Top Hats: A 'Tall' Story...
By Margaret Pitts - AKA The MiniMilliner...
The top hat today is associated with splendid occasions such as weddings, Ascot etc, (otherwise known as a “ posh do” ), but this was not always the case...
The History of 'The Top Hat'...
Back in 1797 when the first top hat appeared in
The original hats were made from beaver fur and in order to soften the pelts, they were treated with mercury nitrate, a highly toxic chemical. The hatters who were in regular contact with this poisonous substance often developed serious mental and psychotic problems and it is said that is where the phrase “as mad as a hatter” originated.
Possibly because of this, tall hats were also made in a variety of other materials, including straw, leather and even wood. They also came in several different colours such as brown, white, grey, green and maroon, as well as the more traditional black.
The first black silk top hats were made in
Although the collapsible top hats were normally associated with the opera, they also played a part in British politics until as recently as 1998. In the House of Commons, members wishing to raise a point of order during a division were required to wear a top hat. Large numbers of these hats obviously took up a great amount of space, so collapsible ones were kept permanently in the House for this purpose up to just ten years ago.
Sadly, silk plush top hats are no longer made. Production stopped around 1980 when the owners of the last looms ( two brothers in
On a happier note, there are still many vintage, refurbished hats to be found (at a price) and if you happen to have one in the attic, it could be worth a bob or two!
Of course grey felt top hats are now seen at Ascot and are also very popular at weddings, so the tradition lives on…….. just in a different colour and fabric………and nobody faints or screams at all !
Written by
Margaret Pitts ( AKA “ MiniMilliner”)