The Mad Hatter's Blog

What hat would you put on a Snowman?

Have they always had top hats?

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Vintage Silk Plush Top Hats are often seen in Black, but were they made in other colours?....

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Well the last few weeks have been colder, so here is something special from our collection of Vintage Hat Tools and gadgets....

Any guesses what it was used for? For that traditional person who has everything... a Hat Warmer!

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Today’s blog is of an item from our collection of Vintage Hat Tools that is still used by Hatters today when fitting Top Hats, Bowler Hats and other stiff headwear.

What were the Conformateur and Formillion used for, and when were they created?

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When does a Gentleman take off his hat? What is doffing? Is Tipping different from doffing ? Here are some traditional etiquette points of when and where hats should not be worn.

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Opening and closing a Collapsible Top Hat can be done in a number of ways, though it often depends on the condition/age of the Topper which method is most suitable and some methods should be avoid irrespective of age.

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So what is the best colour Top Hat to wear when attending The Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot?

Is it Black, Grey or can it be Navy? Or does choice depend if you wish style, comfort or tradition.

Does the colour choice depend on the type of material of the Top Hat, does wearing a Wool Felt, Fur Felt, Melusine or Silk Plush make a difference?

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The first official invention of what we now refer to as a collapsible top hat in England was in 1812, by the hatter Thomas Francis Dollman

Whilst Gibus is the more famous maker of collapsible top hats, there were many other makers and designs of collapsible hats before Gibus perfected his.

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