MoxVlog

IT'S the Easter tradition that is as well known as chocolate eggs and hot cross buns.

Around the world each year, people don fancy homemade hats to celebrate the religious holiday.

Why do we make Easter bonnets?

Ever wondered where the practice for wearing an Easter bonnet originated?

According to Christian tradition, the fashion for new bonnets came thanks to Easter being known as a time for renewal.

With the fasting of Lent over and people keen to mark the religious occasion, female churchgoers were eager to make and show off their new clothes, including hats.

So this started the tradition of wearing Easter bonnets.

Why are they called Easter bonnets and why do we have parades?

The word "bonnet" is used rather than "hat", as it refers to the type of headgear that was popular at the time.

But it wasn't until the 1870s that the custom of Easter bonnets really took off thanks to the New York City Easter Parade.

This would see women dressed up to the nines parade along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to flaunt their new hats.

The parade then grew in popularity and in the 1940s up to one million took part.

This was also partly due to the popularity of the 1948 film Easter Parade starring Fred Astaire and Julie Garland.

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What do people do today with Easter bonnets?

The New York parade takes place today with people keen to show off their new bonnets, although it is a much smaller affair with around 30,000 people taking part.

And now the trend is to wear the most outlandish hat possible and decorate it with model birds, eggs and even rabbits.

Many schools in the UK participate in the tradition too.

But if you're more focused on the chocolate this Easter, take a look at our creme egg recipe guide. 

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