In high school, hats are banned indiscriminately and you probably argued with your fair share of teachers over wearing them. Do the same rules apply in college or can you wear your hat to class?
Here is all that you need to know about this matter:
Are Hats Allowed in College?
Most colleges allow students to wear hats both on the premises as well as in classrooms but the rules can vary from one institution to another – professors can also have a say in whether or not hats are permitted in the classroom.
Do All Colleges Let Your Wear Hats?
No, all colleges may not let you wear hats.
This largely depends on whether your school has a dress code or not. For the most part, colleges tend to have a more lenient dress code or may not even have one at all.
Private universities or Ivy League schools, however, take presentations more seriously. As such, you may be expected to dress in a more professional manner.
Keep in mind that just because these rules aren’t explicitly written down doesn’t mean that they don’t apply to you. You may need to follow these unspoken dress codes if you wish to fit in with your peers and stay on the good side of your professors and administrators.
You should also be aware that some schools ban hats for security reasons. If you are wearing a hat, it is more difficult for security cameras to capture your face.
Are All Kinds of Hats Allowed?
You may want to think about the type of hat that you are wearing. Most schools may allow beanies or similar winter hats as they are designed to keep you warm. As such, they are considered functional.
The rules on baseball caps aren’t as straightforward, though. Some schools are fine with it while others may feel that it is a little too casual.
If you are donning something quite unusual like a fedora or a sun hat, it is unlikely that you will get into trouble as it certainly can’t be considered too informal. If your hat is blocking other people’s views or your own, though, you may be asked to remove it.
You should also be mindful of any writing or logos on your hat. If it is explicit or uncouth, then you will almost certainly be asked to remove it.
On the other hand, if it is a rival school or a sports team from another state, it simply may be in bad taste to wear it. You are sure to get plenty of dirty looks if you do.
How Do You Know If Hats are Allowed Or Not?
The best way to know for sure is to check your school’s handbook on dress codes. If there isn’t anything explicitly mentioned, then chances are that hats aren’t against the rules.
If you want to be certain that you won’t get into trouble, you can email your college administrators directly. They will be able to outline the dress code for you in greater detail.
You can also take a look at the other students around. If you notice a lot of them wearing hats then it shouldn’t be a problem for you to do so as well.
Check to see if these students take their hats off when they go inside or enter a classroom. If they do, then it is best for you to mimic this behavior. After all, you don’t want to be the only one with a hat on.
If you are told not to wear a hat by a professor or any member of the administration then heed this warning. You may get more than a verbal scolding the next time around.
Can You Wear Hats in Your College Classes?
If the dress code doesn’t explicitly tell you not to wear a hat, then you should be able to wear a hat inside your classroom as well.
That being said, you do have to take your professor into consideration here. Older professors, in particular, may have old-school views. One of these could be that it is impolite for you to wear hats indoors.
In this case, they will feel disrespected if they see you wearing a hat to their class. Most professors would ask you to remove your headwear if they felt this way.
Make sure to comply with these instructions immediately.
One way to know if your professor is fine with you wearing hats is to consider the other students in the class. If they are wearing one, you should be safe. If not, err on the side of caution as you don’t want to stand out.
Should You Wear Hats in Your College Class?
Needless to say, this is a personal decision and, as such, must be decided by you.
If you would like to stay on the safe side, though, it is best to skip the hat while you are in class. Not wearing a hat is still considered a mark of respect for your professors.
And, even if your professor doesn’t have strong opinions against hats, they would surely appreciate you not wearing one in their classroom.
In general, though, consider the geography of the school as well as the professor of your class. If your school is in a more rural, religious, or traditional part of the country, then hats are less likely to be appreciated.
Similarly, if your professor is older or more traditional, they may frown upon it.
Another thing to consider is the class that you are taking. If it deals with business, professionalism, or you want to make a good impression, it is best to skip the hat.
On the other hand, if it is a casual class and atmosphere, then the people around you may not care that you are wearing headwear.
Are You Allowed to Wear Hats in College?
You are typically allowed to wear hats in most colleges as long as they don’t have a dress code – the rules can change from one school to another – you should also know that some professors may not allow them in their classes specifically.
