Hat Etiquette: Your Guide To Properly Wearing Your Hat

Hats are the epitome of fashion and function. Knowing when to wear a hat can be just as important as knowing what hat to wear.

At a glance

  • In 2024, you can be comfortable leaving your hat on in nearly any situation.
  • There are a handful of times when people momentarily remove their hats, such as during the National Anthem or when the flag of the United States passes.
  • A hat tip is a conventional gesture of politeness that can be interpreted as a simplistic and old-fashioned greeting.
  • You can leave your hat on in public spaces and many private spaces, including in public buildings, on elevators, and outdoors.
  • You might need to remove your hat at religious services unless a head covering is part of the practice.
  • Depending on your company, you might need to remove your hat at mealtimes, in an office setting, or in someone else’s home.
  • Hat etiquette is completely subjective! Don’t play by the rules too much, as it’s not improper to wear your cap in nearly any situation in 2024.

Taking off your hat in certain situations can be a monumental sign of respect, but you don’t need to overthink it. We’re not in the Middle Ages anymore, and you’ll be safe wearing your favorite snapback hat nearly any place and any time.

Keep reading, and we’ll share everything you need to know about hat etiquette in 2024.

See Related: How To Wear A Hat With Long Hair: Tips And Tricks

General hat etiquette

Whether it’s the peak of baseball season or the midst of winter, there’s never a bad time to wear hats. From Double Portion Supply’s bold German Beanie to our Flexfit brand baseball caps, these custom caps are about more than fashionable headwear.

Regardless if you’re merely shielding your eyes from the sun or you’re making a bold fashion statement, the right hat can be the cornerstone of your daily look.

a man wearing a hat in a subway ladies tip sign someone's home lade women remove their hats woman indoors ladies gentleman lady indoors indoors house woman lady hats hatsHowever, for your hat to live up to its trendy appeal, you need to know when you should wear it. Rest assured, you’ll be fine wearing a hat in 99.9% of any and all scenarios. It’s only a handful of times that you might need to remove your hat, and it’ll only be for a moment.

You don’t need to take your hat off in most situations

We’re not in the Middle Ages anymore. If a medieval knight didn’t remove his helmet or visor when he should’ve, the consequences could be fatal. Luckily, that’s far from the case nowadays.

Hat etiquette for men and women can be different. And there are a handful of times when you should take your hat off (but still keep it in hand) just to be respectful.

Should you wear your hat during the National Anthem?

Men’s hats should be removed during the National Anthem or when the national flag of the United States passes. The U.S. Flag Code is far from mandatory, but it is advisory. It’s simply about showing respect. Don’t worry – you can place your cap back on your head in a moment.

When you are holding your hat, make sure only the outside is showing. It’s considered proper hat etiquette, and it’s also a great chance to show off your custom hat embroidery!

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The Sunrise Snapback Hat from Double Portion Supply

You can leave on baseball caps and other hats in many public settings

If you’re planning on entering public buildings or public transportation, you’ll be fine leaving your cap on. You can even wear your hat inside a theater or at an indoor performance, as long as you’re not obstructing anyone’s view (you won’t need to worry about this if you’re wearing low-profile baseball-style caps.)

Hat rules can be subjective, so don’t overthink it!

Though plenty of people say that you should take your hat off anytime you enter restaurants, cafes, or coffee shops, that’s not necessarily applicable in 2024. You can comfortably sit down at a booth or bar and leave your hat on – we doubt anyone will draw offense to it.

You can leave your hat on indoors or in any public space. A gentleman may tip his hat in greeting when a lady enters the vicinity, but hat tipping itself is a rather outdated practice. That’s the closest that your hat needs to come off. Otherwise, leave your newest hat or piece of headwear on your noggin!

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The Full Pink Floral Snapback Hat from Double Portion Supply

Bonus: Should You Keep The Stickers On Your Hat?

When women wear hats

Men’s hat etiquette can be considered more uptight than women’s hat etiquette. That’s because hats are easily seen as a fashion accessory for women, not unlike a piece of jewelry or a purse. Dress hats and other fashion statements can be left on at all times, even in someone’s home or at religious services.

Should you wear hats at religious services?

It’s a good idea to remove headwear at a religious service unless a head covering is part of the practice, like at Jewish synagogues. It is generally considered acceptable for women to wear hats in Christian churches.

Hat rules and etiquette vary depending on what’s considered polite to those around you

In some homes, it can be considered rude to wear your hat at the dinner table. However, for many people, it isn’t anything to take note of and you can comfortably wear your favorite baseball cap without a worry.

You likely should remove a hat at funeral processions, while you can safely leave it on at casual outdoor weddings. It’s nearly impossible to say what proper etiquette is, as different social groups and families have likely developed their own considerations of what’s proper and what’s not.

So, when it comes to hat rules and regulations, don’t overthink it. You have nothing to worry about! In 2024, no one will judge you or draw offense to your wearing a trend-setting dad hat or a winter-weather beanie in the middle of January.

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The Plumeria Dad Hat from Double Portion Supply

Final thoughts

Hat etiquette is one of those things that can be hard to define. There’s no wrong way to wear a hat, and you won’t face any repercussions if you wear a hat too much. It’s better to wear a hat than to not, as a hat is both practical and tasteful, helping you protect your head while making a statement about your individual style!

With a custom cap from Double Portion Supply, you can finally showcase your unique edge. And if you’re looking for hats in bulk, we’ve got you covered – we offer amazing discounts when you buy wholesale hats from our Hawaii-based brand.

Keep Reading: 4 Ways To Repurpose Your Used Or Old Hats

Double Portion Supply is the largest snapback superstore in Hawaii. Since 2001, we’ve helped clients across the United States make their creative vision a reality. From wholesale hats to ANXD brand apparel, we carry everything you need to keep your own brand stocked. Plus, our custom services extend to T-shirt printing, so you stay fresh from head to toe. Get all the latest information by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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