Public stupidity

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:00 am

Fedora wrote:I am one of those men who could give a hoot about what folks think about my dress

And you wear that dress well, my friend.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:48 am

And you wear that dress well, my friend. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Jones Boy · Post by **Jones Boy** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:46 am

I wore my Fed to our Perth office the other week - looked like raining and it did. All suited up to the max as well. My boss's comment was "Wah! A fedora - you style master!" and he is always poking fun, however the comment was nice - at least he recognised it for what it was.

Other folks around the office call me Al Capone or gypsy

although there are a few more who I am slowly educating.

Cheers
Jonesy

enigmata_wood · Post by **enigmata_wood** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:04 am

This works well on anyone in a uniform [work or gang], "I'm cleverly disguised as myself, what are you dressed as?"

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:58 am

You know, it was a sign of insanity when we, and the world let hats slide out of style. And we are paying for it now with the rise of skin cancers, especially on the face. Face it, those old folks knew the dangers of going hatless. Of course, hats were replaced by baseball caps, but these only protect the forehead and the eyes.

So I guess a good "come back" could be, "trying to avoid the skin cancer' that you will ineveitibly get"

It is odd that we have to re-learn certain things as time passes. Like covering up while exposed to those harmful rays of our sun.

As an aside, if the gov't gets involved in preventitive health care, they MAY require the ones on it, to wear a hat!!! And not smoke, and no fast food. All of these contribute to health issues, if not now, later on. Just some thoughts. Fedora

Post by **Mike** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:10 pm

Michaelson wrote:Back in the day when I used to have folks occasionally pull the 'why are you dressed like Indiana Jones', the best remark I ever came up with was to look at them with a blank look, and say 'who?'

I did this at the FL summit as a joke to one of the gang (sorry I'm blanking on who as it was in the morning before my orange juice). But they came up to me saying a bit on the goofy side, "Hey, cool Indiana Jones shirt." I looked at them quizzically, and said "Huh? Oh this? I just bought it because I like blue shirts."

airforceindy · Post by **airforceindy** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:23 pm

maboot38 wrote:I'm at the point where I don't get mad when someone makes a comment about my hat, but it DOES make me mad that people can't at least tell the difference between a cowboy hat and a fedora!!

Come to think of it, people's lack of attention to detail has always been a sore point for me.

The type of people who mistake a fedora for a cowboy hat are probably the same people responsible for this:

I hadn't seen this thread yet (busy weekend). With this picture, I think I just threw up a little bit...

-AFI

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:13 pm

I stopped by a grocery store in another part of town yesterday to pick up some milk, and the cashier, who appeared to be probably 19-20 complimented me on my Fed IV saying how nice it looked on me.

Then she said the clencher.. her brother has one of those Disney World Indiana Jones hats too!

Randy

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:52 pm

theinterchange wrote:I stopped by a grocery store in another part of town yesterday to pick up some milk, and the cashier, who appeared to be probably 19-20 complimented me on my Fed IV saying how nice it looked on me.

Then she said the clencher.. her brother has one of those Disney World Indiana Jones hats too!

Randy

OUCH!!!!!! That is BRUTAL!!!!

Kim Hoffman · Post by **Kim Hoffman** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:40 pm

Heck, just say, "It's a fedora..." People should know about hats. They'll be better for it.

Bullitt · Post by **Bullitt** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:32 pm

maboot38 wrote:Come to think of it, people's lack of attention to detail has always been a sore point for me.

The type of people who mistake a fedora for a cowboy hat are probably the same people responsible for this:

Come on, it's not so bad! Atleast the jacket and hat are made from shrunken lamb.

Mighty_Draw · Post by **Mighty_Draw** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:36 am

maboot38 wrote:
The type of people who mistake a fedora for a cowboy hat are probably the same people responsible for this:

That isn't an adventurebilt and Tony Nowak special package deal!? I think I've just been duped....

I've only gotten one cowboy comment, it was from a cute female so I took it in stride. I like to wear several different fedoras and rotate between hats. However even to some of my friends not in to anything vintage, all fedoras are an "Indy hat". I've given up trying to explain the differences, I've been forced to accept that the difference between some of the hats is rather nuanced.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:02 pm

I've received the cowboy comment once.. and it was from a girl who wasn't even of kindergarten age. Her dad was quick to say "wrong type of hat honey" while giving me a "thumbs up" look.

