Do you ladies remove your hats?

[Matt Deckard]

Just a curious question.

http://www.manyhattyreturns.com/2010/08/16/hatequette-for-women/

 

[Wconly]

Interesting article, but I would take some exeption to the Catholic church in regards to women with hats. Now the statement regarding women for some time period was true that they remove them in church during services, however it has only been in recent years that women were allowed into a Catholic Church without some type of cover or hat on. I don't have all of the dates, times, etc. regarding this, but I do believe that it may still be in force in some countrys even today. At one time in the early history of the church -- when Christianity was still very underground, women were required at all times to wear headgear of some type when in public and especially if they were on their way to relegious services (illegal at the time, by law). One of the biggest reasons during this period of history is that only charlots/prostitutes, etc. went around exposing their heads, thus the early Christians did not want to 'stand out in a crowd' for any reason. Thus, for many years, off and on depending on the Vatican's stand at the time, women were indeed required to cover their heads when attending services or just being in the church period.

Now regarding contempory times, regarding the Church, this is not true. Regarding ordinary circumstances -- i.e. restaurants, shopping, meetings, etc., daily life in general...I don't see anything wrong with women wearing their hats indoors, as it is part of a long standing tradition as applies to fashion -- dressing styles and looking like a lady. Just my two cents, for what it's worth. W>

 

[VetPsychWars]

I believe it was Vatican II (1968) where the rules changed. There is a rather famous picture of Jackie Kennedy and her daughter Caroline, I believe, praying in the church with handkerchiefs lain on their heads to conform to the rule.

Tom

 

[Edward]

In terms of religious applications, I should imagine it varies enormously even within Christianity. Back in the late Sixties / early Seventies my mother and aunt went to Martyr's Memorial in Ballymena (the original Paisleyite church) out of sheer curiosity as much as anything. They were permitted to stay for the service, but it was made explicitly clear from the pulpit that they, being the only two "sisters" in the house not wearing hats, were not welcome at communion.

 

[rue]

If I was of the era when all women wore hats I would leave my hat on, but as it is I already get strange looks just wearing it down the street. I'll leave it on if I'm stopping in a store for something quick, but I usually take it off if I'm going to be somewhere for a while. Of course, I don't wear hats that are part of my hairstyle that would need to be attached to it, so I just take it off and hang it up with my coat.

 

[Espee]

It's something of a different situation in a theater... at the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo Calif., before movies you will see a collection of old and not-quite-so-old slides admonishing patrons about various things. "Ladies-- If Someone is Bothering You, Report it to the Special Officer" or something like that. I've seen a couple variations concerning ladies removing their hats (so as not to block the view of someone sitting behind.) One version is: "LADIES Under the Age of 45 Are Asked to Remove Their HATS." I'm not sure if this is authentic, or something invented for the humor potential.... that is, some ladies would happily go along with the request even if they were actually on the uphill side of 45!