A Moral Panic Over Headwear Fashion
In the 19th century, straw hats became a fashionable accessory for American men, particularly during the summer months. However, an unwritten rule emerged dictating that straw hats should only be worn until September 15th, known as “Felt Hat Day.” After this date, it was considered taboo to wear a straw hat, and those who did risked having their hats snatched off and destroyed by strangers. Initially, this tradition was seen as harmless fun, but it soon escalated into widespread crime and violence.
The end of straw hat season often sparked riots, with mobs targeting individuals wearing straw hats past the cutoff date. Some straw hat wearers resisted, leading to violent confrontations and even instances of individuals pulling guns to protect their headgear. One notable incident occurred in Pittsburgh in 1910, where Felt Hat Day demonstrations turned violent, resulting in injuries and near-bloodshed. Although initially dismissed as “youthful exuberance” by some newspapers, the growing scale of the riots prompted public and media scrutiny, leading to calls for an end to the destructive tradition. The trend did finally end with the Great Depression.