The Amelia Earhart Leather Aviator Hat: Where This Timeless Style Comes From

You know the silhouette the moment you see it: soft leather hugging the head, earflaps folded down, that unmistakable pilot look. At Côté Cuir, more than one customer has asked us for the exact hat Amelia Earhart wore crossing the Atlantic. Turns out, it's a style people never really stopped wearing.

Where it comes from

In 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air, as a passenger. In 1932, she did it again, alone, at the controls. In photos from that era, she's wearing a fitted brown leather cap. It wasn't just a fashion choice. It was a necessity.

In the early 1900s, many cockpits were open, the wind was brutal, and engine noise was deafening. Leather quickly became the material of choice to protect pilots' heads: warm, durable, weatherproof, flexible enough to mold to the wearer's head. Often lined with fur or shearling, fitted with large earflaps and a chin strap, this style of hat became standard gear for aviators, worn by Charles Lindbergh and hundreds of lesser-known pilots alike. Earhart's own leather cap, worn during her 1928 Atlantic crossing and rediscovered decades later, sold at auction for $825,000 in 2022, a testament to how closely the object is tied to her image.

A style born from function, not the other  way around

What makes this hat interesting is that it was designed for fonction first. Amelia Earhart shared that practical approach: she later designed her own clothing line, built for movement and practicality rather than appearance. The result: in 1934, she was named one of the ten best-dressed women in America. The aviator hat carries that same signature. A practical piece, no frills, that became a symbol anyway.

That's exactly why this style hasn't aged. It was never just a trend. It's an attitude.

Get the look at Côté Cuir

If you want to bring this look home, our Simon model, the classic leather aviator hat, captures the spirit of Earhart's Iconic look, especially in Chestnut Brown, Antique Brown, and Cognac. Made from genuine leather, it keeps the vintage feel while being handcrafted right here in Quebec.

For a more modern take, the Henry model keeps the same silhouette while being built to accommodate headphones, a practical nod to today. And for anyone who wants to go all in on the pilot look, the William model, a full black leather aviator helmet, completes it.

Every hat is handmade with natural quality materials, including genuine leather. These aren't mass-produced copies. They're hats built to last, and inspired by the spirit of early days of aviation.

A tip from our workshop

Choosing an aviator hat isn’t just about the look. Think about when you’ll wear it: our lighter leather styles are suited to spring, summer and fall, while sheepskin- or fur-lined models are better suited to colder weather.

Fit matters, too. Measure your head and check the size chart for your chosen model. You can also leave your head measurement in the order notes. We check each hat’s size in our workshop before shipping.