Pre-1960s - why did everyone wear hats and

[DuckyMcDuck]

Why did we stop?

I've been killing time looking at historic photo videos on YouTube and in the 1900-1960 photos, everyone is wearing a hat!

Anyone know why that was?

A social badge. Men’s hats especially.
Bowler hat = City worker or banker. Also Scotland Yard detective or journalist.
Trilby= horse dealer or livestock auctioneer if worn with a white coat.
Straw boater= Victorian sailor or Oxbridge student.
Flat cap= labourer.
Postboy cap= never for adult men.

I remember dustmen wearing a special hood, a bit like an executioner, in the early 70s. You see it in My Fair Lady.

I forgot:
Undertaker= top hat with ribbons.

You lose a lot of heat via your head-warmth was definitely a factor.

Both this and the sun are more noticeable to bald men, IME.

People dressed far more formally in the 50s and 60s. I can remember seeing a photo of my late DM's parents on the beach at Southend,must have been the late 50s,and they were very formally dressed for the occasion. Granddad was wearing a suit,tie and a hat.

Straw boater= Victorian sailor or Oxbridge student.

Also butchers and fishmongers.

Remember the film An Inspector calls? My mum told me this.

The bit when the poor pregnant girl tries to ask a load of uncharitable judgey pants women from a church for help. All wearing hats. They were so cruel to her and it affected people that viewed the film and put people off wearing hats in church!

Rain.

Warmth