Definition of cloche

The origin of the word "cloche" can be traced back to the French language, specifically the French word "cloche," which means "bell" in English. In the context of fashion, a cloche hat, also known as a bell hat, was first introduced in the 1920s as part of the popular flapper style. The hat, similar in shape to a bell, was designed to sit close to the head, covering the forehead and neckline, and tapering down to the chin in a bell shape. The bell shape of the hat gave women a sleek and sophisticated look, while also providing them with protection from the wind and rain. The term "cloche" quickly became popular in the English language to describe this hat style, as it accurately reflected the bell shape of the hat. Today, the term "cloche" is still used to describe hats with a similar shape, though they are less common in modern fashion than they were in the past.