Esquire comment on hats

[docneg]

In the current issue of Esquire magazine, a reader asks the style editor for guidance in hat etiquette (page 46). The editor responds, "The rules governing the doffing of hats are as odd and anachronistic as the people who still insist on wearing them."

I feel strangely insulted and complimented at the same time. Especially from a writer who goes on at length in the same column about which type of lapel is all right on a tuxedo.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

i was rather amused by the comment he gave about hats, as well. i was even going to go as far as write the author & suggest a few tips that even he could abide by when it came to hats. but, alas, i decided not to...

 

[HatSoup]

It's easy to insult someone when they aren't physically present to hit you in the face.

 

[Tomasso]

Both Esquire and GQ have long ago.....

 

[Matt Deckard]

I'm not really looking to Esquire as an authority when it comes to information on menswear.

Get a copy of British GQ and you'll see a magazine that's on the ball.

 

[tonyb]

In the current issue of Esquire magazine, a reader asks the style editor for guidance in hat etiquette (page 46). The editor responds, "The rules governing the doffing of hats are as odd and anachronistic as the people who still insist on wearing them."

I feel strangely insulted and complimented at the same time. Especially from a writer who goes on at length in the same column about which type of lapel is all right on a tuxedo.

If there's any value in being on the receiving end of such snootiness, it could be that it's a reminder against pitching any.

Odd and anachronistic? That ain't so bad, I suppose. It could fairly be argued that I am indeed both those things, and if that's the worst a person can say about me, well, hold my room in Heaven. But that "people who still insist on wearing them" line sounds like I'm being likened to, say, people who "insist" on talking loudly on their cell phones in restaurants.

I'm right with you, docneg. This guy's apparent attempt at diminishing hat wearers kinda does the opposite, in the end.

 

[Feraud]

In the current issue of Esquire magazine, a reader asks the style editor for guidance in hat etiquette (page 46). The editor responds, "The rules governing the doffing of hats are as odd and anachronistic as the people who still insist on wearing them."

I feel strangely insulted and complimented at the same time. Especially from a writer who goes on at length in the same column about which type of lapel is all right on a tuxedo.

Such are the enigmatic vagaries of following fashion.

Both Esquire and GQ have long ago.....

lol Funny!

 

[carter]

Another excellent reason to ignore Esquire magazine. Spiro T. Agnew had it right when (not referring to Esquire) he coined the phrase "nattering nabobs of negativism".*
Agnew also referred to the press/media as "an effete corps of impudent snobs".
Politics aside, the man could turn a phrase.

*this term was first used during Agnew's address to the California Republican state convention in San Diego on September 11, 1970. In context, it was used together with another well-known Agnew alliteration: "In the United States today, we have more than our share of the nattering nabobs of negativism. They have formed their own 4-H Club -- the "hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history."

Although this phrase is often credited to Agnew himself, it was actually written by William Safire, the legendary NY Times columnist who was a speechwriter for both Richard Nixon and Agnew.

 

[Brian Sheridan]

I saw the same thing. GQ dissed the hat recently too. Esquire's new "Handbook of Style", however, notes that format hats are on a comeback and can be seen again "on the heads of smartly dressed hipsters and businessman."

 

[HatfeathersVint]

That sounds like a fancy way to say "I dunno". Maybe he needs some Lounge schooling!

 

[Not-Bogart13]

What tickles me most is that, if the steady rise in hat popularity that we've seen the last couple of years continues; it's only a matter of time that both GQ and Esquire will be adding the hat to the list of essential male accessories! lol

 

[KeyGrip]

What tickles me most is that, if the steady rise in hat popularity that we've seen the last couple of years continues; it's only a matter of time that both GQ and Esquire will be adding the hat to the list of essential male accessories! lol

Yes. Perhaps then they'll have to, eat their hats?

 

[B. F. Socaspi]

The man's wearing a four-in-hand with a tux. 'Nuff said.

 

[Wolfwood]

What tickles me most is that, if the steady rise in hat popularity that we've seen the last couple of years continues; it's only a matter of time that both GQ and Esquire will be adding the hat to the list of essential male accessories! lol

Except that hats aren't really accessories (in the same sense as scarves, watches, purses, bags etc.).

 

[univibe88]

I saw the same thing. GQ dissed the hat recently too.

Do you recall where they dissed the hat? I truly would like to go back and read it.

Not to be argumentative, but through my rose tinted glasses I have seen GQ to be rather supportive over the last year. The fedora has shown up in a couple of style guides. Meyer the Hatter in New Orleans has received a couple of mentions, as well as JJ Hats in NYC. Hats are showing up more and more in photo spreads.

That being said, the magazine has a lot of people working on copy and it's entirely possible they contradicted themselves with a snarky comment somewhere a la Esquire.

 

[LocktownDog]

Get a copy of British GQ and you'll see a magazine that's on the ball.

Its a fine mag, but very hard to get one's hands on here unfortunately.

 

[Feraud]

That being said, the magazine has a lot of people working on copy and it's entirely possible they contradicted themselves with a snarky comment somewhere a la Esquire.

Very possible.
With trying to be current and cutting edge it is easy enough to contradict recently made statments and step on one's own toes.

 

[Gilgamark]

I remember the style-question columnist for either "GQ" or "Esquire" making a crack about hats within the last couple of months, but I believe that the February 2009 issue of "GQ" has an article about hats making a comeback.