Randy

Nicolas Jones · Post by **Nicolas Jones** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:06 pm

What I do when I have that kind of comment?

Jean moulin was a great figure of French resistance against the nazis... he is well known here.

When someone mention the "cowboy" stupidity, I reply "yeah, in this case, Jean Moulin was a cowboy too".

I am sure than you can find a very well known person in your history who wore feds and was not a cowboy...

regards,

Nico

Snapbrim76 · Post by **Snapbrim76** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:18 pm

Nice one, Nico although I'm struggling to think of a famous Englishman who wore a fedora. The most famous man in English fedora-wearing history was Winston Churchill who nearly always wore a homburg. Still I could always mention Al Capone who is probably the most famous fedora wearer after Indy.

The only problem is, the kind of ignorant late-teen who normally make these remarks probably won't have heard of him. Let's just hope this new Johnny Depp film Public Enemies helps put the spotlight back on a very stylish era of fashion.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:19 pm

Snapbrim76 wrote:Let's just hope this new Johnny Depp film Public Enemies helps put the spotlight back on a very stylish era of fashion.

I'd think if Depp were going to make that big a difference in popular opinion, he'd have already done so with his frequent wearing of fedoras. But, one can only hope the added "oomph" that a larger than life movie character gives will be kindling for a fire.

Randy

Snapbrim76 · Post by **Snapbrim76** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:47 pm

Yes he does wear a fedora quite a lot off-set. But new films breed new hero characters and fast-track them to the forefront of modern culture. Whereas the actor Depp just gets ignored as people generally view him as a bit bohemian. We all love a super hero! And gangster films remind people (especially the gangster-obsessed modern youth) that fedoras can look cool. Not that we should really care what they think. It would just be nice if the general public could appreciate the sophisticated style of a wide-brim felt.

KingHamlet · Post by **KingHamlet** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:29 am

Michaelson's "Who?" response is amazingly effective. I sometimes use it on my classmates for a variety of things (it's become something of a "social experiment" of mine to see how people try to explain jokes or plotlines to books/movies to people who haven't seen them). It throws them off balance.
I'd like to echo others statements about remaining civil. Sarcasm won't 'educate' anyone.

Snapbrim76 · Post by **Snapbrim76** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:05 am

KingHamlet wrote:I'd like to echo others statements about remaining civil. Sarcasm won't 'educate' anyone.

True. Besides not everyone will respond well to sarcasm. Some people are just after a fight and I'd rather not get my head kicked in by a group of drunk show-offs just for the sake of having the last word.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:18 am

Snapbrim76 wrote: Let's just hope this new Johnny Depp film Public Enemies helps put the spotlight back on a very stylish era of fashion.

Yeah, that, or we'll starting hearing more 'why are you wearing a gangster hat' than 'cowboy hat' in the near future.

Regards! Michaelson

Philippines Jones · Post by **Philippines Jones** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:45 am

Honestly, once you get a certain age, most folks just don't care what others think anymore. There are grander things to be considered. Age gives a man perspective. Fedora

Fedora, I totally agree. Being 57 years young now, I love to watch other people when
I wear my hat (And that is EVERY time I go out).

I'm just waiting to play with someone who makes a comment.
And here in the Philippines, I get the cowboy hat comment all the time.

When they say 'Nice cowboy hat' or 'Where did you get the cowboy hat?', I love saying:

... 'Not a cowboy hat,

It's my Adventure Hat, you know like Indiana Jones.

Don't you think it looks the hat in the movie'?
(Maybe they'll even want one for themselves - no finder fee of course)

By this time they realize what it really is. And it usually stops the Smart Alecs dead in their tracks. $\:D/$

-Kenneth

hocfutue · Post by **hocfutue** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:26 pm

We could sticky post a list of comebacks, much like some Highland regiments have for replies to "The Question."

