What to do With Your Hat When You're Dining Indoors

Because sometimes, you have to take it off.

What to do With Your Hat When You're Dining Indoors - Goorin Bros.

Being a regular hat wearer can present some minor problems that really make you aware that you’ve decided to live a hat life that the masses are just too timid to join. One of these is the often-asked question of what to do with your hat when you’re in a restaurant?   

Back in the day they uses to have hat check- yes literally a coat check for hats. And if they didn’t have a hat check, then they at least had hat hangers next to or near your table. Now you’re lucky to even find a proper coat rack at most dining spots. But never fear- having worn fedoras for several years I’ve learned these lessons so you don’t have to!

First, the question of whether to keep your hat on or off has become a personal one. It you want to be completely traditional, then yes, inside a home, inside a restaurant, inside church, these kinds of places- you should always take off your hat. But I know plenty of hat wearers that are keeping their crown on inside no matter what, especially in a restaurant. I’m not here to judge at all, and if we’re gonna start policing traditional sartorial rules, then please, can we all agree to start with banning open toe sandals before we go anywhere near indoor hats?   

 

But lets say you’re trying to be a bit more traditional and you want to take it off inside the restaurant. My rule of thumb has always been this: Standing at a bar or café- I keep it on. Sitting at a table, I take it off.  If I’m waiting near the bar for my table to open up and be seated, I keep my hat on. When I’m walking to my table, I keep it on (I like to make an entrance). When I arrive at my table, off it goes. This is how I do it- you do you.  

As for where to put it?  Well, if you can, snag a booth! There's plenty of room in those seats for your hat and coat next to you and out of the way.   If you get one of those booths with a ‘shelf’ behind you, you can put it up there. I’ve stashed mine there during a meal, just make sure you don’t forget about it before you leave after dinner- one too many drinks and you may not realize you're hatless until after closing time. 

 

But lets say you’re not at a booth, just a four sided table with two chairs and that’s it. Now what? Well, I have two moves that I can share with you. The first is the knee trick. Your hat can rest comfortably on your knee  out of the way and under the table (and safely away from your wine glass- no one wants a stain!).  This is a my most used move and frankly is easier than you think with most hats. 

My other move (and the one I usually use when I fly with a fedora) is to put the hat crown side down (upside down), under my chair. It’s out of the way, and the crown side is the same that’s exposed to the elements, so I’m not too worried about it in that position. 

The main thing to remember whenever you take off your hat for s stretch- don’t forget about it! And this one goes for everywhere- don’t forget it on the plane, don’t forget it in a cab, don’t forget it at your girlfriend’s house, and don’t forget it at the restaurant. If it's your hat and as much a part of you as your lucky coin, make sure it's with you so you don't have a lamentable lost-hat story later. Leave looking as good as your arrived!

MORE STORIES from the blog

Get Out with Goorin: New Mexico, USA

Bring Your Goorin With You

What Does 'Living a Life of Leisure' Mean To You?

We asked our Goorin employees for their fresh takes

Sneaker Feature

with Tony G 

From The Design Team: Life Of Leisure

presents the SKINNY DIPPIN 2 Capsule

Farm Fit of the Day Roundup IV

Our fav Farm Truckers styled by YOU

Fedoras on You III

#itsagoorin

Farm Fit of the Day Roundup III

Our fav Farm Truckers styled by YOU

Inside the Crown: June Episode: Who Wants To Be A Milliner?

 A new corner of the Goorin-Verse with your hosts, Sarah and Alex!

Elevated Casual: Blurring the Lines in Fashion

sneakers and .... wide brim fedoras?!

Fedoras on You II

#itsagoorin

The Farm Presents: Mesh Capsule

available on 6.19.22

Fashion Focus: Mesh

a history of mesh in the fashion world

Dads' Got Style

Dads can be cool too

Fedoras on You

#itsagoorin

Inside the Crown: with @mrnycsubway

Our stylist team does a deep dive on a new corner of the Goorin-Verse

SS22 Spotify Playlist

We're back with more spring and summer inspired tunes for your every day

#HatWallWednesday Vol.16

an interview series with our Goorin collectors

Summer Nights: Escape the Escape

Escape from Everything. Escape the Escape.  The latest capsule from Goorin Bros. Avoid the average.

#HatWallWednesday Vol.15

an interview series with our Goorin collectors

Live a Life of Leisure with Straw

Fresh new arrivals just in time for the season

Inside the Crown: SS22 Preview & Favorites

Our stylist team does a deep dive on a new corner of the Goorin-Verse

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.14

an interview series with our Goorin collectors

Why We Love: El Arpa

A Goorin Bros. X Hampui collaboration

Refreshing Straws for Spring

for longer days and lighter hats

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.13

an interview series with our Goorin collectors

The Farm presents: Updog Capsule

A collection dedicated to man's best friend. Did your breed make the cut?

Inside The Crown: Block No.25 Episode

Our stylist team does a deep dive on a new corner of the Goorin-Verse

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.12

Since we interact with so many hat-lovers on our social media channels, Nicky (our social media and community...

Farm Truckers: Seasonal Colors

Explore our latest seasonal color releases of your favorite truckers

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.11

an interview series with Goorin collectors

Mr. Gilly x Goorin Bros.

Introducing a collaboration project for the BOLD: "Do It With Style"

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.10

an interview series with Goorin collectors

SXSW - from our SoCo store

LIVE MUSIC at our Austin shop on South Congress

What We're Rocking to SXSW

what hats we're wearing, and what tunes we're listening to

#BVFW Recap

Bovtiqve Fashion Week Vol. IV in Las Vegas February 2022

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.9

an interview series with Goorin collectors

International Women's Day 2022

celebrating the contributions of women today and every day

La Maceta: An El Sol Edition

available 03.06.22

Off The Wall: What To Do When Visiting a Hat Shop

Alex, of our virtual Styling team, is back with advice about how to approach your first hat shop visit

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.8

an interview series with Goorin collectors

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.7

an interview series with Goorin collectors

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.6

an interview series with Goorin collectors

Hats in Love

Hat-lovers unite this Valentine's Day

Inside The Crown: Farm Lifestyle Products

Our stylist team hosts FARM designer !Michael

Black Fashion Icons

legends of style

{"statementLink":"","footerHtml":"","hideMobile":false,"hideTrigger":false,"disableBgProcess":false,"language":"en","position":"left","leadColor":"#146ff8","triggerColor":"#146ff8","triggerRadius":"50%","triggerPositionX":"right","triggerPositionY":"bottom","triggerIcon":"people","triggerSize":"medium","triggerOffsetX":20,"triggerOffsetY":20,"mobile":{"triggerSize":"small","triggerPositionX":"right","triggerPositionY":"bottom","triggerOffsetX":10,"triggerOffsetY":10,"triggerRadius":"50%"}}