Posted on 09/17/2024 3:27:34 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Image of Yonge Street crowd celebrating the end of the Boer War in 1900, with the majority of people in the image wearing hats. Credits: William James / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain Headwear has been an essential fashion item for almost as long as it has existed, but people these days are not wearing hats as often as they used to in times past.
Since ancient Egypt and ancient Greece, people have worn headwear. Men and women commonly used headwear, and pharaohs wore their iconic Nemes striped headcloth to communicate their status. In the Middle Ages, there were laws requiring everyone to wear hats.
Later, top and bowler hats were used for centuries in English society, where they distinguished men and women of status. In the US, bowler hats were the most used form of headwear, and hats, in general, were commonplace.
For centuries, one would be hard-pressed to find anyone who left their home without headwear. However, as the ’60s and ’70s rolled around, hats became less and less common. So, how did hats fall from popular fashion to an item people could do without so quickly?
The disappearance of hat wearing
Rumors circulate about the disappearance of the hat from modern fashion. The most prominent of these relates to President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was always bare-headed, and with his extreme popularity, it is believed that his lack of a hat may have come to represent modern fashion.
Grecian Delight supports Greece
With the rise of a generation known for rebelling against traditional norms in the ’60s and ’70s, it makes sense why caps would be ousted from fashion.
The implications of transportation modes on hat usage However, the most likely reason for the lack of a hat is the rise of vehicles and public transportation. Thanks to advancements in transportation technology, society has rapidly transformed to the point where it is hard to conceptualize how fast the change has taken hold in how the world works today.
In a few decades, man’s primary mode of transportation went from horses and trains to cars, buses, and subway systems. Humanity’s exposure to the elements significantly decreased with the advent of these vehicles. Suddenly, a hat became cumbersome, making one duck when leaving an automobile or a bus. It often got knocked off and became uncomfortable for the user.
Just because hats have disappeared from popular fashion doesn’t mean they are not still utilized. Headwear these days is more focused on protection from the sun, like easily stored baseball caps, arguably one of the more popular forms of headwear. In terms of the top hats of old, they still find their place at British weddings and horse races.
Military personnel worldwide still wear headwear. However, the form of headdress has changed significantly throughout the centuries. Earlier, they would wear large bearskin caps and other more extravagant forms of headwear.
With the arrival of guns, military headwear has changed to more practical hard helmets and berets that can easily be stored when soldiers need to switch to their helmets.
While hats aren’t as popular these days as before, they still find their use in the modern world. However, there will always be those who wish for the old days when hats could be found on every head on the street.
I wear a hat to keep the blood out of my eyes when I’m slaying my enemies.
This is maybe old school lexicon but head covers that have a visor are called caps and head covers with a 360 degree brim are hats.
I just wish people would stop wearing pajamas in public. It’s worse then the “bum wear” that started in the 90s.
The Army made me wear a hat and I always hated hats ,LOL
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The MC calls the head gear ‘covers.’
Never saw him even in a pair of shorts. He used to give me such a hard time for wearing them! Said they were for little boys.
Dwindling testosterone levels is my bet.
We went from really sharp fedoras to man buns.
Pajamas and slippers a common sight at WalMart
Because people were outdoors for much longer periods or time in earlier generations, it was a fashion/status statement, and it kept the sun out of your face and eyes.
“It’s not a bald spot…it’s a solar panel for a sex machine.” — Seen at Crazy Shirts Hawaii.
You nailed it. Thanks.
I wear a hat so hot brass won’t land behind my sunglasses and burn my eyelid. Ouch!
I wear a hat on bad hair days.
Well, maybe so, but I grew up in post WWII SoCal and don't recall ever seeing men wearing hats. In fact, seeing men wearing hats in movies always struck me as odd>
I KNOW!! When my dad died, he had 12 DOZEN SILK BOW TIES UNUSED, so everyone that came to the funeral GOT and WORE ONE OF HIS BOW TIES!! BABIES et al!! IT WAS ADORABLE!!
I wear a boonie cap most places. Southern Arizona and I spend a LOT of time outdoors. Needs some shade 360 degrees around my noggin. Tilley makes some good cotton hats too.
Regardless how many of the trailer park trash vote “YEAH,” a baseball cap IS NOT a hat.
Certain caps, such as flat caps, can be perfectly acceptable as a civilized head covering. But not baseball caps. The only time they’re acceptable is when accompanied by cleats, stirrup hose, and Beechnut chew.
Most everybody wears hats around here, women somewhat included. Cowboy hats and baseball style caps.
Good response!
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