A toque is a type of hat that can have a narrow brim or no brim at all. The word "toque" has its roots in the Breton language, where it means "hat". Toques were popular in Europe from the 13th to the 16th century, especially in France, and were later revived in the 1930s. In modern times, the term "toque" has a few different meanings:
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Chefs Hat: A toque blanche, often shortened to toque, is a tall, round, pleated, starched white hat worn by chefs. The modern toque is popularly believed to have originated with the French chef Marie-Antoine Carême, who stiffened the casque à meche (stocking cap) with cardboard.
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Winter Hat: In Canada, a warm knitted hat is often referred to as a toque, which originated from the French word "tuque" that describes the knitted caps traders wore to keep their heads warm. Toques are also known as beanies, woolen caps, knit caps, or watch caps.
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Judicial Hat: In the past, a toque was the traditional headgear of various French magistrates.
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Fashion Hat: In the 16th century, a toque was a hat worn by French noblemen, often with varying types and numbers of plumes. A velvet toque with a narrow, sometimes turned-up brim, a full crown, and usually a plume, was worn by men and women in 16th-century France.
Overall, the meaning of "toque" can vary depending on the context and time period.
