Tradition dictates pretty hats be worn at weddings in Europe! Our youngest daughter, Caroline, had this one designed by a milliner in New York City to complement the pink dress that she wore to her sister's wedding, which was held in the Berlin Dom, Germany. You can tell from her smile that it was a glorious day!
My darling grandson in England, a dapper dresser like his father, asked me if he should take his hat off when being introduced to someone... well, that certainly inspired me for the topic today!
Gentlemen: Yes, a hat should be removed out of respect when being introduced to someone and especially with or while in the presence of a lady! For other occasions, a hat should be removed when the national anthem is played, upon entering a church, a restaurant, a private home, a school, a theater or movie, in a place of business, or during business meetings. A loose rule of thumb for men is to remove your hat when indoors or in the presence of a lady.
A less formal, but still acceptable, gesture for gentlemen is to simply lift the hat off the head for a moment, nod, and place it back on. One may tip the hat by the brim too, just like the cowboys did in western movies.
For both men and women, any hat may be worn outside and in public places such as in elevators, airports, hotels, and public transportation.
Ladies: Oh, lucky you! Your pretty dress hats do not need to be removed when indoors, when the national anthem is played, or any of the above rules for men because your hat is deemed as a fashion accessory for your outfit! The exception is if a lady is wearing an informal hat which is worn for warmth in the winter and should be taken off while indoors.
After five in the evening, or once the sun sets, a lady does not wear a brimmed hat. The reasoning behind this is that a brim is not needed after sunset.
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Millennial Tip
Which side are ornaments such as bows, pins, feathers, or flowers placed on a hat?
Women are always RIGHT! Right?! Yes, bows, pins, and other ornamentation are traditionally placed on the right side of a woman's hat. Although, these days, milliners are quite creative and embellish all aspects of a hat.
For gentlemen, the ornamentation goes on the left side of the hat.
Ladies should be sure to respectfully check with hosts when invited to attend a wedding, funeral, or christening in Europe as well as other countries to see if they recommend that a hat be worn. It is customary for ladies to wear elegant hats to these functions, which I think is simply splendid, as it adds to the celebratory elegance and time honored tradition of these events.
Frankly, baseball caps tend to be the prominent hat of choice these days for both men and women, especially in the United States. Baseball caps are considered a man's hat, or a unisex hat, so the same rules would apply to women as to men, meaning hats off during the National Anthem and the other formal occasions mentioned previously.
All hats may be left on at all times for both men and women if it is for medical reasons. No questions asked.
Forbidden Faux Pas
No-no: When removing a hat as a courtesy while being introduced, to have the lining face the other person.
What is done: The lining, once the hat is removed, is held toward you, not the other person.