TOKYO —

As the nation languishes in sweltering summer heat, a rather unusual consumer item is selling briskly—men’s hats, according to store officials and market watchers. While many Japanese men often go hatless on outings on hot summer days, holidaymakers are now being compelled to travel on foot or use public transit rather than drive because of sky-high gasoline prices. This has prompted more men to don headgear. Consumers are skimping as product prices in general are rising due to higher materials costs, while personal income is hardly growing. But items used to save money seem to be in much demand.

Sales of men’s hats at Seibu Department Stores Ltd.’s flagship store in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, more than doubled in July from a year earlier, with not only seniors but also men in their 30s and 40s buying them, Seibu officials say. Buyers include salesmen who make their rounds by bicycle and those who are now riding trains and buses as they minimize use of their cars. ‘‘Men buying hats have become an indicator of how consumers are tightening their belts,’’ says Sakae Kumagai, a sales promotion official at the store. Collapsible hats, which users can take out of their bags when necessary, are selling well, according to the Seibu officials. Foldable Panama hats are in strong demand at Toraya, a venerable hat retailer in Tokyo’s posh Ginza district, a salesperson says. ‘‘Even first-time users feel quite comfortable with them.’’ ‘‘Hats have become a necessity in summer for today’s middle-aged and older men as many of whom are quite fashion-conscious and often go out with their wives,’’ says Mitsuhiro Yokoyama, a senior official of the Tokyo Hat Club, an industry body.

Kyodo

Latest 15 of 20 Total Comments Show All

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  DalekCaan at 01:48 PM JST - 14th August

  Actually a milliner makes and sells womens hats.

  Whereas Haberdasher in British english means 'a dealer in dressmaking and sewing goods' in American usage it means 'a dealer in men's clothing and accessories' which includes, amongst other things hats.

  So I guess the translator over at Kyodo was using a J-E dictionary based on Webster and not the OED.

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  ExPrinceska at 02:24 PM JST - 14th August

  hat is a great accessory for hiding hair loss among men over 30!

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  Sarge at 02:33 PM JST - 14th August

  I never go outside without my baseball cap.

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  Sarge at 02:35 PM JST - 14th August

  Princess - Men don't wear hats to cover hair loss. After all, bald is beautiful!

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  LIBERTAS at 03:13 PM JST - 14th August

  Hats make sense if the brim covers most of the face. It's these upturned flowerpot-shaped things I see women wearing, with what little brim they have turned up in front to allow full sunshine on their faces that puzzle me. Why bother? As bad as those dark plastic shades the bike-riding obatarian demons wear covering their whole face. I checked at the department store, nigh on impossible to see clearly through, and yet they do full speed on the sidewalks. Beats me.

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  nutsagain at 03:57 PM JST - 14th August

  But the one that beats the lot is the bloke in the singlet, towel over the head and the one half of it held in the mouth. Sandals, training pants rolled up and with an attitude.

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  dontpanic at 07:37 PM JST - 14th August

  For headgear in summer I personally favour the knotted handkerchief. Its lightweight, adjustable and so handy for when you get those aircon sniffles.

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  ExPrinceska at 07:58 PM JST - 14th August

  Princess - Men don't wear hats to cover hair loss. After all, bald is beautiful!

  Yes, I like bald people but men have a complex when they start losing their hair, so it is funny how they try to hide it. Men shall understand that if they are over 30, they cannot have the hair they had at 15 and men shall accept it and wear their baldness with dignity and confidence. Bald men are handsome!

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  ExPrinceska at 08:00 PM JST - 14th August

  forgot to say, that if you are losing your hair, you shall not wear a hat. The hat warms the head and hair additionally, your head sweats more and you lose more hair. That is why men whose profession requires wearing hats constantly are bald.

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  dontpanic at 08:12 PM JST - 14th August

  "if you are losing your hair, you shall not wear a hat"

  Should just point out that sweat does not cause hair loss, heredity does. If you are balding the skin on your head can be very sensitive and burn easily. If it's sunny, cover up with sunblock or a hat (or a stylish handkerchief).

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  Sarge at 08:20 PM JST - 14th August

  If you're a male stripper in England, you can leave your hat on. Tee hee!

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  ExPrinceska at 08:21 PM JST - 14th August

  if you constantly suffocate the skin on your head and do not air the hair, you will lose it. so do not wear hats very often. Yes balding is hereditary and also it is related to male hormones.

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  dontpanic at 08:47 PM JST - 14th August

  "Yes balding is hereditary and also it is related to male hormones"

  Yes, as does illness, stress, chemotherapy and razors but a sweaty head does not. The effects of sweat are easily sorted with a little shampoo and some water.
  Theres no hard evidence to suggest hat wearing causes any damage to anything other than pride should said headgear be inappropriate to the occasion. Let the shops sell their hats and let the men, bald or otherwise, choose to wear them if they want to.

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  Wottock_Hunt at 11:24 PM JST - 14th August

  Foldable Panama hats are in strong demand at Toraya, a venerable hat retailer in Tokyo’s posh Ginza district

  You shouldn't fold a Panama. It knackers the toquilla.

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  Sarge at 11:32 PM JST - 14th August

  "Toraya, a venerable hat retailer in Tokyo's posh Ginza district"

  How about Don Quihote, a venerable hat retailer in Tokyo's seedy Roppongi district?

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