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The Birth: Bowler Hat, Derby Hats and Top Hat

The birth of a hat is the most momentous event in the life of a hat...   derby hatOrigins: The bowler, derby, and top hat are similar yet differ in a few major ways. We will start with the bowler hat. The bowler hat, created on 6th St. James Street in London by hatters George and James Lock was originally created for just one man. The hat was a custom hat for an aristocrat named William Coke II. He wanted the hat for his estate servants to wear when patrolling his estate. It was a stronger more practical replacement for the traditional top hat. Mr. Coke was pleased with the durability of the hat. The hat at first was called a “coke” hat but was soon changed to a “bowler” cap after William Bowler who was the first creator of the first bowler prototype. The hat was initially worn by professional servants but was later adopted by lawyers, doctors, bankers and many other professionals. The derby hat was the name given to the “bowler” hat when it made its way to America. It was a hard and durable hat perfect for a wide range of uses and professions. The hat rose to prominence when used during horseback riding, and soon, more causal versions of the hat were made featuring softer material made specifically for the middle and lower classes. The top hat was created in the 18th century. In 1797 a man named Hetherington first wore the hat on the streets and people were so taken aback by the over the top style that Hetherington was actually arrested for disturbing the peace. For wearing a hat! He made front page news and this led to many people wearing the hat. The top hat quickly became associated with the upper class and over the years would become an iconic symbol in America. The top hat would later become the symbol for capitalism, and the monopoly of capitalism. The hat started in the upper class but soon spread to all classes. The top hat has evolved over the years at first being very broad and tall to the more modern looking top hat that is much smaller. top hatStyles: The bowler, derby, and top hat are all close variations of the same tough hard cloth cap. There are many variations of each some simpler and some more complex with ribbons, other accents, two tone styles and more. The bowler hat offers a elegant, fancy look to both men or women. The bowler hat features a more rounded crown than the top hat and derby hat. The bowler hat has not change changed its style over the last few decades. The saying goes, "if it ain't broke don't fix it." The derby hat is another great similar hat choice. The derby hat is very similar to the bowler hat but the bill is more curled up. The derby hat is the iconic hat of the leprechaun. He may not give you his pot of gold, but you can take a page out of his style book. When it comes to top hats, there are several styles that you can check out. Top hats differ in mostly size, material and shape. If you are looking for a more subdued top hat style you can find a smaller style, if you want the traditional over sized over the top style you can find that too. A top hat is like a fine wine, every hat is different and they all have their unique personalities. Check out the bowler, derby, and top hats that are available.   derby hat  The Future... The bowler, derby, and top hat is not as popular as it once was early in our country’s history, but it still remains a great option for more refined style and for more elegant occasions. Here at e4Hats.com we strive to be on the cutting edge of the hat world and we are always updating our hat inventory of new and elegant looking bowler, derby, and top hats. All of these hats offer a classic look that is never going to go out of style. There is always going to be somebody out there that is looking to add that little something extra to their personal style. The future of these styles includes showing respect to the past while looking in to the future. These hat styles are classic and are not going to change too much going in to the future. What is going to change moving forward is these hats are starting to make a big comeback, these classic vintage style hats are being adopted into modern fashion now and will continue to do so in the future.     heart-of-heartsShow Your Hat Some Love: Bowler, derby, and top hats are usually made of tough, durable material but also require some care and maintenance. You can purchase a soft brush to help you gently clean your hat. These types of hats are perfect for dry cleaning if you are looking for the most delicate care options. You hat shows you a lot of love, show your hat a little love from time to time. Proper care and maintenance of these sometimes delicate hats can make your hat last well beyond its years. These hats should never be soaked in water and gentle cleansers are the best way to spot treat your hat. Taking a little time to remember hat care can go a long way in determining the longevity of your hat. Be sure to also check out these common hat care tips below to help you get the most out of your bowler, derby, or top hat.     Here are some additional common hat care tips:
  • Every hat will develop its own personality and style with time. Small marks on the hat are all part of the hats life cycle and only add to its authenticity.
  • All hats can be treated with a waterproof spray if necessary
  • Some hats might shrink if they are exposed to high heat, or left out exposed to sunlight
  • A stiff brim allows your hat to be shape the way that you would like, but some hats feature a flexible brim that allows the hat to be crushed.
  • If you do not have a hat form place the hat on a bowl while it dries to keep its form.
  • The dishwasher is another viable option for washing a hat but can sometimes fade the colors of the hat,
  • Dry cleaning is also a cheap and effective way to keep your hat clean
  • If you are completely lost about hat care check the tag to find washing instructions
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