History of Hats
Wearing a hat has been a cultural fashion statement throughout centuries. The earliest instance where hats were worn dates back to 3000BC. Different styles of hats were even popular in Egypt 2800 years ago. Hats in the 1700 and 1800s often signified more than just style. The size, shape, and style of a hat could signify a person’s social standing or occupation. In the latter half of the 19th century, the top hat was commonplace and headwear was considered to be a must for a man of respectability. By the early 20th century, fedoras, homburg, and bowler hats for men, and cloche hats for women became the norm in fashion.
Decline of Hats in Modern Culture
There are several suggested reasons for why people stopped wearing hats. Many attribute the decline to a changing cultural shift in attitudes. With the rise of more casual attire, hats began to become more impractical and associated with traditional wear. Moreover, more and more people moved to a culture of wanting to look young and dapper. This meant new fashion trends were making hats look dated and outdated. To put it simply, hats were no longer in fashion.
The growth of automobiles and the overall decline of public transportation is also seen as a contributing factor. With cars replacing horses as a preferred means of transportation, people stopped needing hats to protect themselves from the harsh weather. Similarly, air conditioning in cars and in buildings made hats redundant. As such hats became a nuisance and historical relic.
Perspectives on Why People Stopped Wearing Hats
Though there are several suggested reasons for why people stopped wearing hats, opinions vary from expert to expert.
According to fashion expert, Jeffery D’Souza, “the decline in hat wearing culture not only has to do with changing fashion sensibilities but it also relates to the technological advancements we have made. With air conditioning in cars, people no longer need to cover their heads. Moreover, with an increase in salons and spas offering hair treatments, people don’t need hats to cover up the lack of hair”.
Fashion columnist, Joshua Simons offered his thoughts on why people stopped wearing hats: “I don’t think it was just clothes that killed off the hat tradition. We have to consider the fact that younger generations are more conscious of their appearance and often prefer going hat-less to minimize messing with their hairstyles. Men and women can keep their look manageable and consistent with less fuss, and hats no longer fulfill their purpose”.
Insights and Analysis
Hats don’t only offer protection from the weather, but also serve as a great fashion accessory. While the hat industry has gone into decline, designers and retailers are attempting to revive the industry with modern day inventions. For example, companies such as Goorin Bros and Bailey of Hollywood offer classic styles for men, as well as modern adaptations such as bucket hats and trucker caps.
However, the main challenge faced by the industry is marketing. According to experts, it is rare to see hats and headwear featured in fashion magazines or on the catwalk. Hats are marketed as functional pieces rather than fashionable and trend-setting items. This lack in promotion and marketing could be attributed to the sheer expense of shooting high quality campaigns or collaborative events, as well as the effort of posting hat products online in order to effectively reach potential customers.
Evolution of Designs
The hat industry is making a comeback and the new designs are a testament to the change in fashion trends. While wide brimmed hats and fedoras still remain popular, the hat industry has been driven to create fresh designs. Take for example, the Panama hat – a lightweight breathable hat, often made from straw that has been a part of American history for centuries. While the classic brimmed style is still favored by some, the new Panama hat comes in a range of colors and sizes as well as small brimmed and flat topped styles.
More recently, bucket hats and baseball caps have made their mark in the industry. From the high street to the catwalk, brands are no longer afraid to experiment with bolder, contrasting colors and prints, helping the hat industry stay in tune with the changing fashion trends.
Tech Innovation
Tech innovations are also revolutionizing the hat industry. Companies such as New Era have gone so far as to create fully customizable hats. Punters get to choose the fabric, color, and shape of their personalized hats, as well as the ability to add a logo or catchphrase for a more personalized look. Similarly, companies such as Neff provide adjustable caps with different levels of structure and brim shape.
Moreover, increasing collaboration with sport companies has allowed the hat industry to enter the mainstream. In recent years NBA players and soccer teams often collaborate with hat companies in order to create limited edition hats and caps.
Modern Day Trends
Nowadays, the majority of people don’t integrate hats into their daily wardrobe as much, with the exception of the colder seasons. However, people are beginning to explore hats as a chic accessory. Popular styles at the moment include beanies, fedoras, sun hats and berets for women – while men are gravitating towards classic fedoras, baseball caps, and flat caps, as well as more modern trends such as bucket hats.
Expanded shapes and styles have become more widely accepted, and the public’s want for personalized hats has to lead to commissioned designs becoming more common. During an interview, fashion designer, Michelle Dowling suggests that personalized hats can help boost personalities, as they are easily customized to fit in with one’s current style.
Rise of Luxury Hat Brands
Though hats are no longer as popular as they once were, luxury brands are still making their mark on the market. Prada, Gucci, and Akubra have all released signature hats which often come with a high price tag. The trend of luxury hats has seen hats being catered to the higher end of society, as well as the aesthetically fashion-minded.
As well, vintage re-released hats, often embroidered with logos and words, remain popular among some stylists who are looking to finish off their unique looks. Yes, hats may not have the same popularity as they did centuries ago, but the industry is still making a impact in the fashion industry.
Reconnecting with Hat Brands
Hip-hop and rap often refers to headwear in popular songs, reminding the younger generations of their importance. Famous rappers such as Lil Yachty and Migos have been championed for their hats, making them more accessible for their fanbase. This has led to the rise of popular hat companies such as New Era, Mitchell and Ness and Supreme.
Even though high-end brands remain popular, the average consumer looks towards the more affordable and accessible hats that they can easily find. This has allowed the industry to expand and appeal to a larger audience. On the other hand, luxury hat brands have remained resilient despite the general decline in hat wearing.
Adopting the Hat Culture Again
Nowadays, hat wearing is no longer a necessity but choosing to pick up the hat habit shows that the person is paying attention to the world around them. Wearing a hat is a great way to address both fashion as well as functionality, as they are a great way to break up a look or cover up a bad hair day.
Furthermore, to reduce environmental environmental impacts, manufacturers are transforming the fabrication process, using eco- goods to manufacture hats. For example, companies such as Patagonia, which focusses on sustainable and recycling practices, have adopted such practices to manufacture hats.
The hat industry is slowly adapting its services to the modern world. Despite the struggles it faces, hats still remain distinct elements in the fashion industry.
