A fez is a short, flat-topped hat shaped like an upside-down flowerpot, usually made of red felt with a black tassel hanging from the center of the top. The fez became popular in the Ottoman Empire (which ruled parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa for over 600 years) and is still worn today in some countries, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East.

In the 1800s, an Ottoman sultan made the fez part of the official dress code for government workers and soldiers, hoping to modernize and unify his empire's appearance.

Today, you might see a fez worn during certain ceremonies, as part of traditional dress, or simply as a distinctive hat choice. In American culture, members of the Shriners (a charitable organization) wear fezzes as part of their tradition. You might also spot fezzes in museums or in old photographs from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Some people wear them just for fun or style, enjoying the hat's unique shape and rich history.