10 February 2013
The top hat is an item of clothing that had never been precedented or in recent times matched. It exudes both dignity and sobriety, as well as eccentricity and fun. It can be both menacing and inspiring; archaic and contemporary. Why then has this timeless article been confined to the dusty shelves of antique shops?
The top hat first began to appear at the end of the eighteenth century, and it's arrival caused quite a stir. It's hight and grandness caused many people to fear it. Yet, before long, it had become a staple of western attire. It graced the heads of all, from kings to politicians, con-men to accountants. A victorian gentlemen without a top hat is considered by a modern audience as downright bizarre. And yet to see one today would be considered eccentric verging on the weird. Why is this?
After the Second World War, hats dropped out of fashion. It was far more popular to have your heat bare, or wear a flat cap, than to wear a the tall and ungainly top hat. The new roofed automobiles' low ceilings made it difficult to wear one whilst travelling, and it also became harder to buy one. These days, beyond weddings and funerals, top hats are scarcely seen.
Well, I for one think it's time for a change! I believe the top hat should have a resurgence, and should adorn the tops of self-respecting gentlemen of today. The top hat is timeless, un-aging. Good makers should be reformed, traditions renewed. I am personally rather partial to the hight of the stovepipe hat, but there are plenty of varieties to choose from. So go out there and get one. Bring back the top hat!
In Appreciation Of The Top Hat • Opuss № I