Responding to public mocking

[mercuryfelt76]

I seem to always get a big reaction when wearing a hat, no matter what type of hat it is and no matter what I'm wearing with it. I live in London where people haven't worn hats very much since WWII (I note that even New Yorkers wore fedoras in the 50s). In Britain hats became an expensive luxury during a time of post-war recession and rationing.

It seems that people here feel compelled to comment when someone wears a hat nowadays and I'm interested to know how you respond to the negative feedback. I xas in Oxford the other day wearing my grey homburg and grey 3 piece suit and a 40ish man riding a bicycle stopped and exclaimed "oh my God, what DO you look like?" And then called me a few choice words which I can't use on the Lounge. This happens to me quite often.

Does this happen to anyone else and how do you respond?

 

[fmw]

It never happens to me. I get a few stares but spoken comments are always positive. Lots of people wear hats around here. But, of course, they are baseball caps. I think they view my hats as a different twist to the baseball cap.

 

[DougC]

I haven't been mocked. I get a lot of "nice hat" comments. But, I live in Texas and the hat is ingrained in our national mindset (yep, the nation of Texas). I guess if I was mocked, I'd smile and say thanks just as if I was complimented and chaulk the comment up to a nutter (or nutters!).

 

[cybergentleman]

With all due respect to you for wearing a hat, perhaps it is your overall appearance that brings out this rage in people. The way you described yourself sounds like you are a fop- tone it down. Maybe switch the homburg for a fedora or ditch the 3 piece suit etc.

You are combining far too many "vintage" elements for a modern caveman. Also, too much grey may be a problem too- mix up your colors.

that's my take on this. Look sharp and not vintage and you will hopefully turn this attention into compliments.

 

[djd]

A homberg is a difficult hat to carry off I think. How old are you if you dont mind me asking? I'm guessing a younger guy is more likely to attract negative comments than an older one.

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

A lot of the people walking down the street these days are inconsiderate imbeciles.Apparently some are riding bicycles as well.

 

[SgtRick]

I haven't been mocked. I get a lot of "nice hat" comments. But, I live in Texas and the hat is ingrained in our national mindset (yep, the nation of Texas). I guess if I was mocked, I'd smile and say thanks just as if I was complimented and chaulk the comment up to a nutter (or nutters!).

Texas here as well, Houston. Yea hat wearing really isn't a problem where I live, everybody does it, mostly ball caps though. I tend to agree that too much vintage isn't a good image to portray.

 

[Feraud]

On a similar note- Does vintage clothing attract a rude/violent response?

 

[Shangas]

I've had compliments, comments of curiosity, but never rude comments about my dressing. And I've taken to wearing a hat every time I go out, out of habit these days.

 

[Edward]

With all due respect to you for wearing a hat, perhaps it is your overall appearance that brings out this rage in people. The way you described yourself sounds like you are a fop- tone it down. Maybe switch the homburg for a fedora or ditch the 3 piece suit etc.

You are combining far too many "vintage" elements for a modern caveman. Also, too much grey may be a problem too- mix up your colors.

that's my take on this. Look sharp and not vintage and you will hopefully turn this attention into compliments.

Well, looking vintage is kinda what people round here are about. [huh]

I refuse to buy into the "logic" of dressing to conform to others' prejudices. Maybe swe need a "Vintage Walk"?

 

[RobStC]

Yeah, it happens.....

Living in Edinburgh as I do, the same sort of thing does happen from time to time, as people are generally less used to 'proper hats' in the UK than in many parts of the US, by and large. Having said that, haven't had a negative comment for quite a while now, whilst continue to get very positive ones.....

A thick skin is a definite attribute. It seems to help to be older than I think I recall you being, and also practice (just wearing a hat lots) helps one to look more natural and comfortable, so people tend to see it as less odd.