"What's with the hat?" "Usually a whip and a gun."
"Who do you think you are?" "My name's Steve. Who do you think YOU are?"
"Why are wearing that?" (As I look at the water falling out of the sky) "Because it's RAINING?"
"Where's your horse?" "Dunno. Where's your baseball team?" (guy had a cap on)
"Why are you wearing a gangster hat?" "It's a warning."
"Where's your whip?" "Hmm, what did you have in mind?"

Usually my response to the rare harassing comment is a quick visual scan of the boor and a "You're giving ME fashion commentary?" eyebrow raise.

But the most frequent comments I get are "Nice hat!" "I like your hat!" etc. Those responses are easy--smile and say "Thank you."

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:39 pm

My favorite was at this past Finger Lakes summit when a whole bunch of us met for dinner on a rainy Thursday night. A guy at the table next to us asked, "What's with the hats?" Without missing a beat, Dalexs said, "It keeps the rain off my head," and left it at that. It wasn't the answer he was looking for, but it was the answer he got.

Restless Dreamer · Post by **Restless Dreamer** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:09 pm

I usually don't bother to explain people the difference between a fedora and a cowboy hat. the point is, they couldn't care less. but I don't get many cowboy comments. I usually get "you look like a mafioso" comments because I ofetn wear my hat with a black coat and black leather gloves; and, of course, many Indy comments. the way I react may vary.

I was watching a Live RPG, some years ago, in my "mafioso" outfit. then a guy, dressed like an elven warrior, comes to me and says "baciamo le mani" (a typical mafia related greeting). I really didn't know how to react: if ignore him, smile, get angry...I was confused: YOU are dressed like some fairy freak, faking epic battles with plastic weapons, and I am the strange one?

yes, I was. the point is: you are strange if you differ from the mass. in that case, the mass was composed by people playing a RPG. back in the old days, the mass was composed by people wearing hats. it's all about the context.

here in Caserta, where I live, the mass of teenagers is composed mainly by people like this guy

It's just me, or the world is strange?

I mean...WE are the riddicoulous nerds imitating Indy. WE are the ones looked like aliens.

take another look at that picture and have a good laugh

wembley · Post by **wembley** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:42 pm

Restless Dreamer wrote:

take another look at that picture and have a good laugh

It's really hypocritical to rant about those juding your hats then put a picture up like this.....

Who am I kidding what the #### is he wearing!!!!??? LOL

To funny for words.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:46 pm

What is that a Kriss Kross reunion photo?

Is he Mac Daddy or Daddy Mac?

Randy

p.s if you think I had the duo's names in my memory, you'd be wrong I wikipediaed them. hehe

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:07 pm

Good. You were starting to worry me!

Regards! Michaelson

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:24 pm

Hey! There's where my other socks went!

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:30 pm

Michaelson wrote:Good. You were starting to worry me!

Regards! Michaelson

Now if we were talking about Hammer Pants....

Randy

Post by **Jens** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:02 pm

Please ... you can't touch this!

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:13 pm

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:19 pm

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:13 pm

Excellent observation.

To be clear, I was

regarding Jens awful pun.

I see folks dressed like that quite often, believe it or not, but usually at night, and the big difference is when they dress that way, they're TRYING to get noticed. That's a bit different that just wearing a hat to get a cup of coffee.

Back at 'cha.

Regards! Michaelson

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:58 pm

Tundrarider wrote:The public is somehow "stupid" while we "Fedora sportin' folks" are superior or enlightened.

I always am amazed when we, (COW Members) as a group of people who are basically "out of step" with the "normal" folks out there, make fun of another group who are "out of step" in their own ways.

I may hold an unpopular opinion on this issue, but it would be cowardly of me to feel it and sit quiet out of fear of reprisal.

Thanks.

Michael

I agree with you Michael.

Randy

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:35 pm

Well stated, Randy. And it takes courage to stand up for what you believe in, especially if you feel it's against the grain. While some of us jest in good fun, others do, sadly, judge based off appearances. It's a sad truth. At the same time, some do dress to be seen, while others dress comfortably for themselves and honestly could care less as to what others think.

The public is somehow "stupid" while we "Fedora sportin' folks" are superior or enlightened.

