Shtreimlech1: I don’t think the Czars had anything to do with it. For starters, a good many Yidden did not live in territory directly rules by Russia. For example, the Hungarian cavalry (part of the Hapsburg army) were still wearing shtreimels at the start of World War I, and furs hats remained popular in Russia (to this very day). Long coats remained popular in Europe until after World War I (all the world leaders were wearing kapotes at the post-war peace conference). Since one still found many non-Hasidic Yidden with shreimels after World War I, it is more likely related to reason many westerners gave up wearing fur hats (cars and trains are heated). While non-Hasidim are somewhat influenced by goyish fashions (e.g. switching to Homburgs and Fedoras as dress hats), most Hasidim couldn’t care bobkes about what the goyim’s fashion influencers do.
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