Hats of the Depression

[FedoraFan112390]

Some photos of hats during the Great Depression. Others if you want.

At the unemployment line:

1932 New York City breadline:

 

[hatophile]

Great pics. Lotta fedoras, lotta caps.

 

[Feraud]

There is plenty of variety seen in the headwear.

 

[thebroker]

I realize that it is, perhaps, comparing apples to oranges, but I find it fascinating that, even in the bread line or unemployment line, gentlemen of the day still dressed like gentlemen. These days, folks who seek social services dress as if they've just rolled out of bed. I think perhaps those of yesteryear had a sense of pride, even in tough times, that people today just don't have.

 

[vintage68]

I agree Broker, even in tough times people back then seemed to have standards for themselves that a lot of people today, though certainly not all, don't have.

 

[Feraud]

I realize that it is, perhaps, comparing apples to oranges, but I find it fascinating that, even in the bread line or unemployment line, gentlemen of the day still dressed like gentlemen. These days, folks who seek social services dress as if they've just rolled out of bed. I think perhaps those of yesteryear had a sense of pride, even in tough times, that people today just don't have.

People just wore what was available to them. Styles change. There were no lofty intentions involved.

 

[danofarlington]

I realize that it is, perhaps, comparing apples to oranges, but I find it fascinating that, even in the bread line or unemployment line, gentlemen of the day still dressed like gentlemen. These days, folks who seek social services dress as if they've just rolled out of bed. I think perhaps those of yesteryear had a sense of pride, even in tough times, that people today just don't have.

I think they were probably gathering all the dignity they could, given the disastrous economic circumstances. Men caught up without jobs would probably want to be seen to be as normal as possible, and as little like bums as possible, to save self-respect.

 

[facade]

I realize that it is, perhaps, comparing apples to oranges, but I find it fascinating that, even in the bread line or unemployment line, gentlemen of the day still dressed like gentlemen. These days, folks who seek social services dress as if they've just rolled out of bed. I think perhaps those of yesteryear had a sense of pride, even in tough times, that people today just don't have.

Most people dress in a slovenly fashion in America today, not just the unemployed. And it was not pride that drove the better dress in days past. People haven't changed. Rather it was the social mores of the times which exist no longer. Ettiquette, manners, proper dress etc. all stem from rules established and maintained by the people of the local community. People dressed better because that was what was expected of them and there were consequences for not playing by the rules. Today the Federal govenrment is the arbiter of everything and as long as you obey their laws no one is allowed to say boo to you about how you dress and act (with few exceptions such as employers) without violating your civil 'rights'. So everyone is free to dress and act as poorly as they care too and those who may long for a more genteel society are powerless to bring such about.

 

[thebroker]

Most people dress in a slovenly fashion in America today, not just the unemployed. And it was not pride that drove the better dress in days past. People haven't changed. Rather it was the social mores of the times which exist no longer. Ettiquette, manners, proper dress etc. all stem from rules established and maintained by the people of the local community. People dressed better because that was what was expected of them and there were consequences for not playing by the rules. Today the Federal govenrment is the arbiter of everything and as long as you obey their laws no one is allowed to say boo to you about how you dress and act (with few exceptions such as employers) without violating your civil 'rights'. So everyone is free to dress and act as poorly as they care too and those who may long for a more gentile society are powerless to bring such about.

Very astute observations, sir.

 

[Blackthorn]

Very astute observations, sir.

Indeed.

 

[frussell]

I agree with facade's remarks above, they mirror what I see every day fairly well. One small quibble, though. I think you mean "genteel," as "those who may long for a more gentile society" are still alive and well, but their choice of headwear is usually a bit more pointy. Frank.

 

[hatophile]

I agree with facade's remarks above, they mirror what I see every day fairly well. One small quibble, though. I think you mean "genteel," as "those who may long for a more gentile society" are still alive and well, but their choice of headwear is usually a bit more pointy. Frank.

"Point" well taken.

 

[facade]

I agree with facade's remarks above, they mirror what I see every day fairly well. One small quibble, though. I think you mean "genteel," as "those who may long for a more gentile society" are still alive and well, but their choice of headwear is usually a bit more pointy. Frank.

Yep I should have said genteel.

 

[Lefty]

Most people dress in a slovenly fashion in America today, not just the unemployed. And it was not pride that drove the better dress in days past. People haven't changed. Rather it was the social mores of the times which exist no longer. Ettiquette, manners, proper dress etc. all stem from rules established and maintained by the people of the local community. People dressed better because that was what was expected of them and there were consequences for not playing by the rules. Today the Federal govenrment is the arbiter of everything and as long as you obey their laws no one is allowed to say boo to you about how you dress and act (with few exceptions such as employers) without violating your civil 'rights'. So everyone is free to dress and act as poorly as they care too and those who may long for a more genteel society are powerless to bring such about.

So,
Smaller government = order and better dress
Big government and civil rights = anarchy and slobs

I was wrong in the big brim thread. This seems to be the place to whine about the loss of the "good old days" - the days when a man wore a suit while oppressing women, children, and people of every color.

 

[facade]

So,
Smaller government = order and better dress
Big government and civil rights = anarchy and slobs

I was wrong in the big brim thread. This seems to be the place to whine about the loss of the "good old days" - the days when a man wore a suit while oppressing women, children, and people of every color.

Thus we have an example of societal pressure. I said something that is percieved to question the "American way" someone immediately pops up to brand me a whining racist. The difference being in the past what people were pressured to do was determined locally. Today its determined on a national level by the wealthy and powerful and their tool, the media.

 

[FedoraFan112390]

Don't see how the Federal government enters into this. I'm so tired of this push to go back to the way things were in 1880.

 

[Lefty]

someone immediately pops up to brand me a whining racist.

The difference being in the past what people were pressured to do was determined locally. Today its determined on a national level by the wealthy and powerful and their tool, the media.

First, that's not what I said. What I said is that the good old days are envisioned on this board as much like today, only with better manners, nicer stuff and better clothes. That's simply not the case.

Second, you linked taste and manners to government. That's absurd.

Finally, taste and attitudes can certainly be conveyed by the media, but it's up to people as to what they'll accept.

 

[FedoraFan112390]

facade--the very Golden Era many here pine for was one of the biggest eras of government in our modern history. FDR, Truman, the New Deal, Fair Deal, ring a bell? Somehow with all of that big government in the 1930s and 1940s, people acted orderly and dressed classy.
Actually, the jeans & t-shirt uniform only became truly mainstream in the late 70s-early 80s...Hmm..when the era of small government first began.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

This is from a LIFE magazin in 1937

 

[facade]

First, that's not what I said. What I said is that the good old days are envisioned on this board as much like today, only with better manners, nicer stuff and better clothes. That's simply not the case.

Second, you linked taste and manners to government. That's absurd.

Finally, taste and attitudes can certainly be conveyed by the media, but it's up to people as to what they'll accept.

Apparently I misunderstood what you meant by calling us whiners longing for the days when we could oppress women and people of color.

Everything is linked to the Federal government as they have taken control one way or another pretty much every aspect of our lives.

For a system of manners to function there has to be some form of punishment for those who choose not to follow the rules. Individual people and local communities have no way to enforce any code of conduct. Want to ban people wearing the pants around their knees? Sorry the ACLU will sue you using the Federal laws to stop you. Want to try and stop people from swearing and talking about sex in front of your children? Too bad they have "freedom of speech" as invented by the Supreme Court.

People dressed better in the past because their neighbors expected it of them and had the power to enforce local mores. Today local communities have no such power. This is both good and bad. It does help prevent the local oppression of those without power. But it also denies communities the ability to ensure civility.