Hat Etiquette Question

When one removes their hat temporarily- say, when a lady enters the elevator, or for the National Anthem- the hat should be held in a manner such that the lining is not visible. This I know. Furthermore, I am aware that when one must remove their hat for an extended period (in church, for example, or in a business meeting), it is typically hung up with one's coat. But what should one do when a coat rack/hall tree is not available, and the only place to put one's hat is on a table or desk? Should the hat be placed on the table upside down on it's crown as is standard hat-care procedure? Or should one still endeavor to hide the lining from view, setting the hat flat on it's brim, deformation be damned?

Secondly, am I correct in my assumption that all the etiquette conventions that apply to brimmed hats (fedoras, homburgs and et cetera) also apply to caps (ivy caps, 8/4 caps, and et cetera) as well?

Thank you.

If the establishment has not provided a hat rack it has no business complaining about whether your lining is showing.

Virtually nowhere I go has a proper hat rack, so if I'm in a restaurant, for example, I'll place it upside down in an available chair. If no chair is available, and if the floor is clean, I'll place it upside down under my chair.

I always thought putting the hat lining up on a side table or chair, and throwing your gloves into it looked rather debonair, not something I do often, rather something I have seen in films. I don't show the lining of my hats because they are made up of pornographic images, but does anyone know why this is the general rule?

Originally Posted by Surfrider

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When one removes their hat temporarily- say, when a lady enters the elevator, or for the National Anthem- the hat should be held in a manner such that the lining is not visible. This I know. Furthermore, I am aware that when one must remove their hat for an extended period (in church, for example, or in a business meeting), it is typically hung up with one's coat. But what should one do when a coat rack/hall tree is not available, and the only place to put one's hat is on a table or desk? Should the hat be placed on the table upside down on it's crown as is standard hat-care procedure? Or should one still endeavor to hide the lining from view, setting the hat flat on it's brim, deformation be damned? Secondly, am I correct in my assumption that all the etiquette conventions that apply to brimmed hats (fedoras, homburgs and et cetera) also apply to caps (ivy caps, 8/4 caps, and et cetera) as well? Thank you.
The problem with hat etiquette is that you are using "rules" which haven't evolved because the hat lives on the fringes. Therefore, a lot of hat rules that made sense in 1960, are a little silly today. Having said that, the fedora lounge is a good resource ^ and the two books Hatless jack http://www.amazon.com/Hatless-Jack-P...1773574&sr=1-1 and Hat Talk http://www.amazon.com/Hat-Talk-Debbi.../dp/0965115364

Sit it on your kneecap.

I would like to wear hats more often, but since there is nowhere to put it when taken off, I can`t. Putting it on the floor is out of the question, as there is no such thing as a clean, public floor.

Originally Posted by bigbris1

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Sit it on your kneecap.
It usually falls off...

On the table is no no. An unused chair is an option however if the establishment does not have the accommodations to properly store your hat then wear it. Hat etiquette is a two sided street.

Originally Posted by youngscientist

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I always thought putting the hat lining up on a side table or chair, and throwing your gloves into it looked rather debonair, not something I do often, rather something I have seen in films. I don't show the lining of my hats because they are made up of pornographic images, but does anyone know why this is the general rule?

The lining (sweatband) can accumulate a lot of sweat and dirt over time. I assume this to be even more true back in the days when people didn't wash their hair every day. Because of this, the inside of the hat can be undesirable for other people than the wearer to see, so I guess it's more polite to spare them...?

Do you people dry-clean your hats, and if so, how often?

Originally Posted by youngscientist

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I always thought putting the hat lining up on a side table or chair, and throwing your gloves into it looked rather debonair, not something I do often, rather something I have seen in films. I don't show the lining of my hats because they are made up of pornographic images, but does anyone know why this is the general rule?

?? Do share.

Originally Posted by nordicstyle

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Do you people dry-clean your hats, and if so, how often?

I don't and won't. I brush my hats with a hat brush, use a hat sponge occasionally on spots, treat the band with a leather conditioner and wear them. If I really really had to have my hats cleaned professionally I would send them to a hatter not a dry cleaner.

Originally Posted by Crane's

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I don't and won't. I brush my hats with a hat brush, use a hat sponge occasionally on spots, treat the band with a leather conditioner and wear them. If I really really had to have my hats cleaned professionally I would send them to a hatter not a dry cleaner.

But doesn't the sweatband get all, eh, sweaty? Or do you clean it often?

The lining is the lining, not the sweatband. Don't take advice from people who can't name the basic parts of a hat.

You don't dry clean hats, you send them to hat shops to be cleaned and blocked. Dry cleaners will shrink and otherwise ruin your hat. For everyday cleaning, use a hat brush. You should have one for dark hats and one for light hats (or the felt dust will contaminate the other shades). For tougher stains, hat sites sell little orange sponges that work like very fine sandpaper. Don't bother doing any of this with a poor quality wool hat - basically anything under about $100 - just toss it out and buy something of quality.

Clean a sweat with a damp paper towel.