It seems that the coppola (flat cap), universally considered the distinctive mark of Sicilian men, was actually born in the U.K. In the Middle Ages, English men of all social classes wore it. Later, its use was more exclusive to the bourgeoisie and it became known as tweed cap. It appeared in Sicily, in fact, when certain British families moved to Sicily in search of business between the 19th and the 20th century. From that moment onwards the coppola became a cornerstone of the Sicilian culture: not just a hat, but a true symbol of belonging. Nowadays it is a sought-after souvenir, which can be bought at “La coppola storta” (the crooked flat cap), specialized in its manufacture.
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