‘礼帽’ (lǐ mào) literally means ‘ceremonial hat’ — ‘礼’ (lǐ) refers to ritual, ceremony, or formal etiquette, and ‘帽’ (mào) means ‘hat’. Together, they denote a formal, tall, cylindrical hat traditionally worn by men in Western-style formal attire, especially during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Though no longer everyday wear, it remains iconic in historical dramas, theatrical performances, and formal masquerades.

In modern Chinese, ‘礼帽’ carries a nostalgic or stylistic connotation — it’s rarely used to describe contemporary fashion but appears frequently in literature, period films, and descriptions of vintage elegance. It is distinct from ordinary hats like ‘棒球帽’ (baseball cap) or ‘鸭舌帽’ (flat cap), emphasizing formality and historical association rather than function or casual use.