It's striking how much our dress code changed in such a short time. My own father's idea of "casual" was dress slacks and button down (dress) shirt. In the workplace, it was a full business suit with vest and yes, usually a dress hat. In his era, no grown man would be caught in public with dungarees, sneakers and t-shirt.
Similarly, the women all wore dresses and skirts. All the time. A woman with "pants" was somewhat scandalous.
When JFK did his 1961 inauguration without a top hat, that was when everything started changing. The Beatles accelerated that further but even in the early days of the The Beatles (and Rolling Stones), they were outfitted in suits.
I for one am glad it changed. I dislike in general when fashion is elevated over practicality.
I recently watched the 1968 Tigers v. Cardinals World Series.
Men in the stands wore white shirts and ties. The women wore dresses and long sleeve gloves.
It is called pride in oneself and country.