Whilst being all in favour of being able to wear what you want, and not be dictated to by current opinions, I have to say I agree with an earlier post (from Cybergentleman?) in that the combination of 3 piece and a Homburg is a pretty tough one to carry off, especially when young(ish). Maybe try a slight dressing down, for a while at least, and see how that works. You'll still stand out as the best dressed person around, but might defuse/tone down peoples reactions a bit?

Good luck, play it sensibly, and it'll all turn out ok in the end!

RobStC

 

[Inusuit]

I live in Wyoming, wear an Open Road every day. Just finished a 2300 mile road trip across six western states. Only comment was a positive one from an employee at our hotel in Flagstaff. His father is a custom hatter, and he liked my Stetson 25. Remarked that he liked my brim treatment and we talked hats for a bit. May help that my usual attire is jeans or Carhartt work pants and a Pendleton shirt, so the package doesn't draw much attention.

 

[TheBeak]

Might be the area, might be the combination of styles - I dont know... I wear what I like and what makes me feel good. My wife likes it, and I hold that higher than what some dude on the street says.

I get some looks/stares, but like some others - the spoken comments are always positive (or at least neutral). My Fed IV get the most commentary, but its the tallest crown, and widest brim I wear.

 

[HatsEnough]

Here in the USA I've never had a negative comment about my fedoras. Man, it's starting to look like it isn't hats that is the problem... it's the UK that is the problem!

 

[job]

I have received only positive comments from adults. I have had a few small children point and tell their mothers, "look mommy a cowboy," and I don't even have a western style hat. I guess a fedora style hat is close enough for a child.
I do not care what people think of me. I have always done what interests me and that often is different from the majority.

 

[Jauntyone]

Being an Americain who has lived in Europe for the last 11 years, I think that there is much more tolerance in the States for the whole "doing your own thing but not bothering anybody" attitude. I don't know if you consider Britain as part of Europe, but the people here have a very hard time accepting anything which is out of the ordinary-whether it be something positive or not. There is a huge emphasis on conforming and doing things just like everyone else.

 

[DocMustang]

I really think that it is a matter of how the "look" pulled off. I think if it has the appearance of "costume" it can be percieved in a negative light. The southern term for it is "putting on airs" meaning acting above your station. It is hard to know what triggers this response. But I am convinced that that is the source of these sorts of comments.

I think a lot has to do with how we carry ourselves. Do we adopt an upright stance, appear unaproachable or are we at ease, comfortable in the clothing that we are wearing? There is a difference between knowing that we are the best dressed person in the room, and acting like we are the best person in the room. An attitude of confident humility is what we should seek to present to the world. That may seem a contradiction but true humility is an acknowlegement of our strengths and weaknesses and being comfortable with both.

 

[Atticus Finch]

I wear an Open Road almost every working day from late September until mid-May. I wear it with (non-vintage) dress clothing...in other words, I seldom wear an OR unless I'm also wearing a tie. I have never had any negative comments about my attire. That being said, in my area of the world, people seldom openly express what they are actually thinking. Here in the rural South, to blithely cast disparaging remarks about some stranger's clothing would normally prove to be unhealthy.

AF

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Being an Americain who has lived in Europe for the last 11 years, I think that there is much more tolerance in the States for the whole "doing your own thing but not bothering anybody" attitude. I don't know if you consider Britain as part of Europe, but the people here have a very hard time accepting anything which is out of the ordinary-whether it be something positive or not. There is a huge emphasis on conforming and doing things just like everyone else.

Yet many Europeans pride themselves on being more progressive than us barbarian Yanks. Isn't tolerance supposed to be one of these "progressive" values? lol

 

[EggHead]

I have heard complimentary (I hope) and curious comments. Mostly people said "Indie?" when I was wearing a brown Leisure Time (outback style) or dark moss fedora (from blacksheep). Grey Stockman (cowboy style) got a few thumbs up. Black Sydney (fedora) didn't get any comments, just stares.
That said, my friends love my hats and always compliment.

But the again, in San Francisco, someone with blue hair is more normal, than someone with a fedora.