I love this piece! I, too, mourn the passing of hat wearing and I’m trying to bring it back in my own way. I’m taking a vintage Mayser fedora in dark olive to Kyoto in a couple of weeks to wear along the Tetsugaku no Michi, where it should not look out of place. Your dad’s advice holds just as true today as when you heard it—it’s too bad practically nobody heeds it anymore in America. Great images in this post, but the last is the best of all—let’s go somewhere you can sport that lid, Sensei!
The other reason why I think people wore hats was the smoke and general air pollution. That's another reason why you take them off indoors because you don't want a hat with stinky ash on your head there.
As air pollution decreased in cities the wearing of hats did likewise. Out in the countryside where people wear hats for sun protection they are still worn because the sun still shines just as it did.
Great story, Patrick. It's true one can understand many things about culture by looking at how people dress.
I don't look very good with a hat, but I've recently started wearing them when it's very cold and very hot, mainly because of my hair's disappearing act.
The thing about hats is that they are useful, and I think that makes them work on just about any head. I have to admit - mine is not the best for them, either, but I think they make anyone look better outdoors!
I love this piece! I, too, mourn the passing of hat wearing and I’m trying to bring it back in my own way. I’m taking a vintage Mayser fedora in dark olive to Kyoto in a couple of weeks to wear along the Tetsugaku no Michi, where it should not look out of place. Your dad’s advice holds just as true today as when you heard it—it’s too bad practically nobody heeds it anymore in America. Great images in this post, but the last is the best of all—let’s go somewhere you can sport that lid, Sensei!
The other reason why I think people wore hats was the smoke and general air pollution. That's another reason why you take them off indoors because you don't want a hat with stinky ash on your head there.
As air pollution decreased in cities the wearing of hats did likewise. Out in the countryside where people wear hats for sun protection they are still worn because the sun still shines just as it did.
That's a great point!
Great story, Patrick. It's true one can understand many things about culture by looking at how people dress.
I don't look very good with a hat, but I've recently started wearing them when it's very cold and very hot, mainly because of my hair's disappearing act.
PS The guys in the first photo look like thugs.
They do, don't they? I love that photo.
The thing about hats is that they are useful, and I think that makes them work on just about any head. I have to admit - mine is not the best for them, either, but I think they make anyone look better outdoors!