Top hats (Akubra or other). Do I need a long oval?

[ferguscan]

Hello all,

Long time lurker; first time poster.

I am interested in buying a top hat (to go with my morning dress). And since my head is a 63cm long oval, a vintage silk topper would be ridiculously expensive and maybe even impossible to find (feel free to correct me on this point).

So a grey felt topper from Akubra seems like the way to go. Now, Akubra fedoras are tight on me front-and-back for the first couple of weeks, until they conform to my head shape. Am I right in thinking that a top hat, being very rigid, simply won't do this?

Do I therefore need a long oval hat, and would Akubra be able to make one in my size (sources tell me they won't)?

Are there any other top hat makers out there who could accommodate me for a reasonable price?

Thanks very much everyone,

Stuart

 

[Charlie Huang]

You could, if you have £590 spare (includes postage and everything), buy a new silk plush topper made by Ton Meeuwis of The Netherlands.

http://www.silktophats.eu/

AFAIK, he is the only one on the planet that has access to silk plush (most likely old stock).

As for the Akubra one, I do not know the rigidity of the thing. You would have to ask. If it is soft (like wool toppers) then I would be very wary of buying it...

 

[Topper]

Posting is difficult as a vendor I am not permitted to promote my services. Though some corrections are in order.

Let's just say silk plush comes in many colours, not just black, and whilst not in gereral commerical production is still available if you know where to ask. Just confirm what you want - There are many types of plush, not all plush is silk, some is merely silk "style" plush.

With a Top hat, it is not like buying a "long oval" soft felt - even if the topper is blocked as a long oval. As still it will not reconform by itself.

You should have your head measured properly for every dent and bump with a conformature, and have a stiff topper fitted properly.

Saying that fitting a topper already blocked as a long oval is easier as get less movement of the brim to readjust, though one can take a round oval up to long oval if one wished.

The rigidity of Akubra toppers I have not yet seen in person.

Yes 63cm silk plush is expensive, though not ridiculously . They are rare and thus the expense.