Headwear has been an essential part of fashion for nearly as long as humans have existed, yet today, people wear hats much less frequently than they used to
Since ancient Egypt and Greece, hats have played a significant role in society. Both men and women adorned their heads, with Egyptian pharaohs donning the famous Nemes headdress to signify their status. In the Middle Ages, laws were even enacted requiring everyone to wear hats in public.
The rise and fall of headwear as status symbols in society
In the centuries that followed, hats like top hats and bowlers became status symbols in English society. The bowler hat was the most commonly worn style, and headwear, in general, was an everyday essential. For generations, it was rare to see anyone step outside without a hat. But as the 1960s and ’70s arrived, this tradition began to fade. How did hats fall out of favor so quickly? Additionally, the cultural shifts of the 1960s and 1970s contributed to this trend. A generation that rebelled against tradition viewed the abandonment of hats as part of their rejection of old norms.
Hats in fashion decline due to transportation and practicality
One of the most practical reasons for the decline in hat use is the rise of modern transportation. With the increase in cars, buses, and subways, exposure to the elements—one of the main reasons for wearing hats—was significantly reduced. As society moved from horses and trains to automobiles, hats became less practical. The low ceilings of cars and buses made it uncomfortable to wear a hat, often resulting in discomfort or the hat being knocked off.
While hats have mostly faded from mainstream fashion, they haven’t completely disappeared. Today, headwear often emphasizes function over style, with items like baseball caps providing sun protection and easy storage. Traditional hats, such as top hats, still appear at events like British weddings and horse races. Military headgear has also changed considerably. Soldiers who once wore ornate hats, like bearskin caps, have shifted to more practical helmets and berets that are easier to manage. Though hats are not as common as they once were, they still fulfill a purpose in today’s world. For some, there remains a strong nostalgia for the era when nearly everyone wore a hat.
Adapted from: columbia one
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