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Whatever happened to hats?

(88 Posts)
ROMILO Wed 11-Mar-26 14:48:27

I was de cluttering the other day. It's not a job I like so I'm easily distracted this time by a box of old photographs.
In there were some photographs of my daughters christening and I was struck by the fact that all the females were wearing hats. They were taken in the 1960's .
Now you only see royals wearing hats on a regular basis. The rest of us maybe weddings only or the weird creations for Ascot.
Every small town had a hat shop now I don't think I have seen a dedicated hat shop for years.

Vintagewhine Thu 12-Mar-26 07:42:20

I wore a hat yesterday. I went to Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival and there were hats adorning heads everywhere. I wore a big fur one which covered my hair, kept it tidy and me warm and IMO was flattering and fun. There were several hat shops in the shopping village selling fabulous creations, feathers and fur are very much in fashion but they never really went out of fashion. I love the opportunity to wear a hat but it's got to be the right proportion for the outfit and face.

Greyduster Thu 12-Mar-26 07:38:28

Apart from the beret and the formal headwear that was part of my Army uniform I have always fought against wearing a hat. The ladies I worked alongside in my office were scandalised when I said I would not be wearing one for my registry office wedding.

I did have a yen a few years ago for a fedora and, on a whim, bought myself a lovely blue one. I have yet to wear it!! DH said all I needed was a machine gun in a violin case and I would look like Al Capone. It sits in the top of my wardrobe.
These days, a Tilley hat to keep the sun off my head and out of my eyes is the only concession I make to headwear.

Grannynannywanny Thu 12-Mar-26 07:33:16

I’m not a hat wearer and loathed having to wear one as part of school uniform in my teens.

My paternal grandmother wouldn’t leave the house without a hat to match her crimplene costume. She worked in a millinery shop.

As a small child in the 1950’s I was fascinated by her box of large hat pins and watched her pinning her hat without flinching. I thought the hat pin was for sticking into her scalp 😆

BlueBelle Thu 12-Mar-26 07:30:35

I ve never worn a hat in my life, since school, as I just don’t like them and I m sure they don’t like me.
I ve never even worn one to a wedding or funeral and have no intention of ever doing so
If it’s cold I ll pull a hood on but hats NO
Bellasnana we were the same at school either velour bowler type or berets in winter and summer panama hat ohhhh yuk, yuk, yuk enough to put you off for ever

HelterSkelter1 Thu 12-Mar-26 07:25:30

Me too Bellasnana. It has to be really really cold for me to wear a pullon knitted hat and even that looks silly on me.
I was once with a friend in a craft type place in an NT water mill. A woman had a lovely stand with beautiful hats. Thee owner tried to persuade me to try one on. I said I just cant wear hats. She replied Nonsense of course everyone can. She eventually had to agree I was right.

Bellasnana Thu 12-Mar-26 07:15:49

Hats were my darling Nana’s passion and she wouldn’t have dreamt of going out without one.

Personally I look frightful in any type of hat and have not worn one since we were forced to wear them as part of our school uniform - awful navy felt ‘pudding basins’ in winter and Panama hats in summer.

My DD2 can wear any hat, even silly ones, and looks stunning!

Calendargirl Thu 12-Mar-26 07:08:16

It’s a good job both Camilla and Catherine look great in a hat.

Dorrain Thu 12-Mar-26 02:52:01

Hats are a must in our sunny Australian climate.

This summer in particular I have seen lots of women my age wearing hats going to the shops or when they are out for their daily walk.

The hat I wear depends on the wind, if its too windy it must be adjustable, I don't like chin straps lol.

mae13 Thu 12-Mar-26 02:17:36

Both formal and everyday headwear seemed to get swept aside in the Swinging Sixties. After that it was either yukky baseball caps - seemingly worn by people who probably have never played baseball/rounders, if their 'chunky' shape is anything to go by - or silk top hats at Ascot. And, of course, those creations that women wear at Ascot on Ladies Day.