BTW, I was also told that Tom Brokaw said within the last couple of days that men's hats are back.

 

[Gilgamark]

From CBS News, December 23, 2008

Men's Hats Are Back
Trendsetting Stars Wearing Them; GQ's Adam Rapoport Looks At Faves, Offers Buying Tips
NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2008

(CBS) Men's hats are cool again!

Stars such as Brad Pitt, Jamie Fox, and Zak Efron love their hats, and wear them proudly.

On The Early Show Tuesday, GQ Style Editor Adam Rapoport looked at what's hot in men's hats, and shared buying tips.

FEDORA

This is a fantastic all purpose hat -- mostly when it has a moderate brim -can be worn from day to evening
It looks good on men of all ages and sizes
More color makes it appealing to a younger and more mature man
Most guys recognize this is the most gentleman like hat - think of Frank Sinatra
This, pork pie, and trilby are all hand blocked hats. They are made on a form. They are baked and stiff, high quality
Straw can be used during the summer and velvet during the winter
This could look good on a broader wide face
Fedoras:
- Borsalino - $350
- Stetson - $250
- Goorin - $190
- Paul Stuart (grey) - $150
- Paul Stuart (olive) - $147.50
- Bailey - $130
- H&M - $14.90
Straw Hats:
- Stetson - $115
- Biltmore - $85
- Stefeno - $60
- Bailey (x2) - $45

PORK PIE

It differs from Trilby and fedora, it has a flat top and. A short brim. The flat crown makes this very unique.
This hat is a bit trendier and worn by many Hollywood stars, but made famous way back by Gene Hackman
Looks best on a round, compact face.

Pork pies:
- Stetson (black) - $250
- Stetson (brown) - $200
- Bailey - $140
- Stefeno - $125

TRILBY

Like a fedora but with a smaller. And softer shorter brim - 'stingier' brim
Can be worn from day to evening.
Has seasonality: felt in the winter and straw for the summer
Extremely trendy and available at all price points, H and M sells a version for $14.90
The younger cooler guys fancy this hat -- like Justin Timberlake
This has classic bones - guys that are hipper younger, have musician look
This is a smaller hat and would probably look best for a small face

NEWSBOY CAP

Unstructured hats are a more relaxed than structured hats -- less CEO and more artist
Great price point
This is more like an English driving cap - that is something you can throw on your bag;.more relaxed with some personality.
Cool throwback hat; old New York working man guy; this is the keeping it real and keeping it stylish hat
This really fits everyone; before there was a baseball cap, now people opt for a newsboy cap like Brad Pitt
Driving Caps -
- Paul Stuart (x3) - $128.50
- Stetson - $125
- Borsalino - $85

SOFT HATS

There's no need to walk around in basic ski hat or baseball caps, there are more stylish alternatives.
Striped knit cap gives new life to keeping your ears warm in all price points; soft hunting cap is very trendy this season. It adds a new dimension to the knit cap with its small brim. It comes in both wool and cashmere
Faux fur trapper hat takes a little more confidence to wear but it will keep you warm and looking great.
East Cost hunting look is very in now -- black skin
Knit Caps:
- Paul Stuart (x3) - $167.50
- Stetson - $125
- Steven Alan - $98
- Gap (x2) - $19.50

MORE:

Walking/Rex Hats -
- Paul Stuart - $128.50
- Borsalino - $135
- Ben Sherman - $60
- Stetson - $55

Trappers -
- Gap - $29.50
- Paul Stuart (black) - $128.50
- Paul Stuart (brown) - $387
- Stetson - $1125

Engineer Hats -
- Banana Republic (suede) - $69
- Banana Republic (brown knit) - $59
- Banana Republic (grey knit) - $49
- Gap (x2) - $19.50
- H&M - $12.90

BUYING TIPS:

Adam says it's not just what you buy, but is about the way you wear your hat!

If you wear a fedora straight on you head, it looks more professional. If you tilt it to the side, then you look more hip and cool. You want to make sure you have a little flare. Adam has a big head; he likes to tilt fedoras and other kinds of hats back on his head.

When you buy a hat, it's important to go to a good hat store, where someone should really fit your shape of face with your personality and wardrobe. What's cool about hats is that they instantly give you personality. They're a crowning touch, literally and figuratively. A hat in itself is a statement. You don't need a wild and wacky hat. You should start off with the understated -- blacks or the greys if you're not used to wearing a hat and trying to get used to it.

People get confused and they over-think hats, and try to pair the outfit perfectly. You can wear the same fedora to work as you do with a leather jacket -- it's all about the way you tip it! It's versatile. You can wear the same hat off an on the clock.

Back in the day, gentleman would always take their hats off. But etiquette changes. These days, you can wear a hat indoors, but GQ's editors think men should still take their hats off before entering.

There are so many fashion labels that make hats now; they make cool versions -- Urban Outfitters and H & M, among them. If you're going to wear a lot then, it's a good idea to go to hat store.

Eventually, everything comes back into style. Hats have taken fashion by storm the past few yeas. So much of men's style is being dictated by the "mad men's look": skinny tie, suit, white cotton oxford, wing tips, very New York circa 1959.

 

[BlindeMan]

Nick Sullivan - Esquire Magazine's fashion director

Mr. Nick Sullivan - His Sartorial Greatness

Cast your eyes downward in humility