If a player gives me a hat, is it mine forever?

[Narski]

Even through world change? Will I get to keep the hat on my account?

[MagicManICT]

If they transfer it into your hearthfire, yes, it is transferred to your account. There used to be a way to share hats so that others could wear them without the account transfer, but that was removed.

[borka]

@Magic Man ... a bit confusing this explanation ...

have hat in hand - right click char you want to give hat - transfer ownership

now imagine you have done that - the char you had given it drops it on the ground - you try to pick it up and get the message
A thing which does not belong to you vanishes into thin air- hat disappears

the char who had been transfered the ownership to right clicks hf and checks receive item will find the hat in there - which means it is his hat now

that way you may borrow or lend hats for some time too