Hi Sam2,
As always, I respect your opinion.
But to me, a black hat is just one of the symbols representative of entering the portal of Torah Judaism. While the hat, like a kippa, holds no kedusha on it’s own, it is, nontheless, indicative of a symbol of Jewishness on a Torah level and dignifies a Torah environment.
It would ring dissonant to me to see the the same attire, including a black hat as part of the conservative, reform, and reconstruction environments.
That is just my reaction. For the record, I know some who wear a black hat who are new and very weak in their learning and ability to daven. I do not look down upon them at all.
In a way, it’s like when I was starting out and called up for an aliyah. I really questioned my worthiness to be called up. Maybe I am wrong for that.
But the main point is that blackhatwannabe be should wear his new black hat with great enjoyment, and enjoy the best Shabbos! Someday soon, iy”H, I would like to do the same.