Hat Etiquette

I have recently been researching Hat Etiquette so I thought I would share some of my research advice with you:

Ladies Hat Etiquette

For women, dress hats do not need to be removed when indoors. This rule of etiquette has developed out of the role of women’s hats as an outfit-specific accessory as opposed to a general one. Where men may have many hats available to match a variety of outfits, women may match only one hat with a single outfit. By a similar rule, women’s hats worn strictly for warmth should be removed when indoors.

Men are expected to remove their hats during the playing of the National Anthem. A woman may leave her hat on during the playing of The National Anthem when indoors, unless it is considered unisex like a baseball cap. When wearing such a unisex cap, a woman should follow the same guidelines as for men.

For men’s hats, any ornaments or decoration are worn on the left side of the hat. The opposite is true of women’s hats; hat pins and other ornaments should be placed on the right.

If you remember this – WOMEN ARE (ALWAYS) RIGHT – Bow on the Right for Women

If you’re wearing what is traditionally thought of as a man’s hat, such as a baseball cap or a Panama hat, you should follow all the rules for men, above.

Hats traditionally thought of as “women’s hats,” with ribbons, bows, feathers, flowers, or other ornamentation, or in delicate colours and materials, including the small hats worn on the front of the head and known as fascinators, may be kept on indoors for all occasions, except when you’re wearing a large hat at the movies, the theatre, or any other kind of performance event. In this case, remove it and place it on your lap so that people behind you can see the stage.

Women should wear a hat to Royal Ascot and smart race meetings; hats are traditional, but by no means compulsory, at weddings, and a matter of personal choice for christenings and funerals.