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Why Have Most People Stopped Wearing Hats?
Greek Reporter ^ | September 17, 2024 | Christopher Gomez

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.


TOPICS: History; Society
KEYWORDS: hats
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To: dfwgator

Just right for a slow ride..


141 posted on 09/17/2024 9:32:07 PM PDT by RitchieAprile (available monkeys looking for the change..)
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To: nickcarraway
Make the goober hat/whoopee cap great again!




142 posted on 09/17/2024 10:21:24 PM PDT by Tom Tetroxide
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To: CatHerd

I just got a lovely Panama Jack for a birthday gift. I will wear it every day.

L


143 posted on 09/17/2024 10:25:22 PM PDT by Lurker ( Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is.)
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To: ducttape45
I wear 6 hats. Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, a big wide brimmed hat for when it’s really sunny. The other 3 not so obvious-

Husband

Father

Cat Grandpa

144 posted on 09/18/2024 5:09:06 AM PDT by telescope115 (I NEED MY SPACE!!! 🔭)
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To: ladyjane

I take my hat off in a restaurant, or I’ll leave it in the car.


145 posted on 09/18/2024 5:11:41 AM PDT by telescope115 (I NEED MY SPACE!!! 🔭)
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To: chickenlips

I can’t STAND seeing a man with a bun! Traitors!😡


146 posted on 09/18/2024 5:22:23 AM PDT by telescope115 (I NEED MY SPACE!!! 🔭)
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To: Songcraft

He’s not worthy to wear that hat!


147 posted on 09/18/2024 5:28:37 AM PDT by telescope115 (I NEED MY SPACE!!! 🔭)
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To: CapnJack

Not just looking good people then understood long term in the sun played hell on the skin long term time sunning ages the face is time.

Note older women who were sun bunnies their faces looks like a road map men too.

People who had skin cancer even ware long sleeve shirts in the summer per doctors orders.


148 posted on 09/18/2024 6:28:08 AM PDT by Vaduz
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To: nickcarraway

Hats have changed as have styles. Hats still have a purpose, whether blocking the sun or protecting your head from rain etc.

We have seriously gone from being formal and dressy to more slovenly and unkempt as a culture. I blame California.

Businesses have shed ties years ago, I recall being in a Goldman Sachs office 20 years ago and the senior staff were all wearing polo/golf shirts.

Look around today, young men and girls are on the lululemon craze, skin tight leggings for gals, shorts and tees for men.


149 posted on 09/18/2024 6:38:10 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: Lurker

Yes! Those are so cool! And swoon worthy! You’ll need to get a stick to beat the ladies off.

Didn’t Gregory Peck wear one in To Kill a Mockingbird?


150 posted on 09/18/2024 8:05:07 AM PDT by CatHerd (Whoever said "All's fair in love and war" probably never participated in either.)
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To: CatHerd

I believe he did. I just ordered a selection of feathers for it, too.

I do need a feather in my hat. LOL

Best,

L


151 posted on 09/18/2024 8:25:37 AM PDT by Lurker ( Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is.)
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To: nickcarraway

Do bald men wear hats because they are bald, or do hats MAKE men bald?


152 posted on 09/18/2024 10:04:38 AM PDT by faucetman (Just the facts, ma'am, Just the facts )
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To: VTenigma

They were Toobinesque.


153 posted on 09/18/2024 11:19:21 AM PDT by Disambiguator
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To: telescope115

You're right.

154 posted on 09/18/2024 4:21:00 PM PDT by Songcraft
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