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.
Hat???How about "Head Gear." or maybe "Cover" :-)
You haven’t lived until you’ve had a sunburned bald head.
Because people can wash their hair twice a week and take showers every day.
That is the answer.
I can see someone who is sick and shut-in not owning a hat; anyone outside in the natural environment everyday needs a hat with about a 3-inch brim (all around).
You need to keep the sun off the face and the neck.
As to style - in depends on the shape and size of the head. Ten gallon western hats are too extreme; don't recommend them but a well-proportioned broad brimmed hat looks good and makes good sense for most people.
While I'm at it - men take your hats off when meeting a lady and going inside especially into church, funeral, wedding, or someone else’s house.
I never saw the point in wearing a hat for anything other than a broad brimmed hat for protection from the sun, or a hard hat for protection from bumps. A ski cap makes more sense and is more comfortable if you want to protect your head from cold.
As far as a fashion statement, hats just look dumb, on both men and women, IMHO.
Hats are a good protection from skin cancer.
You shaved head goobers go right ahead and go without head gear in the sun.
Skin cancer is no fun…
My Army helmet made me bald. Not really but I have worn headgear mostly baseball caps my whole life so it worked out. Sunburn scalp is not good.
Because we wash our hair more often?
This gal agrees.
My father (born 1911) and the men of his generation wore fedoras and such. Very snazzy to me. I like that look on a man.
The DH bought a fedora several years ago. He looks great in it, but he never wears it because he is tall and can’t wear it while driving.
Skin cancer. Removed ten plus years ago, no further problems.
Doc says the damage was done back when I was a teenager.
Wife starts nagging about getting a hat.
My family starts nagging about getting a hat.
Her family starts nagging about getting a hat
Sometimes you just gotta shuddup and buy the ^*)()^ hat.
Flyover country, wear a Stetson year ‘round.
I find people treat you different when the hat is on. Nice side-effect.
How many of those bars and restaurants have a hat check girl at the entrance or at least a hat rack?
I remember we used to have a restaurant that would cut your tie in half if you wore one. But you’d get a free drink.
They stopped wearing hats because they are spending most of their time indoors.
mostly because trends and styles change, but also because being “tan” became popular vs being super white, which was the ideal at that time.
We aren’t outside in the sun all day or getting rained on, and hats get in the way entering/exiting vehicles. So why wear one?
Do you take your hat off when you into a restaurant or Church?
Yep, I see them everywhere.
For DECADES, MEN wore suits EVERYWHERE....BASEBALL GAMES in particular!!
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