I think that some of us "hat snobs" (and I can be one myself) take such pride in our hats that we get offended whenever anyone calls it something other than a fedora. It's easy to create a sense of superiority to others in that we know what it is, unlike the uneducated masses who are brainless and could never possibly understand or appreciate such a fine hat. Sure that sounds a bit over the top, but I bet many of you see the noticeable grain of truth behind it, even if you would not care to.

While I may occasionally chuckle at what some may wear, I never disrespect them for it. A good example are the guys who wear their jeans halfway down their backside. While I may want to finish the job and yank them down to their ankles, I don't actually hate them because of it. It is their choice and their expression, even if I do not care for it. I won't take that away from them. It's exactly like judging a book by its cover, you don't know what's printed on the pages until you open it up and read them. In high school and art school I used to like to dress "out of the norm." I also enjoyed providing a bit of shock value because it made the statement that so many are uncomfortable with things outside their comfort zones. If they would only engage me in conversation, they would learn that there's more underneath it all. One of my favorite bits (YEARS ago!) was going into a Christian bookstore to pick up a special ordered book. The owners knew me and how crazy I could be. I walked, as a friend described it, dressed "like a cross between Cabaret and the Rocky Horror Picture Show," makeup and all. The owners of the shop laughed because they knew me, but BOY did I have fun sensing the discomfort of everyone else in the store.

The point is, we all strive to be individuals. ("We're all individuals!" "...I'm not.") The problem is that despite our individuality, we still often end up conforming into certain groups. How many of us dress like Indiana Jones? An awful lot of us. Why else are we here? How many wear the jerseys of our favourite sports team or athlete? Goths, anyone? There's nothing wrong with that. There is very little that is truly and wholly unique, but we can still express our individuality from within, regardless of what we wear on the outside. The challenge is to recognize that because one group or person doesn't recognize or appreciate our aesthetics, it doesn't mean that we have to act the same way.

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:12 pm

hocfutue wrote:"Who do you think you are?" "My name's Steve. Who do you think YOU are?"

Haha! That is a good one!

You know I'd probably turn around and say, really sarcastically. "Gee, did you come up with that all by yourself?!?"

Either that, or just give them the IndyStareTM

*Note* The IndyStare - IndyStareTM is a Trademark of Canyon Industries.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:24 pm

Bullitt wrote:
maboot38 wrote:Come to think of it, people's lack of attention to detail has always been a sore point for me.

The type of people who mistake a fedora for a cowboy hat are probably the same people responsible for this:

Come on, it's not so bad! Atleast the jacket and hat are made from shrunken lamb.

Funny

Even funnier is that jacket and hat are 'official' licensed items

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:31 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote:......... A good example are the guys who wear their jeans halfway down their backside. .........

Plumbers?

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:54 pm

Bink, I think you NAILED it. Hats off.

-M

Snapbrim76 · Post by **Snapbrim76** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:25 am

Hey guys let's not forget that I started this topic about people who confront me in the street for my choices in fashion and get it wrong. If I had approached one of the kids in the photo and said "why are you wearing...?" then I would have no right to write this thread. But I didn't and I wouldn't cos I personally have respect for peoples choices.

I don't personally agree with mocking the kids in the photo but I understand that the original point of the picture was to highlight the fact that our choices are different but we're not the only ones.

Back to the original point, how many of you would actually verbally confront (or call out abuse to) one of these kids? I'm willing to bet none of you. And its THAT kind of ignorance that I labelled 'public stupidity' in the first place. It's not JUST the lack of knowledge about fedoras, it's the audacity of those who make public their ignorance.

Lets just hope that the kid in the picture isn't a member of COW!

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:49 am

agreed snapbrim. Most us would say nything to someone else about what tehy were wearing or how they looked.

Although, I think if B(r)ink appeared as something from Rocky Horror Picture show now, there'd be a lot of tongue biting.....

3thoubucks · Post by **3thoubucks** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:15 am

"cowboy" is a compliment, IMO. Indy was a cowboy, he grew up in Utah, rode a horse well, carried a revolver on his hip, carried a whip, reminiscent of a cowboy lasso or lariat. His hat was sweat stained and dusty. Ford played cowboys on TV and in the movie "Frisco Kid". Cowboys are admired. I grew up in San Francisco, but lived in rural Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona, just to try and get a taste of what remains of that "cowboy" feeling of wide open country and freedom. It was well worth my time.

