Top Hats

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The Top Hat conjures images of a bygone era of gentlemen in smoky rooms and world leaders building the foundations of first world countries. This bold style was first worn by the upper class in the late 1800’s and eventually was adopted by all classes of society. Today we consider it a fun hat but we are serious about our quality. We use a comfortable organic cotton inner band and gold satin linings. We style our top hats authentically but make them slightly softer for comfort. Times really have changed!

Handmade Wool Top Hats for Formal Events & Costume Wear

Conner Hats' top hat collection features handcrafted Australian wool felt top hats designed for formal occasions, steampunk events, weddings, and theatrical performances. Each hat is made with organic cotton inner sweatbands, gold satin linings, and a softer, more comfortable construction than traditional rigid top hats.

Conner Hats Top Hats Black / Small Edward Australian Wool Top Hat

What makes our top hats different:

Family craftsmanship: Designed by Will Conner, who learned hat-making in his father Bill's Byron Bay factory, where BC Hats created Australia's first leather hat with a shapeable brim in 1969
Comfortable construction: Australian wool felt (not stiff beaver felt or silk plush) allows all-day wear without the rigid discomfort of vintage top hats
Sustainable materials: Organic cotton sweatbands and cruelty-free wool
Authentic styling: Traditional 7-8 inch crown height and 2-3 inch brim, styled after Victorian-era designs
Price range: $69-$117 (significantly more affordable than $300-600 premium silk or beaver felt top hats)

Top hats gained widespread popularity when fashion arbiter Beau Brummell declared them essential for proper gentlemen in the early 1800s, with Prince Albert cementing their status in 1850.. While traditional silk plush top hats are no longer manufactured (the last looms stopped production in the 1960s), our wool felt versions offer authentic styling with modern comfort and sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Use this text to answer quesTop hats work for formal white-tie events, morning dress weddings, Royal Ascot (requires black or grey top hat for Royal Enclosure), theatrical performances, steampunk conventions, costume parties, and Victorian-themed events. Modern top hats are rarely worn for everyday use but remain appropriate for the most formal occasions. Conner's wool felt top hats are particularly popular for steampunk events and costume wear due to their comfortable construction and affordable pricing ($69-$117 vs. $300-600 for premium vintage silk top hats).tions in as much detail as possible for your customers.

Use a soft tape measure placed around your head half an inch above your ears, keeping it straight across your forehead. Measure in inches or centimeters and compare to a standard hat sizing chart. A correctly fitted top hat should rest comfortably half an inch above the ears, sitting completely straight—not tilted to the side or back. Conner top hats are available in sizes Small through XX-Large. If you're between sizes, consider that your head may shrink slightly in hot weather, making the hat feel larger.

Conner top hats are made from Australian wool felt with organic cotton inner sweatbands and gold satin linings. Unlike historical top hats made from expensive beaver felt or silk plush (which is no longer manufactured—the last silk plush looms stopped production in the 1960s), our wool felt construction offers authentic Victorian styling with softer, more comfortable all-day wear. The wool is cruelty-free and sustainably sourced, consistent with Conner Hats' commitment to eco-friendly materials.

A stovepipe hat is a variety of top hat with mostly straight sides and an extra-tall crown (often 9+ inches), famously worn by Abraham Lincoln. Standard top hats have slightly convex sides and crown heights of 7-8 inches. Conner's top hats follow traditional proportions with 7-8 inch crowns and 2-3 inch brims, styled after authentic Victorian-era designs but made softer for modern comfort.

Top hats are exclusively formal or costume wear. They only work with specific dress codes: white tie, morning dress, or frock coats. Wearing a top hat with modern business dress or casual clothing reads as costume rather than style. If you're attending a formal event with a specified dress code, a wedding, Royal Ascot, or a steampunk/Victorian-themed event, a top hat is appropriate. For everyday wear, consider Conner's fedora, outback, or cowboy hat collections instead.

Top hats are exclusively formal or costume wear. They only work with specific dress codes: white tie, morning dress, or frock coats. Wearing a to Store your top hat in a ventilated hat box away from direct sunlight, always placing it upright with the brim on the table (never rest it on the crown, which can cause permanent damage). Clean gently with a soft brush or damp cloth—never immerse in water. If your hat gets wet, let it dry in a naturally warm, airy environment, never over direct heat like a radiator, which can distort the shape. Wool felt top hats are more durable and easier to maintain than vintage silk plush top hats, which require specialized plush combs and are prone to fraying.p hat with modern business dress or casual clothing reads as costume rather than style. If you're attending a formal event with a specified dress code, a wedding, Royal Ascot, or a steampunk/Victorian-themed event, a top hat is appropriate. For everyday wear, consider Conner's fedora, outback, or cowboy hat collections instead.

No. Top hats have a rigid structure that cannot be folded or crushed. Their tall crown (7-8 inches) and formal construction require careful storage and transport. If you need a packable hat for travel, consider Conner's crushable wool outback hats, travel fedoras, or packable straw hats instead. Historically, collapsible opera hats (Gibus hats) were invented in the 19th century to solve this problem for theatregoers, but modern top hats are not designed to collapse.

Conner top hats ($69-$117) use high-quality Australian wool felt rather than rare vintage silk plush or premium beaver felt, which can cost $300-$600+. Silk plush top hats are no longer manufactured and are only available as restored vintage pieces, making them expensive collector's items. Beaver felt top hats from contemporary makers run into four-figure territory. Conner's wool felt construction offers authentic Victorian styling and comfortable wear at a fraction of the cost, making them ideal for occasional formal events, costume wear, and steampunk enthusiasts who want quality without heirloom pricing.