Short Takes

Hats

The rise and fall of the custom of wearing hats is an interesting mix of culture and theology.  The first time that I recall wondering about such things was when my five year-old Catholic friend who went to Holy Name Elementary School shared with me her first communion experience.  She looked pretty in her new dress and hat for the occasion.  Soon after that she told me that if she forgot to have a hat or handkerchief(to wear in lieu of a hat) with her when she went to school, she would have to attend the daily mass wearing a book on her head.  I accepted that as reasonable because even in the Presbyterian church where I went the women always wore hats.  I did not understand the theology that went with the custom.

When looking at our wedding pictures, it is evident that the wearing of hats was definitely a cultural thing, but I did not know even then any Biblical imperative to do so.  Then without hardly noticing, and without any theological discussion the wearing of hats became passe.  As far as I could tell it went from a "crowning" highlight of a lady's outfit to an unnecessary encumbrance.

Hats as a matter of fashion took on many styles that changed as quickly as the length of hems.  Some brandished an array of flowers.  Some were encircled with a simple ribbon which trailed down the back.  Some were wide brimmed.  Others had no brim.  Sometime the brims were turned up, sometimes turned down.  Materials varied from felt to fur, woven straw to  starched lace.  Some, like the "pillbox" had to be secured with a hat pin.  Hat pins were also a matter of fashion.  Some bore a large brooch-like decoration.  Others sported a simple pearl.  

I cannot explain the reasons for any of the changes in hat wearing.  I do know that I was pleased to wear some hats, feeling well dressed thereby.  I also did not like wearing a hat because it would mess up my hair.  Decorative hats were an expense that we could not afford as well.  It was a pain to try to keep a hat on when it was windy, especially when one's hands were full of babies, diaper bags, groceries, etc.  I do wonder how women of my mother's generation managed to always wear a hat in spite of the down sides mentioned. 

I understand why the theological reasons for hat wearing are controversial and I am not willing to go there.  I am noticing a bit of a resurgence in hat wearing in some of our sub cultures, but I doubt if the practice will return to our "casual" culture.