Aretha Franklin's Most Iconic Hat Moments! We've Rounded Up 16 Of Her Best

Resting in peace, Aretha Franklin, the late Grammy Award-winning songbird was renowned for her vocal prowess and stirring soulfulness, but she was also known for making a bold statement with her iconic hats. The particular hat styles that Franklin often wore were dubbed the ‘church lady hat’ for their symbolic connection to Black women, gospel music and Sunday church services — all the elements that helped to build the foundation for Franklin’s image and her musical empire. To date, her most famous hat perhaps was the bow-tied version that she wore to sing at Barack Obama’s first Presidential Inauguration in 2009; the beautifully crafted grey rhinestone number was as lasting a memory at the inauguration, along with her timeless performance. See below for our collection of the best hats worn by Aretha Franklin!