The hat you choose to wear reveals a lot about you. Headwear is not only functional, but a fashionable accessory that characterizes you. It also tells everyone your persona by the type or brand of the hat on your head.

from The Adair Group

Men should always remove their hats, including baseball caps and casual hats, upon entering a building.Hats should not be worn when inside, with an exception to areas related to public streets, such as corridors, lobbies, and elevators in public buildings. In public buildings, an elevator is deemed a public area, so the hat may be left on the head.

Men must remove their hats during the playing of the National Anthem, during the passing of the American flag, and for funeral processions, outdoor weddings, dedications, and photographs. Removed hats are clutched with the hands in a way so that only the outside of the hats are visible.

Hat tipping is a traditional gesture of politeness, having the same source as a military salute, which originated from the raising of medieval knights’ face visors to indicate friendliness.

from The Adair Group

Women do not need to remove their hats when indoors, as often as men, with the exception of rain hats. Dress hats rarely need removal. This rule of protocol grew out of the function of women’s hats as ensemble-specific accessories. While men may have many hats to partner with a variety of outfits, women may partner only one hat to an individual outfit. Similarly, women’s hats worn specifically for warmth are to be removed when indoors.

Women may leave hats on during the playing of The National Anthem when indoors, unless the hat is unisex, such as a baseball cap. When wearing such a cap or hat, a woman must adhere to the same guidelines as for men.

from The Adair Group