To Sam Klein, who asks: “Why do they charge so much for these black hats?” The answer is, because they can. The trickier question is, Why do people of modest means pay so much for these black hats?
An interesting question is the history of the black hat over the last 100 years. Look at wedding photos from 50 years ago and you will see much smaller hats. Evidently, fashion infects even pious Halachic from clothing. Would anyone draw criticism for wearing a black hat of the prevailing size 50 years ago? Not where I daven, but maybe where my adult children daven.
And if fashion can affect frum clothing, why can’t comfort or common sense? I am the only davener who wears a white hat in the summer months.