Hats and Caps

When did men stop wearing hats ? I don't mean ball caps I mean Fedoras and the like ? My father and almost every man I knew growing up wore a hat. Then somewhere, at sometime , ball caps took over.
Seems to me it was at about the same time men stopped tipping their hats to the ladies. Do that particular act of  courtesy now and you will get some strange looks. To do so in today's world seems almost trite.
I'm thinking as more and more men had jobs that were inside, hats became less popular. Also had something to do with getting haircuts I suppose. I always felt a man needs a good hat. Keep the sweat out of your eyes, along with your hair.
A hat used to worn with a suit. Don't see that much anymore. Only the Hollywood crowd and a few people making fashion statements do that anymore. Too old fashioned I guess. Cowboys however have never stopped wearing their hats ! Their hat is part of their identity. Cowboys can be mighty touchy about their hats too ! A hat can say a lot about a man. The style chosen being most important. You don't want to look foolish but yet you do want to look cool. It's a difficult balancing act to pull off. Some can do it and others not. Maybe that is why ball caps became so popular. They are pretty much all the same. Only the quality and advertisement on them differ. Funny thing, my Dad wore a hat his entire life but I never saw him wear a ball cap ! To the best of my knowledge he never owned one. I can remember several hats he did have but not a single ball cap. I don't think he liked a large brim.
I wear a ball cap of some kind most of the time. Rarely do I wear anything different. Rarer still will you see me without a hat on. I would like to wear something other than a ball cap but can't decide upon a style. Fedoras are nice but don't seem right for everyday wear. I like those Greek fisherman's hats but I'm not Greek or a fisherman. I just look silly in a cowboy hat. Have been considering one of those floppy hats.
Maybe in a bright pattern of some kind. It's a dilemma alright.
I've seen it in the movies and a few times on Main Street. A man just reaching up and touching the brim of his hat. "Ma'am." How civilized is that ? In today's world the lady would become immediately suspicious of you. And whatever you do don't make eye contact. Ah the good old days. A good hat and civilized behaviour. They go hand in hand. Caps don't have the same effect. But then you have a Dunce hat but a thinking cap .
I'm going to have to rethink this whole hat issue.