Hat trends across the world.

[Torpedo]

Hello,

It is generally accepted that hats began to fall out of fashion in the 50s in the USA; in the 40s you see plenty of hats, they begin a decline in the 50s and pretty much are in the minority by the 60s.

I know this is generalization, that there are regional differences, etc.

It may be my impression, but could it be the demise of the hat was more precocious in Europe, or at least parts of it (Mediterranean areas first?), by about a decade?

What do you think?

 

[mayserwegener]

I know from collecting German made hats that I run into many 1960s and early 70s dress Fedoras. The Homburg also had a pretty long run into the late 1960s early 70s. Seems about the same as the USA.

 

[150719541]

Difference between ¡¡¡

I believe what the hats are still alive, obvious, other clothes are being using by new generations like baseball caps and others, also believe what the European models have difference with USA hats, on finished and styles, the European hats are more sober and serious than all american hats (inclusive latin american). The new generation are wearing hats again, althought some use a rare fedora styles. (like rock and roll musicians).
Saludos desde S.L.P. México.:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Van De Laak]

Scratching my head... why not more people wear a hat?

I am from the Netherlands, but live in Hong Kong since 10 years or so. I always wonder why not more men / women wear a hat here, or any other place for that matter? In Hong Kong there is a lot of intense sunshine, but people don't wear hats!? Instead.. they (mostly females, because they prefer a white complexion, which is perfectly ok of course) resort to using annoying umbrellas (just umbrellas mostly, not even parasols) to provide shade. (I hate this, as umbrella block the way, and are just scary eye-popping things) Also often used shade providing methods are: holding magazines, shopping bags, newspapers or just their hands above their heads to prevent that the sun will 'blemish' their skin. Why not wear a nice hat instead?

There are no specialist hat stores here, while it could be a booming business. Scratching my hat/head

 

[Pompidou]

Hats mess up your hair. That's the biggest con to wearing one. I was forced to change my hairstyle slightly, because after a couple hours wearing my hat, my head was shaped like Herman Munster's.

 

[Van De Laak]

Ah, yes... that must be one big reason. I don't have that problem, as I am bald.

 

[Travis Lee Johnston]

A traditional haircut that's shaved around the ears and neck makes wearing a hat less messy on the hair style. So long as you don't go heavy on the product you use. Plus it just screams class.

It sounds like you answered your own question in the last line Mr. Laak. Noone wears a hat cause they can't find a specialist.

It might just be too old fashioned for the times. I see mostly cheap cowboy hats here. Occasionally a straw "fedora" type lid, but usually on a senior citizen.
Very seldom do I see a felt fedora or a really nice straw. Which is insane considering this is the "valley of the sun".

 

[Sam Craig]

As I have gotten older, my hair has gotten courser.
My barber, for years, suggested a couple of years ago that I go with really short hair or stop wearing hats.
I now keep my hair just beyond crewcut length and keep the hat on pretty much all day.

Sam

 

[avedwards]

To answer the thread's original question, I get the impression that fedora wearing declined earlier in the UK than in the US. At least that's the impression I get from films, books and my grandfather who apparently never wore a hat despite being born in 1916 and quite well off for the times.

 

[Hal]

To answer the thread's original question, I get the impression that fedora wearing declined earlier in the UK than in the US. At least that's the impression I get from films, books and my grandfather who apparently never wore a hat despite being born in 1916 and quite well off for the times.

You are basically right; hats were falling out of favour in the UK by the middle 1930s. Films can be unreliable, as producers portray their idea of the era which may be idealised or otherwise inaccurate. Books are better: see George Orwell's "Keep the Aspidistra flying" (c.1935) to note Gordon's attitude. Those born after the middle 1930s were, on the whole, not brought up to wear a hat, except for the hated school cap. I cannot remember my father ever wearing a hat in my lifetime - and he was born 20 years earlier than your grandfather.
Germany may be another matter; a German friend wore a hat (with an overcoat) into the 1970s, and I was told that there was a 1950s saying "man geht nicht ohne Hut."

 

[Saint-Just]

I would have though that the demise of the hat in Italy was brought at least in part by the Vespa