# Is there any kind of hat I could wear that doesn't identify me with some subculture? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 5, 2006, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604 "2006-05-05T21:31:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/21 "2006-05-06T04:24:57Z")
[QUOTE=Misnomer] I love hats like [this one](http://www.landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/0,,1_2_1931_59140_99021_77468_5:view=-1,00.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_62&sid=4456188226888133090). I tend to think of these as the “jeans” of hats. You can get 'em plain or with logos (like [this](http://hrccornerstore.myimagefirst.com/store/product.asp?sku=271%2D10%2D0969&id=595&mscssid=DHKC13PLF1H78N2BGMRXPU2KQRTJ27C2) or [this](http://www.flickr.com/photos/misnomer971/78778100/)), and they only say what you want them to say. I’m not a huge hat-wearer, but I have about 9 of this kind of hat. [/QUOTE] Oh lord no, nothing screams 40 year old middle manager, or soccer mom like those hats. ---
**Author:** ![hlanelee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3bc359/32.png) [@hlanelee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hlanelee)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/22 "2006-05-06T04:46:04Z")
[QUOTE=AskNott] **learn to look cool with baldness.** Be at one with your scalp. It shows you are a grownup. Let your scalp flag fly. 🆒 [/QUOTE] My dear old Dad had come to terms with his inpending baldness, he had plans to have a Ben Franklin look, bald on top and shoulder length on the sides and the back. And he would have done it, too, if he had not died in that accident. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/23 "2006-05-06T06:18:53Z")
[QUOTE=jawdirk] A simple ski hat, like [this](http://www.millerhats.com/productimages/484.jpg). I’ve got one that is straight black. It’s cultural message, in it’s entirety, is “I want to keep my head warm.” [/QUOTE] Or, “I’m a stoner”. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/24 "2006-05-06T06:25:22Z")
I’m firmly of the belief that Men Should Wear Hats In Public. I haven’t worn a baseball cap since I was 12, but I do regularly wear an [Akubra Stockman’s Hat](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akubra), especially in the Summer or when I’m out hunting. I’ve also got a rather spiffy [Foreign Service Khaki Pith Helmet](http://www.lawranceordnance.com/new/images/helmets-pith/khaki-pith-helmet.jpg) that I’m giving to wearing at the rifle range when I’m shooting my Martini-Enfield .303 rifle. 😃 And, for Winter (not that we have it in Queensland, but Winters in the South Island of NZ were and are bloody cold!), I’ve got [A Russian Officer’s Fur Ushanka](http://www.lawranceordnance.com/new/images/hats/russian-officers-fur-hat.jpg) (and yes, it has the badge on it!) The thing is not to feel self-conscious about it. If you embrace the _Hattage_, people will see the Hat as part of you, not something that identifies you as part of some sub-group. Of course, I’d also add that you probably shouldn’t be wearing a flat cap unless you drive a London Black Taxi and have passed [The Knowledge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Knowledge)… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/25 "2006-05-06T07:44:43Z")
A winter hat. tight and average. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/26 "2006-05-06T07:46:44Z")
…Maybe a tassle. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/27 "2006-05-06T07:53:40Z")
[QUOTE=jawdirk] I’d wear jeans, but I’d never wear a baseball cap. Baseball caps say that you are into baseball, that you lean towards the social, “jock,” segment of society, or that you are blue collar (or all three). [/QUOTE] I’d actually say they’re the t-shirt of hats. People use them in order to alert people that they may have … [ol] [li]Been to Cleveland[/li][li]Served aboard the USS Walter Mondale[/li][li]A penchant for looking at women’s breasts[/li][li]Worked for UPS[/li][li]Some sort of affiliation with various universities[/li][li]A belief that America is peachy keen[/li][li]Certain amorous feelings for New York City[/li][li]A friend who buys cheap gifts[/li][/ol] and so on and so forth. ---
**Author:** ![mamboman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mamboman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mamboman)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/28 "2006-05-06T08:02:22Z")
A trilby is absolutley the most serviceable of hats. You can wear it “up” at a jaunty angle for that Sinatra-“ole blues eyes is back”-insouciance, or down at eyebrow line for the “Joe Friday hardarse” look. A damn fine hat, the tribly mm ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/29 "2006-05-06T08:10:17Z")
