Reactions when you first start wearing brimmed hats.

[danofarlington]

Actually, that describes my motivation. But I agree with your other points.

 

[Joshbru3]

I will say that it does draw a lot of attention from the females that I see. That fact drives my male coworkers crazy! I truly believe that those of us who wear a hat exude confidence, and women seem to be impressed with that.

I completely agree with that. Women often come up to me and talk to me about my hats. Young women and older as well. If someone is confident enough to wear a proper hat in this day and age, I think women can most definitely pick up on that same confidence. I have had many young ladies ask to wear my hats around the bars and they just love them. The guys they are with don't usually appreciate it, but oh well. Maybe they should get hats too. LOL.

 

[danofarlington]

I completely agree with that. Women often come up to me and talk to me about my hats. Young women and older as well. If someone is confident enough to wear a proper hat in this day and age, I think women can most definitely pick up on that same confidence. I have had many young ladies ask to wear my hats around the bars and they just love them. The guys they are with don't usually appreciate it, but oh well. Maybe they should get hats too. LOL.

You know, I'm starting to disagree that the appeal of hats to observers, especially women, is about confidence. In my opinion, it's all about the look. If they like the look, they like you. Or, they might like the look but not like you. Anyway, I think it's the look, not the confidence.

 

[Joshbru3]

You know, I'm starting to disagree that the appeal of hats to observers, especially women, is about confidence. In my opinion, it's all about the look. If they like the look, they like you. Or, they might like the look but not like you. Anyway, I think it's the look, not the confidence.

I would agree with that 50/50. When it comes to my experiences at the bars and such, in general the young women have always treated me the same with a hat on or off. However, I think if you show confidence, then the hat might "amplify" that confidence. If not anything else, having a young woman approach you in a bar and ask to wear your hat is a much better ice breaker than, "So, do you come here often....."

 

[Bourne ID]

It looks like you really struck a nerve here Historyteach! Everyone gettin in on the thread, bottom line seems to be ....wearing a hat from a different era gets you some attention! Seems that a lot of it has to do with the age of the wearer! If you're young or young looking then people are going to notice that you were born in the wrong decade! If you're 45 and up, then it doesn't seem that odd. Same with smoking a pipe, seems we were all born in the wrong decade. Even the working man had style back then, not so much today.

 

[danofarlington]

If you're 45 and up, then it doesn't seem that odd.

You are so right. When I wear my Roman helmet, people don't bat an eye, even though I am dying to tell them about when it was new and shiny. Oh, well. So many stories, but no one's interested.

 

[Alex]

As a teacher, Im gonna offer two sides.

One: dont get mired down in the 'they killed my sense of self-expression' stuff. You dont wear hats in school. That goes back to the days when men, and men in training (aka boys) removed their hats when entering a building.

Two: Just because teachers are teachers doesnt mean theyre all rocket scientists. There are plenty of semi-brain-dead pedagogues running around, and some of us them not above enforcing a given rule with some and being lax about it with others.

Yeah I totally understand and respect teachers and the school policy. I don't care about removing my hat at school, doesn't bother me any but it may bother someone who puts their life into their hat, or some other form of inappropriate clothing.

I do feel that a lot of hat etiquette is unnecessary this day and age, such as removing it every time you see a woman (not to show any disrespect here )

 

[MCrider]

For me, it depends on what type/color of hat I wear. Greys and greens generally get a nice comment. Browns tend to have people thinking of Indiana Jones and a brown Fed III recently got a chuckle from a couple in their 30's. But I don't let what others think bother me, so when I saw them giggling, I just turned towards them and smiled, like I was in on the joke. I wear hats because I like them, not what others may think.

 

[mhollis44]

Another Chattanoogan on TFL?!

Neo....are you in Chatt?

 

[Neophyte]

When not attending school at UTK...yes .

 

[Forrest]

I live in Austin, Texas. No one says a word about my hat. It would take a lot more than a fedora to make me seem weird here.

There is an absolutely pitiful hat shop here in Austin, though, and it is bringing hats back in fashion in this town, which I suppose is good. But their selection is complete overpriced garbage. One of these days I'll make it to Houston and check out Miller hats, or go up to Fort Worth to browse around Peters Brothers.

 

[brspiritus]

oooh Miller Hats. I've been absolutely drooling over their 083 (Corleone Stetson) that's on here.

 

[Pompidou]

I love the attention my hat gets - good or bad. It's okay to stand out from the crowd. I built a whole look around the VS hat.

 

[Tatude]

Live in SF Bay Area so hats are not so rare here and reaction has been nothing but positive so far. New to this just started in October.

 

[Corky]

Memorize this phrase to use on anyone with the gall to utter a discouraging remark:

"EAT YOUR HEART OUT!"

 

[The Good]

Basically, when I was first starting out, my family had a mixed reaction of thinking it was cool, and sometimes weird (mostly my siblings, especially when it got to the point that I wore hats frequently, as in more than once in a while), and strangers thought it was cool, or nice, snazzy, dapper, what have you...

 

[yookee]

If she has the confidence to walk out of the house every morning, just figuring that EVERYBODY will be looking at her, and still doesn't care.....then I'm going to wear my hats, and look like a well put together person because I want to.

I love your perspective.

 

[yookee]

I posted this on another thread just yesterday, but its perfect here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In December, I posted on this board asking questions about a certain style of Fedora I was interested in. I have always said, if you want to do things right - do it big. Many of you pointed me the way of Art. I'm glad I did.

The Results:

I heed warning to you who are thinking of your first lid. Because no one told me what it would be like!!! I wore my first Fedora, and the reaction from strangers will require getting used to...but I love it.

It’s like being a “B actor” in Hollywood. Heads turn, they don’t know who I am but they look over. Take the hat off, no reaction..put it on, heads turn,..ITS CRAZEE, I tell you!

One night, I had three 20 something females ask if they could take their pictures with me ...they wanted pictures of my hat. I kid you not…

You should have warned me....

 

[facade]

As most of you guys know I am relatively new to wearing brimmed hats. I must say that the reactions I have been getting have been a mixed bag. I am not saying this is going to cause me to stop wearing them it just kind of makes you feel like a sideshow when people stare at you for endless minutes . I was just wondering how long it took most of you to get over the added attention these hats bring. I must say I love the "nice hat" comments but I have also had my fair share of long stares and giggles. Maybe I just look funny. Anyways discuss away!

“The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.”

It took me a few days to get over then initial self-consciousness. Now I'm quite use to it and even feel a little disappointed when my hat isn't gathering people's attention. The only "negative" comments I have recieved have come from people I know and it has all been the typical ripping guys do to each other. Nothing has been mean spirited.

I must disagree with those who said it does not matter what others think. For those of us new to hats it does in fact matter a great deal.

If one has been wearing fedoras for generations they may simply be wearing the hat out of habit and may have long since stopped caring what other people think. For that person other people's opinions may be less important. However anyone new to wearing a fedora is doing so specifically to influence those around them. A fedora is a fashion accessory. The sole purpose of fashion is to influence those around us through our dress. And most people want their fashion choices to elicit positive reactions (even if their bravado says otherwise). If all one needs is a hat to keep the sun & rain off their head, there are many less costly and more effective means than a fedora.

 

[Espee]

I almost expect something like the following to appear on this thread:

"I was walking in a crowd of people and suddenly a voice yelled out 'Wow what a great hat!'....... soon people were looking at me and pointing and gathering around me... it was so embarrassing.... I was almost sorry I yelled."

(Adapted from an old joke in which the shout is "Red Skelton's in the crowd!")