When should women remove their hats?
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EmailPart 2 of this hat etiquette series discusses when women should remove their hats and when they can keep them on.
Women have worn hats for many years; however, the type of hats women are wearing have changed. Women have traditionally worn fashion hats, or hats thought of as “women’s hats.” These hats include ribbons, bows, feathers, flowers or other ornamentation, and come in delicate colors and materials. Fashion hats also include the small hats worn on the front of the head, also known as fascinators. Today, more women are wearing baseball-style caps and hats.
When a woman wears a fashion hat, different rules apply then when a women wears a baseball-style cap.
Women’s fashion hats (not baseball-style caps) can be left on:
- In someone’s home
- At luncheons, weddings, garden parties
- At religious services
- At a movie or any indoor performance
- When the National Anthem is played
- When the flag of the United States passes by, as in a parade
Women should take their fashion hat off:
- Anytime it blocks someone’s view, such as at a wedding or in a theater
- Indoors at work
Women should remove baseball-style caps:
- In someone’s home
- At mealtimes, at the table
- While being introduced
- In a house of worship, unless a hat or head covering is required
- Indoors at work, unless required for the job
- In public buildings such as a school, library, courthouse or town hall
- In restaurants
- At any indoor performance
- When the National Anthem is played
- When the flag of the United States passes by, as in a parade
Cancer patients are exempt from hat rules. They may keep their hats or caps on at all times if they wish.
For information on when men should remove their hats or keep them on, see “When should men remove their hats?”
Michigan State University Extension provides many helpful resources for business behavior, including:
- Business handshake and professional pitch
- Good Manners—Etiquette (covering greetings, conversation, online interactions, table manners and interviews that include a meal)
- Job interview etiquette
- What is business etiquette?
Activities on a variety of these topics can also be found in “Build Your Future: Choices…Connections…Careers” curriculum and the “Youth Business Guide to Success” curriculum.
Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development help to prepare young people for successful futures. As a result of career exploration and workforce preparation activities, thousands of Michigan youth are better equipped to make important decisions about their professional future, ready to contribute to the workforce and able to take fiscal responsibility in their personal lives.
To learn about the positive impact of Michigan 4-H youth career preparation, money management and entrepreneurship programs, read the Impact Report: “Preparing Michigan Youth for Future Careers and Employment.”
