A top hat is a tall, cylindrical hat that is typically worn by men. It has a wide brim and a soft crown. The top hat is most associated with nineteenth-century Europe and North America where it was popular for men to wear during the day. However, its origins can be traced back to as far as the sixteenth century.
Here are 11 facts about top hats:
1) Also known as a “stovepipe hat”, it is one of the most iconic forms of men’s headwear and has been associated with such figures as Chabot Crane from Washington Irving’s 1820 short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and the eponymous Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s 1865 book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
2) Before the advent of industrial factory machines, all top hats were made by hand using felted beaver fur and were very expensive for average consumers. This prompted Abraham Lincoln to remark: “If I had $10,000 [a then-vast sum] I’d buy every gentleman in the United States a top hat.”
3) While the top hat is now primarily seen as a formalwear accessory, it was once considered to be an everyday article of clothing.
4) In fact, when it was first introduced in the sixteenth century, the top hat was worn by both men and women and was seen as a practical and stylish alternative to the traditional conical headwear of the time.
5) The top hat’s tall cylindrical shape allows it to deflect wind and rain away from the wearer’s head and face.
6) It also has a padded lining on the inside that helps to keep the wearer’s head warm in colder weather.
7) Top hats are often decorated with a band or ribbon around the base and a feather or two attached to the side.
8) They are typically made from wool, cashmere, rabbit hair, or beaver fur.
9) Top hats are also often used as part of stage costumes or as props in plays and films.
10) A man’s top hat is usually sized to fit his head comfortably when it is “crown down” (that is, with the brim folded up).
11) The current world record for the largest top hat belongs to British artist John Calvert who created a hat that measures 8 feet 6 inches tall and 5 feet 10 inches wide.
Do you know your top hats from yours? If not, read on for eleven facts about this classic men’s headwear.
What is a top hat?
A top hat is a tall, cylindrical hat that is typically worn by men. It has a wide brim and a soft crown. The top hat became an iconic symbol of day-to-day fashion during the nineteenth century in Europe and North America where it was popular for men to wear during the day. However, its origins can be traced back as far as the sixteenth century.
Top hats are often decorated with bands or ribbons around their bases and feathers attached to the sides. They are usually made from wool, cashmere, rabbit hair, or beaver fur – although materials vary depending on whether they are designed for cold weather or warm weather.
The current world record for the tallest top hat belongs to British artist John Calvert, who created a hat that measures 8 feet 6 inches tall and 5 feet 10 inches wide.
Why do men wear top hats?
There are a number of reasons why men might choose to wear a top hat. They can be seen as both stylish and practical, as they help to deflect wind and rain away from the wearer’s head and face, and have a padded lining on the inside that helps to keep the wearer’s head warm in colder weather. Top hats are also often used as part of stage costumes or as props in plays and films.
How do you wear a top hat?
When wearing a top hat, it is usually worn ‘crown down’. This means that the brim of the hat is up and covers part of the head. The wearer should also ensure that there is around six inches between the top of their head and the hat’s crown, to avoid injury.
How do you make a top hat?
Traditionally, all top hats were made by hand using felted beaver fur. They are still sometimes made this way today but are now more often manufactured through industrial factory machines. Before they are created, felt pellets are boiled with chemicals before being shaped into tall cylindrical blocks which are then steam-pressed into shape at high pressure.
Conclusion:
Top hats are tall, cylindrical hats that were popular men’s headwear during the nineteenth century in Europe and North America. They became an iconic symbol of day-to-day fashion during this time and were worn by men throughout the day. Top hats originated in the sixteenth century and can be made using either industrial machines or hand-crafted methods.
