I wasn’t allowed to go to church as a little girl without a hat and gloves. All the men wore hats on the street, too; and took them off if they entered a building or stopped to speak with a lady.
In terms of style, it was a much cooler time.
I agree! Whenever I see a man wearing a suit, I point out to my husband how nice that is, but it doesn't seem to get through. Our oldest son (22) has a lot of style, though. He often puts on a jacket to go out.
My Gramp would “tip” his hat when a lady passed by and say “How do.” I miss him. A true gentleman.
Watch this video of an informal crowd in 1958:
Anita O’Day - Sweet Georgia Brown & Tea for Two (Live @ Newport Jazz Festival 1958)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcMmVGrzpy8&t=153s
Same here. I also wore gloves when traveling by plane or train, or going into "The City" (San Francisco).
All the men wore hats on the street,...”
Had to laugh. The guys all wear hats now but baseball caps, even though most couldn’t hit a ball if their life depended on it. I grew up in the era of men wearing “real” hats. In our small town there were two shops that kept quite busy cleaning and blocking men’s hats. Another profession that has been lost in the U.S.
When I was a teen and for a few years after that we wore white cotton gloves with everything and everywhere - and they were sparkling white. Miss those days.
My first big boy job was in Manhattan. Dress for success was spelled out to me very early the first week : Navy or gray suit. Pinstripes OK. No brown or green suits (makes you look weak and/or like a forest ranger). White shirt or blue. No pattern.
When I moved back west 10 years later and wore a blue blazer/gray slacks to work, I felt naked.
No kidding.