This article is part of Latin Post's On the Road series. Follow our adventures at #LPOTR. 

Throughout history, hats have made a statement in entertainment, politics and pop culture as a symbol of sophistication, "status, occupation, and even political affiliation."

Hats have literally been a part of the fabric of our country -- from President Abraham Lincoln's top hat, Charlie Chapman's bowler, and Indiana Jones' fur felt Fedora to the many felt Fedoras of "Mad Men" star Don Draper to "Breaking Bad's" Walter White's Pork Pie and Ferrell's "Happy Hat" that even has its own Facebook page.

Women in history have also had a love affair with hats -- from Britain's Queen Elizabeth who has wowed the world with her array of fancy hats to Audrey Hepburn's top, saucer hat with a pink sash in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," and "My Fair Lady" star Eliza Doolittle's black and white towering Ascot.

On April 30, 2011, the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton sparked a resurgence of interest in the hat and fascinator world with fashionistas flocking to designer Vivien Sheriff.

Upon a visit to Austin, Texas, to attend the Pachanga Latino Music Festival, I was able to get a closer look at some of the finest hats made in the world, including Sheriff's finest English hats and headpieces as well as the Borsalino of Italy, and Christy's of London at the Hatbox: A Modern Haberdashery.

The Hatbox, which "features exclusive women's and men's hats, whimsical fascinators and practical caps from around the world," also represents Stetson Dress, Biltmore, Resistol, Beaver Brand, and others such as Dobbs, Bailey, Kangol, Scala, Dorfman Pacific, Broner, Barmah and Shady Brady.

"The inclusion of designers such as Cha Cha's of Brooklyn and Milli Starr from here in Austin promote the highest of current fashion and re-vintaged style while the store's cocktail hats division for women exhibits the ultimate 'spring affair' and 'after five' collection," said Ryder Turner, a Hatbox employee and son of the owner.

"We have been open for 40 years now. We originated to Houston. [Owner Lauri Turner] opened the store with her sister. Back then it was just knick-knacks, T-shirts and random stuff like that. Eventually, we made our way up to having a few hats in the store, and after that, we just became a full-blown haberdashery.

"We have a lot of musicians in, a lot of actors and a lot of very high-powered businessmen. In my time here, I have seen a lot of people that most people never get to meet in their entire lives. The culture behind hats was slowly dying out, but there is actually is a bit of a revival now -- and we're a part of that."

Hollywood A-listers have flocked to downtown Austin's Hatbox, including lead singer of the Rolling Stones Mick Jagger, singer Willie Nelson, actress Susan Sarandon, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and WWE wrestler Mark William Calaway also known as "The Undertaker," and Giancarlo Esposito, who played Gustavo "Gus" Fring in AMC's "Breaking Bad."

Jagger bought the official hat of Austin, the Cannabis Western, "The Undertaker" bought an Amish style hat, and Sarandon purchased eight hats.

According to Ryder, "Breaking Bad's" Esposito took a cue from Bryan Cranston's character Walter White, who was known for his black, Pork Pie hat when he transformed into his alter ego, Heisenberg. Esposito is a longtime customer of the Hatbox and has purchased fur felt Fedoras, such as a Stetson Inwood and a classic Borsalino of Italy.

Ryder, 19, who has seen the evolution of his mother's business while growing up, will embark on an internship in England where he will learn how to make and restore hats by weaving straw and cutting feathers as well as learning how to expand the business.

"Hats have continued to thrive through the ages with their most prevalent time being between the 18th and early half of the 20th centuries. Up until the end of the 1700s, giant plumed hats, like the tricorne and bicorne, ruled the day. These ostentatious headpieces could be perched safely upon powdered wigs and were favored by King Louis XIV and Napoleon," according to the Hatbox.

"During the Revolution, as 'class' definition was fought against, the top hat became a symbol of change. It was worn by men in every social category signaling the transition from the flamboyant aristocracy to the urbane sophistication of modernity.

"Throughout the 1900s hats continued to dominate as a 'modern' fashion choice with one of the most famous styles: the Fedora. It is an everyman's hat -- a true icon -- which, prevailing in popularity for almost a century, shows no signs of going out of style."