It is believed to originate around the 8th Century. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments
The modest pom-pom represents much more than just a style choice. Bobble hats boast a lengthy and intricate background spanning numerous nations, and the charming adornment was even at one time deployed on the war zone.
Nevertheless, after a minuscule figure was discovered on a Swedish farm in 1904, the trendsetters were considered to be the Vikings, dating back to 790 AD. Freyr, the Norse deity of tranquility, fruitfulness, rain, and sunlight, was portrayed sporting a hat or helmet embellished with a pom-pom, and it is uncertain whether the hat was purely ornamental or whether it fulfilled an alternative role, such as signifying status.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Read more: 10 baby names every parent should avoid in 2026 – ‘cringe’
Read more: Sainsbury’s Tu shoppers ‘can’t believe compliments’ wearing £14 cardigan
The day’s biggest headlines in UK and World news Subscribe Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Get More of Our News on Google
Set Daily Express as a ‘Preferred Source’ to get quicker access to the news you value.
Despite the continuous connection to the pom-pom remaining indefinite, the Vikings stormed Scotland in the latter part of the 8th Century, and classic hats that carried a bobble or ‘toorie’ in the Scottish Highlands, recognised as balmorals or glengarries, gradually came into use to pinpoint the wearer’s division. By the 18th Century, the relaxed beret evolved into a Scottish emblem.
Bobbles were also employed to represent battalions and positions in Napoleon’s soldiers in the 19th Century, concurrently aiding in differentiating combatants amid the mayhem of conflict.
French mariners were believed to have used them to assist in safeguarding their heads from striking low roofs in turbulent seas.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
This employment in France might elucidate the derivation of the fascinating term. Similarly to thousands of terms in the English vocabulary, pom-pom is considered to have stemmed from French, with ‘pompon’ denoting bobble, or a diminutive sphere of material.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
From warfare to faith, the Roman Catholic clergy have traditionally donned birettas with pom-poms in assorted hues to signify status and vocation.
Whereas in South America, they were donned for a completely distinct rationale. Indigenous groups fastened pom-poms to garments and headwear to symbolise conjugal status.
Subsequently, in the 20th century, throughout the Great Depression, pom-poms commenced their shift from being a symbolic representation to a style preference.
Garment producers started utilising surplus yarn to fabricate pom-poms, which contributed a hint of elegance to hats during a period of considerable economic difficulty. At present, bobble hats are routinely spotted across the globe.