On a slightly different note, until John Kennedy decided to go  
hatless, it was a very strong custom in this country for men to wear  
hats when they went outside. It was very uncool to show your bare head  
in public.

There was even a country saying, "I'm gonna get my hat!" This meant  
that the person speaking was going to leave, or even quit his job.

On Jul 12, 2008, at 9:52 PM, Andy Barss wrote:

> On Sat, 12 Jul 2008 Sgt42RHR@a... wrote:
>
>> Actually the wearing of coats by labourers  depends on the  
>> century.  In the 1
>> 8th century--even late 18th  century-- men, of almost all stations  
>> of life,
>> would have been in a state  of undress unless they were wearing  
>> their coats.
>> Almost all period  images of 18th century workers...with the  
>> possible exception
>> of farm  hands, are shown wearing breeches (short pants), shirt,  
>> waistcoat,
>> and  coat.  Even the most cursory glance of PA and VA Gazette "Had  
>> On & Took
>> With Them" runaway advertisements reveals that even indentured  
>> servant laborers
>> were last seen in their coats.
>
> Wouldn't they have been hot as hell in the warmer months?

The Oldmillrat in Riverside CA

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