National Museum of the U.S. Navy

This was the first officer's hat in the U.S. Navy following the Revolutionary War. The hat is round with the sides folded up and tied with a bow. The gold tassles are decoration. At first, the hats folded to fit under an officer's arm, but later they were made to stay open. The cocked hat was also called the "fore and aft," and was worn for many years until World War II.