If a US President wore hats again, what would he wear and how would it effect hat sales?

[Dirk Wainscotting]

The only politicians I've ever seen wearing hats, and not just for a photo opportunity, are George Galloway (who is a "character") and ex-business secretary Vince Cable. The latter is routinely spotted wearing a hat:

 

[Edward]

It's interesting how dress is used by the President (perhaps your PM, I'm not sure) to convey whatever vibe he think the people want at the time. Most of the time, in the Oval Office, when speechifying, what have you, it's a typical conservative dark business suit and either red or blue tie. If he's touring a disaster area, it's something closer to jeans and a shirt with the sleeves rolled up to convey the notion that he's "getting his hands dirty". President Bush used his experience flying military aircraft for his famous tailhook landing on an aircraft carrier and speech in full flight suit. Rarely is the President's dress not a coordinated "campaign" effort.

Very much the same over here. In Blair's day, even his shoes were an issue. On the one hand, it bothers me, yet on the other, knowing how much perception and image do matter to the voting public at large, I can't blame the for playing it. The current PM was big on rolling up his shirtsleeves while talking at factories and such during the election campaign, though it was hardly new. The biggest Westminster trend of recent years has been the tieless look - not for Seriou Occasions or speaking in the house, but it's been a big thing among the cabinet over the last few years. Always puts me in mind a bit of the guy who turns up at the party in a suit to find everyone else in jeans, then removes his tie in an awkward attempt to blend in. It would look so much better if they folded the shirt collar over the jacket, but that would likely be ridiculed as people here still think of it as a seventies thing.... Probably the most distinctive dresser in British politics these days is Nigel Farage, with his tweeds, brightly coloured trousers and covert coats. A controversial figure to say the least, but undeniably effective in the way he has created a distinct brand for himself via the way he dresses.


In terms of hats, a lot of folks in the UK of my grandparents generation and just a little older than my parents still refer to a Homburg as an "Anthony Eden", after the politician (several terms as Foreign Secretary and briefly the PM - 1955-57). I think that's probably the last time a hat was a big signature look for a British politician. William Hague, during his tenure as Leader of the Opposition, at the behest of his people experimented with a baseball cap with HAGUE emblazoned on it like a fashion label, but it was roundly mocked and quickly dropped.

 

[Edward]

The only politicians I've ever seen wearing hats, and not just for a photo opportunity, are George Galloway (who is a "character") and ex-business secretary Vince Cable. The latter is routinely spotted wearing a hat:

You're right.... I'd forgotten Cable (a few months really is a long time in politics), but yes, him and Galloway both wear black fedoras. Neither of them are currently in office, both having lost their seats in the 2015 general election; I can't think of any of the current crop wearing hats now. A pity on the one hand, though I'd also hate to see a nice hat politicised by becoming overly associated with a particular individual or party.

Wait.... not a brimmed hat, but Jeremy Corbyn's train driver / fisherman's cap, that's another one.

 

[HudsonHawk]

The last American President I can think of who wore hats routinely as a matter of dress, and not just while "at the ranch" was Harry Truman.

 

[Luis]

It's not just hats, but fashion in general. People want the President to dress well, but not too well. He should be seen as a representative of the "common man", and any sign of what would be considered elitism would be frowned upon these days. For example, the aforementioned President Kennedy wore formal morning dress, complete with a top hat, at his inauguration. Ronald Reagan also dressed formally at his inauguration, his first appearance in public as President. But could you imagine what would happen if the current or next President were to dress that "fancy"? He'd be pilloried. People want their President to be either a symbol of America's wealth and power, or a utilitarian, humble servant, depending on their mood and which side of the political aisle they sit, relative to the boss.

 

[g.durand]

The last American President I can think of who wore hats routinely as a matter of dress, and not just while "at the ranch" was Harry Truman.

Not only were they worn as a matter of regular dress, they were worn with a certain flair, as were his clothes. There hasn't been a president since who dressed as well as HST, in my opinion. Of course his having been a haberdasher for a short time may have had something to do with it.

 

[cm289]

Judging from what happened to the firearm industry, the president should announce plans to restrict them. The hats will fly off the shelves.

You win the Internet, today! [emoji106]


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[RJR]

You win the Internet, today! [emoji106]


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+1

 

[scottyrocks]

It's not gonna happen here. Presidents wear hats during publicity stunts, and that's about it.

 

[LuvMyMan]

Style seems to seep upward, for the most part.
Gone are the days when HRH The Prince of Wales wore (x, y or z) and then everyone had to have one.

I was never one to follow all the history on this, but the Emperor of Japan was noted as having done some sort of Fashion shopping on the "Saville Row" in England many years before his famous surrender with MacArthur during WWII. It was stated however, that his "attire" was sorely outdated as his style was spot on for the 1920'1930's but not for the current time of fashion for the 1940's. The factor was that during the Emperor's shopping for clothing, he literally walked past other world leaders or royalty that had been finely tailored at the same shop. So fashion did have some part in setting what could be trendy for a leader to wear.

Oddly enough, that same sense of importance regarding fashion was placed into the Emperor's time for his trial as it was thought if he was dressed in a more "western" fashion it would help his case during his prosecution for war crimes.
http://books.google.com/books?id=Mq...r of Japan WW2 clothing from england?&f=false

 

[TheDane]

I believe, trend spotters always looked to a lot of different people in order to predict coming fashion. I don't believe, presidents are among them anymore ... on the contrary.

 

[Frunobulax]

Submitted without political comment...

http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/...-obama-borrows-his-cowboy-hat-in-dallas.html/

Resistol or Stetson?

 

[hatophile]

Resistol or Stetson? could get you in as much trouble in some parts as Democrat or Republican?

 

[Frunobulax]

Resistol or Stetson? could get you in as much trouble in some parts as Democrat or Republican?

Yeah, I guess the correct answer is, "Hatco!"

 

[Benzadmiral]

We here do as you do, and that is make your own trends within our own decisions!

I do however think some of the more "business man" look that the Borso line has, would work for any President, along with what our Stetson upper end line of hats has out now as well.

I can see it! A light gray or tan Borsalino Alessandria, bashed either as fedora or as Open Road style! He could switch back and forth -- fedora when visiting the big Eastern cities, OR when in Texas or the Southwest . . .