Style Guide: Are Hats Coming Back?

This writer was out enjoying the sunshine yesterday and catching up on her podcasts when an interesting question presented itself. Why did we stop wearing hats?

Many answers were presented as possibilities, but no real answers were reached. Answers ranged from the rise in car ownership and usage to changes in shampoo formulas to President Kennedy leaving his head bare during his inaugural speech.

But, let’s focus on one possible reason. The intelligent fellows over at Freakonomics suggest that as more and more men drove themselves to work each day there was less and less need for a hat to protect oneself from the wind, rain, and sun.

Will the rise in alternative commuting techniques lead to an increase in hats? Will we see a resurgence of hats in the everyday as opposed to only in special occasions?

And that’s just for the men!

What about women? Here, dear reader, this writer was unable to find any real information. Women’s hats still rule fashion world at events across the world. Horse races in the United States are showplaces for awesome hats. Any even in Great Britain or Ireland is a reason to don some of the most amazing (and expensive!) hats ever created.

So why can’t we wear hats everyday? Why does a fascinator (or whimsy) on a normal Tuesday get an odd look?

Alas, this writer has no real answer here. Perhaps it will simply take a change in the demeanor. The same demeanor that makes appearing in pajamas in public ok. Perhaps we need a resurgence in self love that will result in a newfound love of looking nice. Perhaps we need to embrace the desire to stand out.

So, dear reader, how do you show your individuality? Hats? Fabulous shoes? A flashy tie or bag?