Hat Etiquette for Women
Hats are an important part of our wardrobe. And there are hats for just about everything. You name the occasion or event and there’s a hat for it. You can accessorize with a hat in your everyday life.
For example, Fedoras are trending hats for both men and women. I personally have two summer Fedoras that I use on “bad hair days” or as an accessory to my outfit. If you have a collection of many hats, or even if you have just a few, you may want to include one as a topping for your outfit of the day.
Why are we talking about hats in an etiquette blog? Good question. There will forever be some aspect of etiquette in our society, and proper hat etiquette falls into that area. As your etiquette coach, it is essential that I help you become well-versed in hat etiquette. So, let’s go deeper...
There are etiquette rules that govern when you should remove your hat and when it is appropriate to keep it on. And knowing the proper hat etiquette will exhibit your politeness and well-mannered character.
We all know that the proper etiquette for men is to remove their hats when entering a building, however, women have options.
Option 1: A lady may keep a hat on indoors if she wears an accessory hat that is a part of her outfit. For example:
In a private home
At a luncheon, wedding, or garden party
At church
At a movie or any other indoor performance
When the national anthem is sung or played
When the flag of the United States passes by, such as during a parade
Option 2: If a lady is wearing a baseball hat or any other functional hat, she is expected to remove her hat. For example:
In a private home
While dining
While being introduce
In church, unless a hat or head covering is required
At work, unless required for the job
In public buildings such as a school, library, courthouse, or town hall
In restaurants
At a movie or other indoor performance
When the national anthem is sung or played
When the flag of the United States passes by, such as during a parade
You should note that there are two exceptions to these rules. A woman is not required to remove her hat when entering a building unless she finds herself in one of the following circumstances:
She is wearing a wide-brimmed hat and is attending a performance at a theater, at the opera, at the movies, or any indoor seated event where her hat must be removed if people are seated behind her.
It is after 6:00 pm. All ladies’ hats should be removed indoors after 6:00 pm, except for accessory hats. Ladies may keep their hats on while indoors or outdoors at an event before 6:00 pm.
In both circumstances, you are demonstrating your politeness and well-mannered character by removing your hat.
Another act that exhibits your politeness and well-mannered character is when you wear a hat while you are in the company of a companion. Whether you decide to wear your hat tilted to the left or to the right, you must make sure that the brim of the hat does not block your companion’s view of you. So, if you prefer to wear your hat tilted to the right, you should walk and sit on the left side of your companion and vice versa.
Type of Hats
The fashion industry proclaims that trends cycle every 20 years. However, the types of ladies’ hats generally remain the same. So, let’s look at the variety of styles.
Accessory hats are also known as dress hats. They are a part of an outfit.
Functional hats are worn to protect one from hot or cold weather. Baseball hats, beach hats, derbies, visors, and bucket hats are all types of functional hats. Wide-brimmed hats, also known as safari hats or Fedoras, are also types of functional hats. They are among the trendiest hats today. These hats generally have a medium or high crown, a center dent, and a wide brim.
Fedoras Hat
Are worn to protect one from hot or cold weather.
Fascinator hats are high-society hats, widely worn at weddings, tea parties, and other formal events primarily by the royal family in the Monarchy of the United Kingdom. However, women in the United States are known for wearing decorative designs attached to a band or clip to imitate fascinators.
Fascinator H
ats
High-society hats, widely worn at weddings, tea parties, and other formal events primarily by the royal family in the Monarchy of the United Kingdom.
Cowboy hats are high-crown, wide-brimmed hats that are often decorated with bands, ribbons, and bows (at least on women’s hats). The brim on a woman’s cowboy hat is narrower than a man’s.
Cowboy Hats
High-crown, wide-brimmed hats that are often decorated with bands, ribbons, and bows (at least on women’s hats).
Pillbox hats are small hats, usually worn by women. A pillbox hat includes a flat crown, is less than two inches tall, and has no brim. Jackie Kennedy is best known for wearing this style. Like the fascinator hat, it is sometimes tilted on the side.
Pillbox Hats
Small hats, usually worn by women.
As you can see, hats can serve many functions and come in many styles for women. But always remember the key to wearing a hat is knowing the proper hat etiquette.