That "Anchor" represents home and love. You are so fortunate to have grown up with extended family all around and the cohesive bond that still exists among cousins is priceless. Love those hats...keep having fun. Your parents and grandparents would be proud.
Great story as always. My people called three-deckers "Irish Battleships." The point is, we all walk the same mile through life. I must say that, as good as the story was, the picture of 'Young Dad' is priceless. He needed to be in a movie with Edward G. Robinson back in the day. He was born for the big screen!
Hi Ed! Yes, it’s amazing how fedoras vanished after being so common!
Sportswear, including baseball caps, transitioned from being worn only for sports to being gradually more acceptable in public, replacing more traditional hat styles in the late 1950’s.
Men even began wearing Bermuda shorts and no hats. And patterned shorts made with cloth from India became stylish for summer wear.
Popular men's shorts from India in the 1960s were dominated by Indian Madras plaid cotton shorts, which became an international fashion staple for men, particularly in the US Ivy League and resort scene.
These were characterized by vibrant, handwoven checkered or plaid patterns. Key styles included Bermuda shorts, patchwork plaid, and high-waisted tailored designs
So the combination of clothing after 1961 becoming more casual, and traditional hat wearing declining and sportswear becoming increasingly acceptable and “preppy” to wear in public by young men after the mid-20th century. Fedoras no longer fit in!
Why baseball caps stuck around to became the style of hat that stuck around after most other forms of hats fell out of fashion is unclear. Joe DiMaggio would never wear a baseball hat off the field and was famous for his style in tailored suits and fedoras!
I remember my uncle Attulio Taito and his bocce companions playing in white button down shirts and suspenders with a fedora of some sort, as a topper. Ahh the coveted Borsalino. “Qualità strae ordinario” written on the liner. Downcity was a sea of hats back then. Even a gentlemen’s hat shop where you could take them and get them boxed ( put back in shape) as a service at Barney’s Hats… Downcity of course.
Thanks for your 'ode to hats.' It was the epitome of fashion that characterized the person before he or she ever spoke a word. I still have my dad's favorite hat in my closet, the "Carlin" from Knox in New York...and the original hat box to keep it safe. You've given me something to think about as to why I kept it with me after my dad passed over fifty years ago. Thanks to TCM, we have the opportunity to see old movies when hats reigned supreme.
Never wore hats in my life, maybe rarely a baseball cap, until I moved to Colorado. Now I wear a hat, mostly a western style, all the time. I suppose a change in venue can have subtle effects you never expected.
Thanks for this Ed,…might share it with some of the boys at school as they are the ‘new’ generation living in the 3 deckers that our parents and grandparents lived in,..:).
That "Anchor" represents home and love. You are so fortunate to have grown up with extended family all around and the cohesive bond that still exists among cousins is priceless. Love those hats...keep having fun. Your parents and grandparents would be proud.
Yes indeed, Lora, I was, and I am, fortunate.
Thank you
Ed,
Great story as always. My people called three-deckers "Irish Battleships." The point is, we all walk the same mile through life. I must say that, as good as the story was, the picture of 'Young Dad' is priceless. He needed to be in a movie with Edward G. Robinson back in the day. He was born for the big screen!
Ned O'Donnell
Thanks, Ned. Dad was a proud dresser. You'd never know he was striving to survive in those days.
Hi Ed! Yes, it’s amazing how fedoras vanished after being so common!
Sportswear, including baseball caps, transitioned from being worn only for sports to being gradually more acceptable in public, replacing more traditional hat styles in the late 1950’s.
Men even began wearing Bermuda shorts and no hats. And patterned shorts made with cloth from India became stylish for summer wear.
Popular men's shorts from India in the 1960s were dominated by Indian Madras plaid cotton shorts, which became an international fashion staple for men, particularly in the US Ivy League and resort scene.
These were characterized by vibrant, handwoven checkered or plaid patterns. Key styles included Bermuda shorts, patchwork plaid, and high-waisted tailored designs
So the combination of clothing after 1961 becoming more casual, and traditional hat wearing declining and sportswear becoming increasingly acceptable and “preppy” to wear in public by young men after the mid-20th century. Fedoras no longer fit in!
Why baseball caps stuck around to became the style of hat that stuck around after most other forms of hats fell out of fashion is unclear. Joe DiMaggio would never wear a baseball hat off the field and was famous for his style in tailored suits and fedoras!
Jim, I'm kinda tired of baseball hats, particularly when worn in a restaurant.
Loved DiMaggio's gentlemanly style.
Did you forget the Madras sport jacket? We all had them in the 60s
Thanks for your nice note.
Great memories Dr. Eddy.
I remember my uncle Attulio Taito and his bocce companions playing in white button down shirts and suspenders with a fedora of some sort, as a topper. Ahh the coveted Borsalino. “Qualità strae ordinario” written on the liner. Downcity was a sea of hats back then. Even a gentlemen’s hat shop where you could take them and get them boxed ( put back in shape) as a service at Barney’s Hats… Downcity of course.
A simple display of pride and a bella figura.
Yes for all classes..character is timeless.
Hi Ed. I may be mistaken but if you’re referring to 30 Wealth Ave, Deb and I bought it from Mary, lived there a couple of years ago. Same one?
No, Mike. We grew up at #64.
I think a nice hat on a man is very becoming! I hate baseball caps unless it’s at a game, or picnic. As always, your articles always hit home!
Thanks, Cindy. Agree re baseball caps. Add golf.
Thanks for your 'ode to hats.' It was the epitome of fashion that characterized the person before he or she ever spoke a word. I still have my dad's favorite hat in my closet, the "Carlin" from Knox in New York...and the original hat box to keep it safe. You've given me something to think about as to why I kept it with me after my dad passed over fifty years ago. Thanks to TCM, we have the opportunity to see old movies when hats reigned supreme.
I KNOW this readership wants a photo of you with the 'Carlin'.. C'mon, C'mon. I'll bet you look like Adolph Menjou!
Never wore hats in my life, maybe rarely a baseball cap, until I moved to Colorado. Now I wear a hat, mostly a western style, all the time. I suppose a change in venue can have subtle effects you never expected.
I'll bet you look great and feel good
Thanks for this Ed,…might share it with some of the boys at school as they are the ‘new’ generation living in the 3 deckers that our parents and grandparents lived in,..:).
Yes, John, please do. Thank you
What a wonderful childhood you had!