Labor Day, seasonal hat change?

[Biltmore Bob]

Hey Doc,

When I was a Cop we wore Trooper Style hats, and those were the days of the change. Wow I forgot 'bout that, thanks!

 

[scotrace]

There it is!

You changed your hat on Straw Hat Day (Sept 15) and Felt Hat Day (May 15).

I knew this information was posted back in May, but couldn't remember the dates. Thanks!

 

[zetwal]

Since people are beginning now to think about the immanent change of season, I thought I'd remind everyone to keep calm.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_Hat_Riot

 

[WesternHatWearer]

As I was once told, "Wear a hat that matches your need based on the weather, not based on what someone else wants to sell.

 

[RJR]

Agree w/WHW above.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Agree w/WHW above.

+1

 

[gtdean48]

I change my hat styles based on the thermometer, not the calendar....

 

[M Brown]

Labor day is behind us so Summer is officially over and it's time for the things of Summer to be put away to ring in fall.

Being so, it's time to wear the felt hats. But it's 97 degrees outside today!

 

[Zombie_61]

Summer officially ends on September 23rd this year. Not that it matters to me, 'cause I'm not switching back to felt hats until the temperatures are regularly below 80°F again. Maybe below 75°F; we'll see.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

September 15 is the traditional day when men were to switch to felt. I’m thinking most of us are more pragmatic and less rule driven these days...Emily Post must be turning in her grave.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

So many rules....so little time!
B

 

[Bushman]

I'd already switched to felt and leather a while ago. The weather has unusually taken a turn for the cooler, with days in the 70s, and nights in the upper 50s, low 60s. Looks like there'll be no Indian Summer here in Chicago. Personally, I'm completely fine with it. We've had a rather mild summer overall here, and the greenery did not burn nearly as bad as it had in past summers. There have been years where I'm fighting to keep the garden green, but thankfully this year we've had moderate rain and ample cool days, keeping the flowers and lawn looking very nice. Considering the past winter's Hellish conditions, I don't mind the mild weather. It can stay 70 and sunny for the rest of September for all I care.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi
I've been wearing felt hats all summer here in Oklahoma. We've had an almost cold year with only a few days above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I would like to have a few panama's but I wear a 7 3/8 long or extra long oval and I can get Mike Moore to make 100% wild hare hats cheaper than a custom panama. I LOVE how Panama's look, but the customs are too high priced.
Later

 

[dkstott]

For the majority of summer, I've been wearing linen caps.

Back in July, I picked up a wool Wigens newsboy with a quilted lining. I wore regularly to break it in & was surprised that it wasn't too hot.

A few weeks ago, I picked up an Akubra Stylemaster and it rarely leaves my head.

I am considering removing the lining to make it a little cooler in the warmer weather.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I generally swap out my hats around 9/15 and 5/15, the old Felt Hat Day and Straw Hat Day. Anybody can follow the modern "rules" for Memorial Day and Labor Day, but as a dedicated hat guy I prefer to follow the classic, nigh-forgotten tradition.

That said, weather and comfort is an issue and there's no reason to be obsessive about it. But as of now I plan to put away my straw and unlined/vented felt hats next weekend and pull out my cooler-weather hats (including my Stylemaster!) We've had a sudden, somewhat earlier than normal shift from hot conditions to fall weather here in the last couple of days.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi Doc
I remembered that Straw hat day and felt hat day were NOT Memorial day and Labor Day but had forgotten that they were always the same day each year. Being an Okie now, I need the sun protection most of the year.
Later

 

[dkstott]

53 degrees here this morning in Connecticut. Linen caps are cleaned & put away for the season.

It'll be wool newsboy caps or my fedora's for the next 4-6 months.