Sophie Wessex hat today at Ascot

[MrsJakeLovell]

I feel a bit uncomfortable with the fact that the hat is called a 'Coolie'.

Yes, I know the name is a style of hat but isn't the word considered derogatory these days?

www.janetaylorlondon.com/shop/new-arrivals/patent-braided-coolie/

You lot are so good at articulating my thoughts and feelings I need help to rationalise this!

@hellsbellsmelons

My late grandmother (Asian) used to wear them in the summer! She wasn’t a labourer though!

That hat shape has been described as that for centuries. It’s only recently the word was used about people. It’s the traditional sun shade hat of China and Japan and in Japan you see them quite a lot in the countryside. Ignorant people have used the name of a hat to describe people and now we find it offensive. It was used to describe immigrant Chinese labourers. It’s still the name of the hat although maybe “conical” might be better now? Just waiting for top, bowler, turban, deerstalker, bearskin and pill box to become offensive!

You would not expect Royalty get their hats from M&S would you? Hopefully she will wear it again. I loved it.