Top Hats

About Top Hats

The top hat emerged in England in the late eighteenth century, with accounts of early versions appearing as far back as 1797. It rose rapidly through the social ranks to become the definitive hat of the nineteenth century, worn by everyone from working gentlemen to heads of state. Abraham Lincoln's stovepipe top hat is perhaps its most famous association in American history, a tall, flat-crowned variation that became inseparable from his image. Across the Atlantic, the top hat became a fixture of British formal occasions, from Royal Ascot to state ceremonies, a tradition that continues today.

Construction is what gives the top hat its commanding presence. Traditional versions were built from beaver felt or silk plush stretched over a stiffened buckram frame, producing a hat with a hard, smooth shell and a precise cylindrical crown. Silk top hats, also called opera hats or gibus when they collapse flat for easy storage, were the gold standard of formal dress through the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Modern versions are more commonly made from wool felt or synthetic materials that replicate the look without the weight, making them practical for theatrical use, fancy dress, and the occasional formal occasion where the dress code calls for top hat and tails.

At HatsXCaps you'll find top hats in black and white, in classic tall silhouettes and shorter dress variations, suited to formal events, costume occasions, and collectors who appreciate the craftsmanship behind one of history's most theatrical hats. Whether you're dressing for a wedding, a race day, or simply want to own a piece of hat history, a well-made top hat commands a room in a way that few accessories can.

Browse our Derby Hats for a more compact formal style rooted in the same Victorian era, or visit our Trilby Hats if you want a lighter, more everyday dress hat.

Top Hat FAQs

Why is it called a top hat?

The top hat gets its name from its position on the head: it sits at the very top, with a tall, flat-crowned cylinder that rises above any other style of hat. The name was in common use by the early nineteenth century as a straightforward description of the hat's distinctive height and shape. Earlier names for similar styles included "stovepipe hat" and "beaver hat," referring to the materials used rather than the silhouette.

What does a top hat symbolize?

The top hat has long symbolized wealth, status, and formal authority. Through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries it was the hat of the gentleman, the statesman, and the upper class, and its association with power and prestige has never entirely faded. Today it also carries theatrical and celebratory connotations, appearing at race days, weddings, and formal events as a signal of occasion and elegance. In popular culture it is equally associated with showmanship and spectacle, from circus ringmasters to magicians.

Why don't people wear top hats anymore?

Top hats fell out of everyday use through the first half of the twentieth century as social formality relaxed, and car travel replaced horse-drawn carriages, making tall hats impractical. The widespread adoption of softer, lower-profile hats and the general casualization of dress codes after World War II accelerated the decline. Today the top hat survives in specific formal contexts such as Royal Ascot, white tie events, and certain military ceremonies, as well as fancy dress and theatrical performance, but it is no longer considered everyday wear.

What is the difference between a top hat and a stovepipe hat?

A stovepipe hat is a specific variation of the top hat with a very tall, straight, cylindrical crown and minimal taper, resembling a length of stovepipe. It is most closely associated with Abraham Lincoln, who wore a variation measuring around seven inches in height. A standard top hat typically has a slightly tapered or belled crown and comes in a range of heights, whereas the stovepipe is defined by its exceptional height and perfectly straight sides.