# What killed hats? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 4, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883 "2003-12-04T06:02:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/21 "2003-12-04T17:30:18Z")
Well, since we’re spectulating, I’m going with autos too. In addition to the smaller car/less headroom phenomenon mentioned by **TV Time** , you have the introduction of car seats with the anti-whiplash head rest, which makes wearing a fully brimmed hat impossible. Additionally, if you aren’t walking outdoors, there is no practical need for a hat (rain and sun protection, and warmth). When driving from garage to garage a hat merely gets in the way. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/22 "2003-12-04T17:58:22Z")
It is interesting to note that Kennedy, is frozen in time as a young man. But he was born in 1919! His wearing of a top hat at his inauguration is a somewhat jarring indicator of how far removed in time he was from today. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/23 "2003-12-04T20:19:25Z")
We had a guy at work who once wore a black fedora and matching black raincoat. He’s bald and kind of pale. Basically he stopped after spending the day listening to comments like “Geeve us ze Arc, Dr. Jones!” The real question is when did colonial style 3 pointed hats and wigs go out of style? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/24 "2003-12-04T20:48:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Huerta88 \* > \*\*I would have thought it would have been de rigeur, but he says no – only for swells, at that time, as far as he knew. > \*\* Swells? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/25 "2003-12-04T21:04:08Z")
According to Merriam-Webster online – > [@](#): > > Main Entry: 2swell > Function: noun > Date: 1606 > > … > > 4 a archaic : an impressive, pompous, or fashionable air or display b : a person dressed in the height of fashion c : a person of high social position or outstanding competence ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/26 "2003-12-04T21:19:14Z")
If I’m ever elected president, I’m going to wear a tricorn at my inauguration. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/27 "2003-12-04T21:23:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Loopus \* > \*\*[Snopes on this (false) theory.](http://www.snopes.com/history/american/jfkhat.htm) \*\* But **panache45** did not make the claim that Kennedy did not wear a hat at his inauguration, which is what that Snopes article refutes. **panache45** said that JFK went around without a hat, which is true. While Snopes is correct that the hatless trend was already in progress when JFK took office, they underestimate the effect that the most photographed man in America may have had on furthering the hatless trend. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/28 "2003-12-04T21:41:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by myles \* > \*\*AskNott did you even read the many posts that were above yours, where Kennedy’s hatlessness was summarily debunked? \*\* It should be obvious by now that I didn’t click on the Snopes link until after my first post. By now, you have read my second, crow-eating post. I won’t apologize again, but I can add a :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/29 "2003-12-04T21:48:48Z")
Yes, I also found the Snopes article to be so weak that we would be jumping all over it if anyone posted it here. Kennedy’s wearing a hat at his inaugural is a lot less meaningful when you read the page carefully and realize that he was **not** wearing the hat _while he was delivering his inaugural address_! That’s when everyone would have been most closely watching him. Saying that Kennedy went hatless at his inauguration, as in the quotes they cite, may not be technically correct, but is an understandable memory/shorthand for his going hatless during the most visible part of the whole ceremony. > [@](#): > > Normally we’d call for someone to produce statistics to demonstrate that men’s hat sales really declined sharply just after Kennedy’s inauguration, and to demonstrate that Kennedy was not merely one of millions of American men following a trend that had actually begun before his inauguration. Me personally, I’d like to see those statistics. I think it far more likely that while there may have been a dip during the Eisenhower administration, the big dropoff took place during Kennedy’s - and it might not have happened if Kennedy had worn hats regularly. And **BrotherCadfael** , it’s worse than you think. Kennedy was born in 1917. ---
