Hat box

A more generic term for a box used to carry garments, including headgear, is a bandbox.

[1] Hat boxes may be made of a range of materials, including cardboard, leather or metal.

More luxurious models may be padded and lined in materials such as silk in order to protect the headgear.

[3] The concept derives from the earlier bandbox, which was used to store and protect ruffs (also called standing bands or neckbands) in the 17th century.

New York Historical Society archives include a crescent shaped cardboard design thought to be from the early to mid 19th century and attributed to the New York City hatmaker Elisha Bloomer; Canadian archives include a tin design curved to match the tricorne-style military hat worn by Isaac Brock and dating from 1812.

A collection of vintage branded hat boxes of varying sizes
A boy carrying an assortment of hat boxes in New York City c. 1912
Hat boxes may be made of a variety of materials, including metal.