period-authentic hat etiquette from '30's - '50's

[Jehster]

I posted this in the Do You Really? thread, but realized it might get more traffic if it was its own topic (btw, thanks Raider 57 for your response):


I was aware of some of the rules regarding being indoors or outdoors, and it's certainly interesting reading it from a modern point of view. Could anyone who's posted above comment about what, if anything, would have been done differently "in period"? I'm working on a play that's set in the 1940s, very film noir, and would love to have some real specific details about proper hat usage and etiquette ... particularly because it could be useful for some characters to 'screw it up' occasionally, probably on purpose as an insult to whom they're speaking. I know it won't matter to most of the audience, but it helps to have as many of the details as authentic as possible. And seriously, I'm looking for anything that you have any info on ... was it impolite to show the inside of the hat while you were holding it? (that's a big no-no in A CHORUS LINE, for instance); does one hold it with one or two hands? how would a man hand his fedora to a servant in a rich person's home, and would it make any difference if it was a male or female servant? are there protocols about how/when to deal with both a hat, an overcoat, and a suitcoat (I imagine coat off first and then hat, to keep one's hands free? And then the reverse of that when leaving? But that just seems like common sense to me, and I'm not sure if the actual rules where different. And I'm not a hat wearer [yet ... can't wait for the factory ABs to come out!], so I don't have any first-hand experience.) for that matter, do you take your hat off when you enter the restaurant, or only once you're about to sit down? is a higher-status character more likely to put on his fedora by the crown instead of the brim because he can afford a new one -- or not, because of the "old money" mentality? would a European follow different etiquette rules from an American? etc etc.

If it's accurate, no detail is too trivial, so don't be shy! Everything and anything could/should be communicating to the audience, even if it's to only a small percentage of knowledgeable folks ... but if the hat usage is wrong, and the gun handling is wrong, and the dialects are wrong, ... well, eventually that's too many inaccuracies, and they add up, even if everyone doesn't pick up on everything.

Or, is there some book or link that you could point me towards for the same questions? Again, I'm not looking for what's evolved into modern usage (like the lack of hat pegs in restaurants leading to a dilemma that wouldn't have previously existed), but what was actually done in the USA from the mid '30s - mid '50s.

Thanks in advance!

Ted

[Fedora]

The way I always felt about this, is hats went out of fashion. With that, the book was burned on hat etiquette.

The etiquette got so detailed in England prior to the war that it was nightmaresh, at least according to one author that I read many, many years ago.

For me, I take my hat off when I go to bed. My ex used to insist upon it!!!

As Michaelson once pointed out, in the old days, the only folks wearing hats inside were the coppers.

For me, it goes on when I leave my house to drive to my shop. It comes off when I hit the shower-sometimes......just depending if I am gonna wash my hair or not. Being a bit strange, I even wore it once in the shower back in the early days of COW. Heck, I wanted to see if a particular hat would keep my head dry!!! And it wasn't raining. So, I improvised.

Basically, I pull off my hat when I take off my shoes, unless I am outside, wading a stream and don't want to slosh in wet shoes, er, boots. Fedora

[Michaelson]

As Michaelson once pointed out, in the old days, the only folks wearing hats inside were the coppers.

Them, and members of the press.

Regards! Michaelson

[Piker]

Search for a 1930's Amy Vanderbilt etiquette book. Emily Post too.

Any POME's here on COW be able to recommend an etiquette book of that time period from across the pond?

[Dakota Ellison]

I'm with Fedora on this one. Kinda like Ed Norton on the Honeymooners.
I have installed a hat hook in the bathroom, though.

[JerseyJones]

Growing up in a Catholic school environment, which insisted on politeness dating back to about the 11th century or so, here is what I know.

NEVER wear a hat indoors, but for in a department store, diner if seated at the counter or in a foyer/entry when checking one's coat.

Remove your hat/tip it for a lady passing who acknowledges your presence. Tipping to a man was considered at best, a little odd, unless he was an elderly gentlemen.

Remove your hat in a church.

There are more rules. I am trying to do some research in to a new little pamphlet on hat wearing that I may put out under the Camptown Hats name. This is still VERY developmental , so there are no due dates.

JJ

[Fedora]

I'm with Fedora on this one. Kinda like Ed Norton on the Honeymooners.
I have installed a hat hook in the bathroom, though

Love it.

Really though, some of those old hat etiquettes got rather detailed and complicated with the passage of time, and of course which part of the world you were in. Personally, I say good riddance. Tipping your hat to a lady will never go out of style though, especially if you are single. Or just want to appear gallant, which isn't a bad thing. I like some of it, but not much. I always took my hat off in church though. But, that's about it.

Ed Norton, one of my fav characters from early tv. Wish they still reran that show on cable like they used to. Good comedy never gets old. Fedora