**Author:** ![Eric\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de0a6/32.png) [@Eric\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric_II)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/30 "2003-12-04T22:08:02Z")
Alright, since you brought it up I’ll tell my story. This is on of the last great failed conspiracies of the 20th century. I used to go out with a jewish girl who’s parent’s were big in the garment industry in NYC. One day at a family dinner, her uncle Morey took me aside after a few too many glasses of Mogen David. He told me of their plan, thru his connections with jewish media mogul’s (who he was convinced controlled the minds of America) to Revive the Fedora. Literally change the face or the head, as it were, of America. There were millions put up to produce a movie that would convince the American male that he was naked without a hat. That movie “Indiana Jones” was a huge hit. Morey spent millions ramping up production. He went broke when the only thing the kids bought were baseball caps, no fedoras. He was philosophical about it though. He used to say you can lead 20 million goyim into the theater but you can’t make them want to buy a fine felt hat. “Hey, the movie was old testament!” he’d say… ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/31 "2003-12-05T00:23:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Walloon \* > \*\*…they underestimate the effect that the most photographed man in America may have had on furthering the hatless trend. \*\* I have always believed that JFK wasn’t snuffed by the Mob or the Cubans… he was killed by the Milliners. I mean, _come on_… it’s so obvious. Unfortunately, they were too late. ---
**Author:** ![UnwrittenNocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6de8d8/32.png) [@UnwrittenNocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwrittenNocturne)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/32 "2003-12-05T00:27:18Z")
Well I am trying to revive top hats. The again I also tend to wear tails and a lace cravat and cuffs, so I do not think I will have a huge effect ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/33 "2003-12-05T01:07:03Z")
If Mayor Willie Brown (San Francisco) couldn’t bring back hats, nothing can. Word is that he tried to compel city employees to wear hats, but got shouted down. Most of those guys in the old days wore ties, too, but ties are now generally worn by those who have to wear them. Generally. **George Zimmer** ’s behind this thread. Aren’t you, you sneaky sucker? 😉 I guarantee it. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/34 "2003-12-05T01:19:19Z")
> [@](#): > > What killed hats? Hat guns. Another Amrican tragedy. 😛 😉 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/35 "2003-12-05T01:20:28Z")
> [@](#): > > What killed hats? Hat guns. Another American tragedy. 😛 😉 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/36 "2003-12-05T02:49:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*What killed hats? \*\* Nothing! Here in Minnesota, with winter coming on, I can assure you they are alive & well. And none of Amp’s nonsense about “coordinating” with other clothing applies here, either! ---
**Author:** ![KP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a9adbd/32.png) [@KP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KP)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/37 "2003-12-05T04:32:19Z")
What killed hats in late 20th century America? The answer is obvious: hat people. I used to think it was hat guns, but I have since been convinced that guns don’t kill, people do. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/38 "2003-12-05T04:59:41Z")
Clothing generally has gotten a lot simpler over the last 100 years, likely due to improved manufacturing and synthetic fibers. Consider the corsets and garters and buttonhooks and suspenders and shirtfronts and collar stays and all the other junk a well-dressed 19th-century person needed. As part of this general streamlining, (mostly) useless items like hats have fallen away and I expect neckties will gradually follow. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/39 "2003-12-05T05:51:41Z")
I think the disappearance of hats goes hand-in-hand with the gradual disappearance of formal wear. That is, when I was a kid, jackets, ties and hats were considered standard attire for all kinds of functions and activities that NOBODY would dress formally for today. When I was little, taking a ride on an airplane was a Very Big Deal, and my Mom made sure my brothers and I wore little suits and ties when we travelled. NOBODY would dream of dressing up to fly, nowadays. Similarly, going to a baseball game used to be a Very Big Deal. If you ever see old footage of the 1969 World Series, you’ll note that practically all the men in the stands were wearing jackets, ties and hats! So, while JFK may have hastened the demise of hats, most men still wore hats at what they considered special occasions. What’s changed is that we’ve drastically shrunk the list of what we consider special occasions. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883/40 "2003-12-05T15:28:44Z")
I agree with the car theory and the informality theory. And now that hats are out of style, I’ve wondered where men and women could put their hats, if they wore them, when they’re inside a public place? Fast food places, etc. don’t have coatrooms where you can safely put your hat on a shelf. So now it’s just too inconvenient to wear them around. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-hats/216883.md?page=3)