surplus of unsalable sizes and colors which were then offered to local mujeres of La Paz. But did you know… The bombín is also worn to signify the marital status 👰🏽 of a mujer. If the hat is worn in the middle, the woman is married; to the side means they are single or widowed, and some joke that a bombín worn on the back of the head means that their relationship status is “complicated” 🙅🏽‍♀️. The Cholitas hat, or sombrero de la chola paceña, has become an orgulloso symbol de trajes típicos de 🇧🇴. 📸 @lauraprudencioc