Toppers Unite

[Brad Bowers]

My guess is that it's teens or twenties for age, as it fits a more modern style. Also, the sweatband probably is original to the hat, as most of the ones I've seen from that period and earlier don't have the brand name on the hat, usually just a retailer stamp. Most top hats probably wouldn't have been used near enough to require a sweatband replacement during their lifetimes.

Brad

 

[Aureliano]

Thanks Brad.

 

[Charlie Huang]

It is silk. The condition is okay but I noticed some wear to the crown edge. I'm sort of dating it slightly later than 1920s/30s.

 

[Charlie Huang]

David Beckham's topper at the Royal Wedding:

Made by a milliner, thus it looks like a fancy dress hat.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Reports where he never had it on his head.

 

[Charlie Huang]

Reports where he never had it on his head.

Exactly. By doing so he turns it into a mere fashion accessory with not use whatsoever. What's the point of bringing it if he wasn't going to wear it? I have a feeling he looked at it, realised he made a mistake letting a milliner (who most likely knows nothing about how to make top hats) do a hatmaker's job, realised what he paid for it then decided to carry rather than wear it to get his money's worth.

 

[Aureliano]

It is silk. The condition is okay but I noticed some wear to the crown edge. I'm sort of dating it slightly later than 1920s/30s.

It has some wear, yes. But I like it like that. Has character and since I'm not planning on wearing it, it doesn't matter. Thanks for all the input.

 

[bowlerman]

It has some wear, yes. But I like it like that. Has character and since I'm not planning on wearing it, it doesn't matter. Thanks for all the input.

Dude, whatever the vintage, it is a very cool hat!

 

[Charlie Huang]

http://charlesrupertdomeki.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/letter-to-the-times-regarding-toppers/

A letter in The Times and a comment in The Spectator. Not bad for a days job.

 

[mercuryfelt76]

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69/imag0418c.jpg/
This is my Battersby & Co, probably 1920s and properly fitted with a conformateur. Great condition and I just wore it to Ascot on Wednesday.

 

[Charlie Huang]

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69/imag0418c.jpg/
This is my Battersby & Co, probably 1920s and properly fitted with a conformateur. Great condition and I just wore it to Ascot on Wednesday.

Nice!

 

[mercuryfelt76]

Nice!

Thanks Charlie, here's another pic... I'll take some more of the inside too.

 

[tophatman]

Hello, I currently have 2 top hats and I am planning to get a silk top hat however, I was wondering what the availability of a silk top hats is, and how much one may cost.

 

[mayserwegener]

Thought I post this one here too. P. & C. Habig ZYLINDER Hut + case, size 58cm, 1934, excellent condition.

 

[BR Gordon]

Hello, I currently have 2 top hats and I am planning to get a silk top hat however, I was wondering what the availability of a silk top hats is, and how much one may cost.

tophatman, Sorry that I hadn't read this earlier. Here's a site that may have what you're looking for. http://www.silk-top-hats.com/

BR

 

[Joshbru3]

Thought I post this one here too. P. & C. Habig ZYLINDER Hut + case, size 58cm, 1934, excellent condition.

That's the most beautiful Topper that Ive ever seen!! It looks completely unworn. I can't believe that the sweatband is still snow white. That case is awesome too. I don't know how you find these museum quality pieces, Steve! :eusa_clap:eusa_clap

 

[mayserwegener]

Josh, Thanks! This one is in excellent condition and it didn't go for that high a price. I am not sure if you saw this old high crown Austrian Velour. I am think it could be pre WWI.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?32103-German-amp-Austrian-Hutmachers&p=1311986&viewfull=1#post1311986

 

[Joshbru3]

Josh, Thanks! This one is in excellent condition and it didn't go for that high a price. I am not sure if you saw this old high crown Austrian Velour. I am think it could be pre WWI.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?32103-German-amp-Austrian-Hutmachers&p=1311986&viewfull=1#post1311986

How the heck did I miss that one????? I'm in love with that velour. :faint2: :faint: Ok....so that hat is on my holly grail list. There's probably not another one out there, so I guess it will have to just be a dream. :noidea:

 

[mayserwegener]

I was suprised it didn't draw any attention since. Have to believe it is one of the oldest examples of a Fedora snap brim on the FL.

 

[mercuryfelt76]

Just bought a fabulous silk topper in my size (59 or 7 1/4) which is very hard to find. It's by a London hat makers called Tress & Co and in near-perfect condition. I just can't believe it's a perfect fit. It needed a bit of conforming to fit me properly and so using nothing more than an oven hob and my bare hands (and plenty of care) I conformed it to my head and shaped the brim the way I like it. I'll be posting pictures of it here soon...