when did the hat die?

BerniniCaCO3 · Oct 22, 2007

Btw, on the subject of hats from two other threads,
when did the hat die?

I see almost *no one* wearing a hat. Very occasional ski cap, baseball cap at best.

Watch old movies, and every man had a fedora; watch period films, and in the 19th ce it was a top hat. Today, whether movies or walking down the street--nothing... where did the hat go??

Joel_Cairo · Oct 22, 2007

allegedly, JFK's inaugural sounded the death-knell, but it had been on the way out for ages. I'm sure others here will know more than I do on this topic however.

Laffertron · Oct 22, 2007

I'd like to wear a trilby on the way to work, but I don't want to come across as being too eccentric... maybe us SFers need to bring the hat back.

California Dreamer · Oct 22, 2007

I think hats are already coming back. I see a lot of young men wearing a trilby. Both my sons asked for black fedoras, which they wear regularly. I fully expect to see many panamas this summer.

I'm not sure where this all comes from, but I do think that there is a grounsdwell under way amid the trendoids that will quite possibly bring hats back to the mainstream.

medwards · Oct 22, 2007

http://www.amazon.com/Hatless-Jack-P.../dp/0452285232

flylot74 · Oct 22, 2007

I've started wearing hats. Last winter I wore several tweed flat caps and a wide brim In dy style while hunting. This summer I wore a straw western (when working outdoors in the yard) and a panama. Just recently I purchased a couple of snap brims, one gray and one brown.

I've started because :
1. I think they add to a splendid look.
2. It's a revolt against the revolting, i.e. baseball caps worn every which way.

FWIW, I get many favorable comments about my hats, expecially women. They often comment how it add so much to what I am wearing at the time.

You should check out the Fedora Lounge. Some of the SF folks are members there, including yours truly.

texas_jack · Oct 22, 2007

Hats never fell out of fashion with African americans.

AlanC · Oct 22, 2007

Originally Posted by texas_jack

Hats never fell out of fashion with African americans.

When I'm out with a hat on, particularly when wearing a Panama (as opposed to a felt), I hardly ever fail to receive at least one compliment from an African American on my hat, usually men but often women, too. It happens constantly.

kakemono · Oct 22, 2007

Though I don't have an answer... it is quite the coincidence that this topic was brought up now...

A new Barnes and Noble recently opened by me so I went to look around and there was a calendar of panoramic shots of sports stadiums. One shot was an older picture and my friend mentioned how EVERY person in that staadium had a had on.

I'm not sure that I could muster the courage to wear a hat here around campus. Well, besides a baseball cap - which I wear only when I wake up late and don't have time to take a shower - thus icky hair.

Thomas · Oct 22, 2007

I've read Kennedy marked the end of the chapeau. I've worn a Stetson on occasion, some straw hats here and there, and a Hogan cap for golf, but the Mrs hated the Hogan cap so away it went.

Besides, I have less hair than I used to, and I'll be damned if I'm going to hide what little I still have. Once it's gone, the Hogan cap will return.

limping_decorum · Oct 22, 2007

I like hats...... I hate hat hair.

I loathe baseball hat/new ear fitted/limited edition wide brim bullshit.

lawyerdad · Oct 22, 2007

Originally Posted by limping_decorum

I like hats...... I hate hat hair.

I loathe baseball hat/new ear fitted/limited edition wide brim bullshit.

I wonder if there might be some correlation between the decline in hat-wearing and what I imagine (although I don't really know) have been gradually changing cultural norms regarding the washing and styling of men's hair.

onion · Oct 22, 2007

I was thinking of buying a nice fedora or trilby, but I'm not sure how people would take it, and that's a lot of money to just put on a rack. I would love to see them make a comeback... anything to replace these wretched dirty/ripped up baseball caps I see on everyone.

yachtie · Oct 22, 2007

I've worn Fedoras since my early twenties (over 25 years now) and regarding them I really don't care what anyone else thinks. Truth be told, I don't remember ever getting anything but compliments for wearing one- even when in my early twenties. Lot of worrying going on for no apparent reason IMO.

gorgekko · Oct 22, 2007

Originally Posted by Joel_Cairo

allegedly, JFK's inaugural sounded the death-knell, but it had been on the way out for ages. I'm sure others here will know more than I do on this topic however.
John F. Kennedy did in fact wear a hat at his inaugural but removed it for the swearing in and speech.

I believe it was the fact that he eschewed hats for daily wear that helped do them in.

when did the hat die?

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