Hat Wearing Became Unpopular Back in the 60s and I Was One of Those, “I Don’t Wear Hats”

Not long ago, my daughter sent me an article titled “A hundred years ago, everyone wore hats. In 1960, they suddenly stopped. Here’s why.” It took me back. Because you see, I was there. I lived through that time when hats seemed to disappear almost overnight. And I’ll admit it — I was one of those who said, “I don’t wear hats.”

Why Hats Went Out of Style

Looking back, it makes sense. In the 50s and 60s, hairstyles were taking center stage. Beauty parlor visits were weekly rituals, and teased-up hair didn’t leave much room for a hat. A scarf was manageable, but a hat meant dreaded “hat hair.”

For younger women, ponytails paired with poodle skirts were the rage, and a hat just ruined the look. Men slicked their hair back with pomade, and the last thing they wanted was a brim messing it up. Fashion said “no hat,” and most of us gladly complied.

And then came sunbathing. Bathing suits got skimpier, tanning became popular, and the risks of too much sun were brushed aside. After all, we were young, carefree, and cancer was thought of as “something old folks got.”

Of course, there were exceptions. Farmers, construction workers, and factory employees still wore hats out of necessity — for protection or hygiene. But for much of society, leaving the hat behind became a signal: “I’m modern, I’m stylish, I’ve moved on.”

The Consequences of Going Hatless

Now, decades later, we’re dealing with the results. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and one in five Americans will develop it in their lifetime (American Academy of Dermatology). In fact, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined (Skin Cancer Foundation).

Worldwide, the picture is much the same. The World Cancer Research Fund identifies skin cancer as one of the most common cancers across the globe (WCRF), and a 2024 review from the National Library of Medicine ranked it the 17th most common cancer overall — and among the top 15 for both men and women (NLM).

And the rates are not holding steady — they’re climbing. In the U.S., the incidence of basal cell carcinoma rose by 145% between 1976–1984 and 2000–2010, and squamous cell carcinoma rose by 263% during that time (AAD). Globally, incidence and mortality rates for skin cancers continue to rise year after year (NLM).

Looking ahead, the National Cancer Institute projects 104,960 new melanoma cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2025 (SEER Cancer Statistics). Those numbers are sobering — but they also give us an opportunity.

Because here’s the truth: the numbers are there. They tell the story. The world is shifting, and with it, our priorities. When you feel ready, we’ll be here — offering headwear that fits your life and your style.

My Own Hat Journey

I can’t point fingers, because I was part of the “hatless generation.” Growing up in Mississippi, the only time I really remember wearing a hat was on Easter Sunday — and occasionally as part of my dance costumes, which usually meant a headband with tulle and sequins, or sometimes even a tiara. Most of the time, though, I wore pigtails, always with ribbons carefully chosen to match my outfit. And if there was a way to get messy, I’d find it. Later, when my hair was cut short and styled, I had no intention of messing up my new ‘do with a hat of any kind. Besides, hats don’t work well with pigtails anyway. I was a kid, and I don’t recall many of the grown-ups wearing hats either.

The movie stars didn’t seem to be wearing them — Annette Funicello, Judy Garland, and of course Elvis Presley come to mind. And don’t forget the Beatles (though John Lennon did occasionally wear a fisherman-style cap — the very style I now make, and one of my favorite go-to caps). My friends didn’t wear hats. It simply wasn’t required to fit in.

It wasn’t until I started riding motorcycles back in the late 1990s (I got my own motorcycle in 2000) that hats — well, helmets first — re-entered my life. I began wearing do rags under my helmet, then I created the Hair Bag® to manage my long hair while riding. From there, I added caps for comfort and eventually a boonie hat for gardening, which became my go-to during the COVID years when gardening took off. One step at a time, I became a hat wearer — not because of fashion, but because my life called for it.

And that’s often how it happens. You don’t think of yourself as “a hat person” until suddenly, the right situation — or the right hat — comes along.

What I See in My Customers

The same is true for many of my customers. Their reasons aren’t always my reasons, but the journey feels familiar.

• Doctors’ orders: Customers told to wear a hat for medical reasons.

• Cancer survivors: People who’ve had “more holes cut in their face than they care to count” and want prevention, not just treatment.

• Parents: Moms and dads who may not wear hats themselves but know their babies need protection.

• Bald heads: Men (and women) who know just how unforgiving the sun can be.

These aren’t abstract “target markets.” They’re real people. And while my dermatologist was delighted to learn I make headwear — since it puts us both in the game of prevention — I’m not a cancer survivor, and I don’t face baldness myself. But I see those challenges up close, and I want to be part of the solution.

Hats as Everyday Help

That’s why I make the headwear I do today. Practical. Comfortable. Stylish enough to feel good in, functional enough to actually protect. From slouchy beanies that fit over ponytails to boonies for long afternoons outside, I try to offer options for every stage of the hat journey.

Because here’s the truth: the climate isn’t reversing course in our lifetimes. Skin cancer rates aren’t magically going down. But we can make simple choices to protect ourselves — and hats are one of the easiest.

But maybe your life’s journey hasn’t yet called you to seek one. I had a grandmother this year shopping with her granddaughter for a floppy hat. She was from Arizona, and she told me, “We all wear hats there — we know we must.”

Life evolves. New chapters appear. If and when you feel drawn to it, I’d be honored to walk that path with you. Climb on — you might just find the ride is more comfortable (and protective) than you expected. And your future self will be grateful.

So why not start here? Explore styles, sizes, and colors that fit your life. You might be surprised at what you find — and grateful for the protection it gives you in the years to come.

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