Snapbrim76 · Post by **Snapbrim76** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:27 am

Fantastic pictures! Thanks for sharing them.

You're right, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a cowboy. But if you're not a cowboy and you wear a cowboy hat in the city then the townies will think you're either weird or a member of the Village People... and the real cowboys will look down on you for wearing the hat without earning it!

Being a hat collector I do own a beaver Resistol western hat, but I only wear it in the privacy of my own home. Where I live is a bit of a hip hop neighbourhood - don't think people round here would compliment me very much.

enigmata_wood · Post by **enigmata_wood** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:54 am

back to the original topic of [scornful] public stupidity
The Vikings had this to say:

The foolish man for friends all those
Who laugh at him will hold;
When among the wise he marks it not
Though hatred of him they speak.

It's a quote from the Havamal, an Old Norse text over 1000 years old. It contains much wisdom about honourable and manly behavior that is still relevant

Post by **Jens** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:07 am

Michaelson wrote:To be clear, I was regarding Jens awful pun.

Pun? What pun?

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:11 am

Personally I could care less WHAT anyone wears in public, as long as they don't get in my face and demand that I publically acknowledge I like it. It makes no difference to me one way or the other.

Heck, I had an entire group of hard core goths working in my garage for 2 years, and what the kid is wearing in the photo above isn't a PATCH to what I'd see on a daily basis.

I've told this story a couple times, but maybe it's time to tell it again. I walked into a 'goth' style store with my youngest daughter many years ago. It was full of goth kids, and the speakers were blaring heavy metal music, and black lights lit the walls. When she found a tee shirt she liked, I took it up to the counter. The young lady cashier was gothed out with black and purple hair, enough metal piercings in her ears, nose, lip and eyebrow to have built a nice Buick, and entirely dressed in black leather.

I, in turn, was wearing a fedora and jacket. I was definitely the 'odd man out' in this environment.

She looked me right in the eye and asked, 'Mister, does it bother you to have to deal with a person looking like me?'

I said, 'No, if it doesn't bother you having to sell something to someone who's dressed like Indiana Jones.'

She stood there for a second, grinned, and said, 'I LIKE you, mister!' then sold me the teeshirt.

DO what you like. Just don't DEMAND respect because you're wearing something out of the 'norm' for the area you're wearing it. Respect is earned, and in many cases quietly earned. This where the point has been missed. It's one thing to DEMAND attention, and quite another to just be doing something that may be different to others in an unstated manner. Personally, I respect folks who have that kind of courage...to be different, be it in dress or action, and just do it in a natural, unassuming manner. If I take offense to their choice of dress or action in that regard, who is wrong? I am, of course.

Michael, to you sir, I'm sorry you consider this thread as 'a thorn in your side'. I think you judging the writers to this thread as being snobs, or in an 'us vs. them' frame of mind, when all we're offering is support to a community member is a bit unfair myself, but I will let it go.

I'm sure we'll both get over it.

Fedora:

Honestly, once you get a certain age, most folks just don't care what others think anymore. There are grander things to be considered. Age gives a man perspective. Fedora

Ain't THAT the truth! Heck, who am I to talk. I wear fedoras, a handlebar moustache, and drive a 1950 Plymouth to work everyday. You want to know what folks talk about when they see or refer to me? I'm the old guy with the moustache and hat who drives that antique CAR!!! ...and most of the time they don't even see ME, but only the car!

Regards! Michaelson

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:31 am

Who am I kidding what the #### is he wearing!!!!??? LOL

That's a clown's suit.

Regarding the sagging britches, I think what we must consider is "taste", as in being tasteful. Dressing like a character from the 1930's is alot more tasteful, than dressing like some sort of clown. Now, granted, the clownish folks are expressing themselves, in the way that seems fit for them. But how far do you take this? It is a matter of degree.

Wearing a set of trousers so you show your under drawers is meant to shock, not to be tasteful. It is meant to illustrate who you are, and in most cases, this means a thug of sorts. I was brought up on the Lone Ranger, and goodness, overcoming evil. Today we seem to celebrate things opposed to that.

