Invention

In the scorching heat of summer, ancient Chinese people didn't have sunscreen, but they took sun protection seriously. Though the concept of physical sunscreen is a recent development, the approach to sun protection was quite similar: "shade" was key. Follow BAZAAR CHINOISERIE to learn how ancient people protected themselves from the sun. To shield themselves from the sun while staying mobile, a sun hat is the perfect summer accessory. Surprisingly, "sun hats" aren't a modern invention; they're mentioned directly in ancient texts. For instance, during the Ming Dynasty, the "Xu Tong Dian" listed various hats, mentioning: "Sun hats were permitted for scholars entering the imperial examinations during the early Ming Dynasty. (遮阳帽，明初士人贡举入监者许戴之。)" Similarly, the "Jian Hu Ji" describes the "sun hat" as follows: "According to Ming regulations, scholars could wear large sun hats after completing their studies at the imperial college, similar to the ancient bamboo hats or the Tang dynasty silk hats. (明制。士子入胄监满日。许戴遮阳大帽。即古笠。又唐时所谓席帽也。)" In addition, there were also Weimao (帷帽) popular during the Tang and Song dynasties. These hats had thin gauze attached under wide brims, offering advanced sun protection while also shielding against some wind and dust. Curtain hats, also known as Zhaojun hats, are said to be…