I assume we are not classifying those dreadful American baseball/truckers caps as hats? The sight of Mr Trump (he doesn't display the dignity to qualify as 'President') with one of his silly MAGA caps jammed over his candy floss hair extensions makes my point.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 12-Mar-26 02:03:20

Unless you are Queen 😄😄😄

Redhead56 Thu 12-Mar-26 01:50:21

Milliners there used to be quite a few in Liverpool years ago in wealthy areas. I often went to one close to where I worked to buy hat pins. Now forty years later I have one still in my sewing box. I was in a uniformed job and wore a hat even though I hated it I tolerated it.
I don't like hats as they flatten the hair which is not a good look!
People years ago would wear hats that distinguished their class. A concept that is totally irrelevant these days.

Grammaretto Thu 12-Mar-26 01:12:30

After being treated for skin cancer I was told I should wear a sunhat and that Accessorise were having a sale.
I tried on lots of hats which were all too small. I asked if they had any larger ones but was told they only come in one size!

Imagine being told shoes all come in the one size. 😂

I went to an outdoor shop where there were hats in different sizes and I dutifully wear my hat.
In winter I wear a tweed hat which was handmade not by me and I love it. I hope it will see me out.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 12-Mar-26 01:03:57

The reason I wear a sun hat - skin cancer - oncologist recommended - factor 50, wide brimmed sun hat -I have about 5-6 different ones and sun glasses. Not a beam dares shine on my face!!

My mother and sister were/are also sufferers.

Winter - just because it keeps me warm. Although I would wear a hat at every chance tbh which sadly is very little as it does complete an outfit I think.

fancyflowers Thu 12-Mar-26 00:14:19

twiglet77

(Beanies and baseball cap, not in the hat shop) smile

grin

Purplepixie Wed 11-Mar-26 23:22:11

Mam and dad always wore hats. Sadly there aren’t any good hat shops around. I’d love to go back to those days because I love hats.

Allira Wed 11-Mar-26 23:10:48

What to do with old but lovely mother of the bride or groom hats?

I kept my mother-of-the-bride hat just in case I ever got invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace. Alas, no invitation has ever been forthcoming. I haven't been to Cheltenham or Ascot either.

Yes, I often wear a sun hat in summer.

AmberGran Wed 11-Mar-26 22:07:14

I wear sun hats in the Summer. Not very wide brim, just wide enough to protect my hair, neck and face and block out the glare from the sun. I started wearing them when I lived in Sydney and just carried on when I got back.

I used to get some funny looks from neighbours and women on the bus but given some of the strange sights see on a daily basis I'm not worried what other people think 😁

imaround Wed 11-Mar-26 21:59:27

Oops, hit post too soon.

The Americans stared, but I wore that sucker with pride! grin

imaround Wed 11-Mar-26 21:54:02

I have long been jealous of the hat wearing in other parts of the world. I actually wore a fascinator for my anniversary this week! Yes, the

valdavi Wed 11-Mar-26 21:41:37

I love hats too. If I have an excuse to wear one these days, I get one from vinted or a vintage store & send to a charity shop after the occasion.
Think a lot of people do similarly so there's not much trade for a hat shop.
I do own & wear beanies for dogwalking, riding hats & swimming caps but they're no fun.

twiglet77 Wed 11-Mar-26 21:37:12

I still have the bonnets I knitted for my baby girls, with satin ribbons to tie under the chin. Even babies just wear beanies now.

midgey Wed 11-Mar-26 21:26:51

I love hats but I’m not brave enough to wear one…..except a woolly one for dog walking. My daughter bought me an amazing hat from Peru, I’ll keep it safe!

Iam64 Wed 11-Mar-26 20:45:51

I wear a woolly or waterproof hat for dog walking

I bought a huge hat and wore it as mother of the ( ery beautiful ) bride recently

Otherwise no hats

CanadianGran Wed 11-Mar-26 20:13:54

I've never worn a hat for purely aesthetic reasons, only for practical ones. So wooly toques, berets or baseball cap only for me.

I also have quite thick hair, and the idea of a sunhat just makes me sweat. My one straw sun hat is insufferable after about 15 minutes.

NotAGran55 Wed 11-Mar-26 20:00:10

I had to wear hats for school and hated it, and I’ve not worn one since regardless of how hot or cold it is. I don’t ever remember my mum or grandmother wearing one either.