Everything You Need to Know About Proper Hat Etiquette
So you wanna wear a pretty hat, huh? Fine. Then you need to learn how to wear it like a real lady or a gentleman.
This story was part of Retro Week , during which we lit the flow condenser and introduced you to 1950s know-how on everything from cooking casseroles to building fallout shelters to joys for kids to relax and play with trash.
There doesn’t seem to be much order when it comes to hats these days. People wear what they like, when they want and where they want. That’s all well and good, but once upon a time everyone had beautiful hats and rules to follow. Otherwise, people might immediately say that you are not a worthy member of society. Well, it’s time to bring those rules back.
When can you wear a hat
Typically, you can wear the hat outdoors, outdoors, or in public places. However, some of these public spaces may be inside . For example, you can wear a hat indoors, such as hotel lobbies, airports, train stations, long interior corridors, elevators, public transport, etc.
Ladies, you can wear hats – if it’s not a baseball cap – anywhere outdoors and indoors, including during some meals (especially outside). However, if you are wearing a baseball cap, you should follow the same rules as for men’s hats.
When to take off your hat
Guys, whether you’re wearing a hat, trilby, or baseball cap, you shouldn’t wear a hat indoors most of the time (again, some public places are fine). For example, places where hats are always prohibited include homes, schools, restaurants, cafes, churches, theaters, and some businesses (especially if you are here on business). But even if you are in an area where hats are okay, you should take them off in front of a woman. You should also take your hat off when eating, during movies, during the national anthem, during weddings, during funerals, during dedications, during photographs, and when someone introduces you.
Ladies, you should only take off your hat when it might obstruct someone’s view or cause inconvenience to others. So don’t wear your hat to the theater or while working. It should be noted that you can also wear a hat while singing the national anthem, at certain meals and when you are introduced to someone. But then again, if it’s a baseball cap, you have to follow the same rules as men.
Other tips you should know
The most important thing to know is where and when to wear hats, but there are other rules as well. Keep in mind the following:
- When removing your hat, hold it in your hand so that the inner lining is not visible.
- When you take off your hat to introduce yourself or say hello, just take your hat off your head for a moment. Accompany this gesture with a nod and a smile.
- Alternatively, you can remove your hat by grasping the brim and pulling slightly downward. If you’ve ever seen a Western, you’ve probably seen cowboys do it very often. It’s less formal than taking your hat off your head, but still a polite gesture.
- If your hat has any ornaments – feathers, pins, etc. – men should always place them on the left side of the hat. For women, the ornament should be on the front of the hat.
With this, you should be ready to show the world that you are a great performer.
This article was originally published in 2017 and updated on March 11, 2020 by Elizabeth Yuko. Updates include the following: Validated links for accuracy; an edited copy of Thematic Week; and updated formatting to reflect the current style.