So, if you dress like a gangsta, what are you trying to convey to the folks around you? That you partiscipate in drive by shootings? That this makes you more of a man? That you embrace the things that tear down a society? To even equate this sort of dress with Indy is a big mistake. I love what Indy stands for. I detest what the saggy trousers stand for. I draw my own lines, but my side of that line stands for principles, and those principles are what separate us from the people who have NO principles.

The way you dress, the way you act, says volumes about you. This ain't something new. I recall the leather motor cycle jackets and tight jeans, that the "hoodlums" of my childhood wore. Now granted, most of these guys were just playing, and their behaviour was actually very civil, as they had been raised correctly by great parents. So, we put up with them, and their adolescent whims. But, that is not what is going on today. The mindset has changed.

Back when my girls were dating, if a kid showed up at my house looking like a gangsta, the date was off!!! I assumed if he wanted to look like a gangsta, he must also want to act like one. NOT WITH MY GIRLS! My girls ended up marrying guys who detested this gangsta look, and everything that goes with it. Which made dear old dad, very, very happy.

The manner in which you present yourself to the world is very important. We must not forget that. Fedora

Ranger36 · Post by **Ranger36** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 11:54 am

Right on, Fedora!

Illinois James · Post by **Illinois James** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:28 pm

I think mostly young people are still chasing fads like always, although there always seems to be some fringe elements that really are disturbing. Fedora's right on with the parenting aspect of that. To paraphrase an ancient text, abstain from the appearance of evil, (as well as the evil)!

You can try to tell someone the how's and why's of the hat; if they listen, you've enlightened them: if they ignore you, they're truly ignorant. I expect comments because of the obvious reason that people seldom see fedoras worn, and most people are going to think, sometimes out loud, INDIANA JONES. I got a (short for Richard)'Dic k Tracy' from a guy I work with in his mid-eighties. I've gotten 'Elliot Ness' as well. Capone too. Also 'are you a real cowboy?' from a little girl. You might hear any reference here near Chicago.

It's true that many of us are re-learning what was not-long-ago common knowledge regarding the hats. I've always been an Indy fan, but the jacket was the big piece of gear for me---until I started helping my Dad with putting up hay. I learned the value of the wide brimmed hat in the middle Tennessee sun and rain. Not because it was my style..It's practical. My hats are both practical and presentable.

If someone makes truly negative comments toward me--and I can tell when it's negative or just 'poking fun'--I'll finally just say, hey, it's just a hat, man.

IndianaGuybrush · Post by **IndianaGuybrush** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:06 pm

As someone who is wearing the item of contention a good deal of the responsibility of a given negative encounter rests squarely on your shoulders. While I do admire people who wear what they choose regardless of what others might think, wearing certain things to certain places seems almost antagonistic. As a for instance, wearing gear to a hip-hop concert... Then again that might be a poor example, a number of the clientele there will be wearing hats... and possibly carrying canes.

Environment and situation plays a major factor on how someone looks in anything, but a hat especially. Are you wearing a T-shirt, shorts and a fedora? Guess what, attention is going to be drawn to the fedora, which in this instance clashes anachronistically. This is compounded by the fact that most people here are wearing an Indy fedora, which has a relatively wide brim. The width makes that hat look more formal, while current fashion suggests that thinner brims are more casual and can be worn with a wider array of clothing.

In the end it comes down to common sense. You know how you look when you walk out the door wearing a fedora. You know you like it, but you also know that other people might not. If you let yourself get riled by every moron who wants to look good in front of their friends you are going to be wasting a lot of time and energy fuming. Most of the time I don't even bother trying to come up with a response, I just smile. If they say something sarcastic I thank them and pretend I don't understand the sarcasm which renders it pretty much powerless.

You are making the choice to wear the fedora, which is an item that is NOT currently being worn by the majority of people. In this instance, you are a minority and you will receive the attention inherently associated, both good and bad. This means that you have 2 things you can control: when you wear the fedora, and how you deal with people who are in turn reacting to YOU. Everything else needs to be taken in stride, it's out of your hands.

Too preachy?