I occasionally wear a hat like [this](http://www.villagehatshop.com/product1713.html) but without the flower. All I can think of that it says about me is, “I’m a girl!” probably not the message you want to send. a friend of mine (male) always wears a newsboy cap when he goes out. I think it’s very nice-looking on him. It’s not a “freak” hat in that you wouldn’t see his hat and know anything about him, but it’s not everybody’s style. ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/30 "2006-05-06T08:23:55Z")
sorry to double-post, but upon further exploration I found [this](http://www.millerhats.com/menu/mens_caps.htm) site… There are loads of hats there. You’re likely to find SOMETHING you can live with. I’m not terribly up on grown men’s fashion, I’m afraid, but I do like some of those hats. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/31 "2006-05-06T08:44:41Z")
There’s probably not a damn hat in the world (or any other article of clothing) that someone, somewhere, won’t try to pin with some kind of label. Wear what you’re comfortable with, and don’t worry about what anyone thinks. Just find a hat _you_ think is really, really cool. Then wear it with pride. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/32 "2006-05-06T10:19:13Z")
I wore a captain’s hat kind of thing once, and many people said it suited me. I’ve kind of wanted to follow up on that and get one. But there’s just so much baggage associated with something so quirky, that I’m reluctant to do so. I’m very deliberately dull in most ways, so to do that would be… out of character. I think I’ll stick to my fez, and pith helmet. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/33 "2006-05-06T11:44:19Z")
Please don’t wear a baseball cap. That goes for all of you. Unless you’re playing baseball. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/34 "2006-05-06T13:20:31Z")
I’m fond of wearing a panama in the sun. But I like the ushanka. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/35 "2006-05-06T13:32:33Z")
I’m fond of wearing a panama in the sun. But I like the ushanka. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/36 "2006-05-06T13:35:27Z")
[Quote=bluethree] Please don’t wear a baseball cap. That goes for all of you. Unless you’re playing baseball. Thank you. [/Quote] And if you insist on wearing a baseball cap anyway, the bill goes towards the front, unless you are currently playing catcher. Ta. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/37 "2006-05-06T14:41:06Z")
Is “Canadian” a subculture? If not, I advise a tuque. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/38 "2006-05-06T14:56:31Z")
[QUOTE=treis] Oh lord no, nothing screams 40 year old middle manager, or soccer mom like those hats. [/QUOTE] Ok, now that I look at my links again there is a difference between the [Lands’ End](http://www.landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/0,,1_2_1931_59140_99021_77468_5:view=-1,00.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_62&sid=4456188226888133090) hat and the logoed [examples](http://hrccornerstore.myimagefirst.com/store/product.asp?sku=271%2D10%2D0969&id=595&mscssid=DHKC13PLF1H78N2BGMRXPU2KQRTJ27C2) I [provided](http://www.flickr.com/photos/misnomer971/78778100/). They looked the same to me at first, but now I agree with you about the Lands’ End hat. So what kind of hat are those two examples? Are they considered baseball caps? All I know is _that’s_ the style of hat I see all kinds of people wearing around here, and that’s what I would consider to be a “generic” hat. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/39 "2006-05-06T16:16:13Z")
Guys who have shaved their head often wear one of those skull-cap things. I don’t think that makes you a part of any subculture except “cold headers.” If going bald is a reason for hat searching, a full shave seems like a good way to go to me. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604/40 "2006-05-06T18:47:44Z")
[QUOTE=Misnomer] So what kind of hat are those two examples? Are they considered baseball caps? All I know is _that’s_ the style of hat I see all kinds of people wearing around here, and that’s what I would consider to be a “generic” hat. [/QUOTE] Yes, that’s a baseball cap. They _are_ the generic hat in the US. Some are nicer than others, but all of those are baseball hats. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-kind-of-hat-i-could-wear-that-doesnt-identify-me-with-some-subculture/355604.md?page=3)