Work Uniforms: Once Upon a Time

Growing up in the '60s and '70s, I remember that men wore hats and ties, daily if they worked in an office, or in sales, and of course to church on Sundays. I can still see the cloak room in the back of our church, with overcoats on hangers, and hats stacked on the shelf over the coats.

I wonder now about those hats. What kind of bird provided the feather? How did people keep them clean? And with all the men using Brylcreem (A Little Dab'll Do Ya!) how did the hats not end up slimy?

Where did they all go?