Hat Trick: A Social Experiment with the MAGA Hat in St. Louis, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Dallas
By Dawn Sturmon
Have you ever wondered how a single item of clothing could alter how people perceive and treat you? I conducted a sartorial social experiment to explore just that. With a bold MAGA hat atop my head, I ventured into everyday places in St. Louis, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Dallas, documenting the reactions. Spoiler alert: most were pleasantly surprising.
The Setup
Picture this: a typical grocery store aisle, the hum of fluorescent lights overhead, and the faint smell of produce. Enter me, donning the iconic red MAGA hat. In each city, I wondered if people would focus on the hat’s politics or the person wearing it. The results showed more curiosity and pride than I expected.
The St. Louis Scoop
In St. Louis, nods of approval far outnumbered side-eyes. At a coffee shop in Richmond Heights, an elderly man smiled warmly and said, “Nice hat, young lady!”— a perfect affirmation of Midwest charm. While a couple of onlookers in a Central West End grocery store seemed less enthused, the overall vibe was one of thumbs up and supportive glances.
The LA Experiment
In Los Angeles, the reactions were diverse but mostly positive. A group of moms dressed like they just finished pilates class spotted me at a trendy Culver City grocery store (you know, the one with fancy $$ smoothies) and enthusiastically exclaimed, “We love your hat!” There were a few passive-aggressive stares as I strolled around that day, but overall, my confidence in wearing the hat was admired.
The NYC Edition
In New York City, known for its fast pace and mix of opinions, I was expecting more resistance. Surprisingly, I encountered a lot of admiration. One man standing outside a bagel shop in the Lower East Side grinned, gave me a thumbs up, and said, “Only in New York,” while a woman in a small West Village grocer approached me and whispered, “You’re brave to wear that! You may have inspired me to wear mine.” It was a powerful moment, revealing that even in the country’s most diverse city, boldness often wins respect.
The Chicago Chronicles
Chicago, too, gave me a warm reception. At a coffee shop in Lincoln Park, a man in a Cubs hat gave me an approving smile and said, "Great hat!" His support felt like a hug from the city itself. At Midway Airport, I was met with a couple of judgmental glances, but Chicagoans largely impressed me with their friendliness and pride in seeing someone so confident in their beliefs.
The Dallas Diaries
Dallas, the land of Southern charm, didn’t disappoint. In a Knox Henderson grocery store, an older woman, beaming, said, “I love your hat!” while a young man working TSA at Dallas Love Airport winked and said, “Nice hat.” It was clear that in Dallas, confidence— and the MAGA hat— were appreciated.
Conclusion
There you have it— a glimpse into how a MAGA hat can spark diverse reactions in five very different American cities. It highlights the power of fashion, the role of context, and the unpredictable nature of human interaction.
The MAGA hat, like any bold statement piece, invites attention, but more often than not, those reactions were positive and respectful. In St. Louis, it evoked nostalgia; in Los Angeles, it sparked conversations; in New York City, it symbolized boldness; in Chicago, it reflected confidence; and in Dallas, it stood as a mark of strength.
Fashion, in all its forms, holds the power to inspire and provoke. No matter your stance on its politics, the MAGA hat became a vehicle for self-expression in this experiment— one that generated more pride and admiration than conflict. And ultimately, isn’t that what fashion is all about?
A freelance writer, Dawn has crisscrossed the country in a unique path— from holding cue cards on Saturday Night Live to working on Super Bowl commercials. A lover of truth, interior design, french fries, and fashion, you can find her dressed in a hoodie or for the Met Gala— there’s no in-between.
