Ain't got no money in my pockets but a top hat on my head

[Mario]

A few days ago, I came across a feature in the Spiegel magazine on the similarities between the Great Depression and certain recent developments in world economics. There were a few striking images that really got me. Thousands of people on the streets looking for work. No money for food - but all well equipped with a proper hat. I know - this was the time when everybody wore hats, yet still...

Hats galore in 1933:

And more (note that there are actually two guys without a hat):

More caps here:

Here is another one.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

LOVE the old photos - thanks!

The two guys must've lost bets. You know; ".... I'll eat my hat."

 

[Marc Chevalier]

They look cold.

.

 

[JJWord]

Pictures like this make me wonder if some people equate the look of hats to harder times.

 

[Mario]

".... I'll eat my hat."

Maybe that's just what they did, given the lack of food they probably had to endure...

Pictures like this make me wonder if some people equate the look of hats to harder times.

I bet. Some lounger here wrote about an encounter he once had with an elderly lady. He had his Fedora on (of course) when she caught sight of him - and then gave him some kind of bewildered, puzzled look. Maybe the sight of someone with a Fedora conjured up images of long gone days, maybe even of times when living was much harder for everyone. Who knows.

But yes, I do love those old photos, too.

 

["Skeet" McD]

"It pays to dress well" Literally.

A few days ago, I came across a feature in the Spiegel magazine on the similarities between the Great Depression and certain recent developments in world economics....Thousands of people on the streets looking for work. No money for food - but all well equipped with a proper hat. I know - this was the time when everybody wore hats, yet still...

For one thing: these men already OWNED their hats; the problem with the Depression was monetary stagnation...nobody was buying. Even if they had wanted to sell their hats for food (or whatever)--you still need to find someone who wants to buy them.

But I think a more important issue is your comment that it was a time when everybody wore hats. This is true...and has some serious implications.

Once upon a time, you were expected to look presentable on the job, and people took this VERY seriously. There is documentation via Henry Mayhew (London in the 1840s) of a high-end clerk in a large business who during the course of a lengthy illness had to sell all of his belongings. Last to go was his good suit. Without the suit, he could not even apply for work and was reduced to selling matches on the street (this ISN'T Dickens...this is the REAL world Dickens art-ified). So he remained for several years until a previous business colleague recognized him, bought him a suit as an act of charity...and he was able to return to the "real" world. If anyone has seen the 1932 film THE WILD BOYS OF THE ROAD, they may remember one of the main characters finally being offered a job--not as a high-class clerk, but as an elevator operator--IF he had a suit.

And that, I think, is why these men are "so well dressed for people starving." They know that their best hope of changing that is to be dressed decently.

Just one man's opinion, as always
"Skeet"

 

[avedwards]

[QUOTE="Skeet" McD]Once upon a time, you were expected to look presentable on the job, and people took this VERY seriously. There is documentation via Henry Mayhew (London in the 1840s) of a high-end clerk in a large business who during the course of a lengthy illness had to sell all of his belongings. Last to go was his good suit. Without the suit, he could not even apply for work and was reduced to selling matches on the street (this ISN'T Dickens...this is the REAL world Dickens art-ified). So he remained for several years until a previous business colleague recognized him, bought him a suit as an act of charity...and he was able to return to the "real" world. If anyone has seen the 1932 film THE WILD BOYS OF THE ROAD, they may remember one of the main characters finally being offered a job--not as a high-class clerk, but as an elevator operator--IF he had a suit.[/QUOTE]
In the 1951 film "The Enforcer" this even seems to apply to hired killers. When a new member is introduced to the profession he is told about the job and when he leaves his boss says to him "burn that pint (indicating to his cheap quality suit) and get yourself a suit".

 

[Charlie Noodles]

"All assassins had a full-length mirror in their rooms, because it would be a terrible insult to anyone to kill them when you were badly dressed." (Pyramids) - Terry Pratchett.

 

[Mario]

Oh my...just a few nights ago, I went to bed, turned on the telly - and plunged straight into a 1-hour or so documentary on Elliot Ness, The Untouchables and Al Capone - with lots of original footage! I suddenly found myself drooling, revelling in vintage, live-action footage that came with hundreds and thousands of great hats! You know what? It nearly made me cry...

Ah well, in the end, I had a real good sleep filled with beautiful dreams of...well, yes, you guessed just right.

Now that's what I call a bedtime candy!