How did I become the person who advocates wearing hats in this thread? All I was doing was trying to point out what the Mishnah B’rurah actually says because so many people misunderstand/are misinformed about it. I clearly pointed out that it’s societal. If you are in a society that requires wearing a hat, it is a lack of Kavod Hatfila to not wear a hat to Daven. Everywhere else it’s fine to not wear a hat. I wore a hat when I spent Shabboses in Me’ah She’arim. The rest of the time I usually don’t.
I once knew a boy who was being Chozer Bitshuvah. He found out that his family roots are in Chassidism. So he began walking a mile to Shul in a Bekeshe every Shabbos. Two Lakewook guys once visited the community and told him that maybe he shouldn’t wear it because it makes him stand out too much. They had a point. There is a concept of not dressing in a way that makes you stand out. Then again, in this small, out-of-town Shul, the two guests from Lakewood were the only others (other than the Chassidish kid) wearing hats.