Trilbies and pork pies are the short-brim end of the fedora family, and they're the two shapes people most often mix up. A trilby has a narrow brim that angles sharply down at the front and up at the back, with a creased, tapered crown.
Start with material: choose a wool style such as the Detroit Wool Fedora, Mumford Pork Pie Wool Fedora, or Buster Wool Fedora for fall and winter; choose toyo or straw for a lighter warm-weather option, such as the 42nd Street, Casablanca, 5th Avenue, or Avondale Park. For the shape, select a pork pie when you prefer a flatter, more evenly turned-up brim, and a trilby-style fedora when you want a sharper front-to-back angle. Check each product’s listed size carefully: options across the collection include Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, combination sizes, and One Size. For care, follow the individual product guidance and avoid treating wool and straw as interchangeable; clean and store each material as directed.
Trilby and pork pie hats are short-brimmed fedora styles characterized by compact proportions and distinctive crown shapes. Both styles feature brims under 2.5 inches (often called "stingy brims"), making them less formal alternatives to wide-brim fedoras while maintaining structured, tailored silhouettes.
Trilby hats feature a tapered crown with a front pinch and a short brim that angles down in front and up in back. The brim typically measures 1.5 to 2 inches. Named after an 1894 stage play, trilbies became popular in 1920s Britain as a casual alternative to formal fedoras, worn at racetracks and in the countryside.
Pork pie hats are defined by a flat crown with a circular indentation (called a telescope crown) and a narrow brim that turns up all the way around. The brim measures less than 2.5 inches. The flat crown resembles a British pork pie pastry, giving the hat its name. Popularized by Buster Keaton in the 1920s and jazz musicians like Lester Young in the 1940s, pork pies have a lower crown than trilbies or standard fedoras, making them ideal for taller individuals who don't want to add visual height.
These compact fedora styles suit musicians, creative professionals, and anyone seeking a vintage-inspired accessory with less formality than wide-brim fedoras. The lower crown height works particularly well for taller individuals or those with long or oval face shapes. Both styles pair well with casual outfits—denim, leather jackets, and layered looks—while maintaining enough structure for smart-casual occasions.
Conner Hats crafts trilby and pork pie styles from sustainable materials including non-mulesed Australian wool and toyo (paper straw). Straw versions offer breathability for warm weather, while wool styles provide water resistance and year-round wearability. Each hat is handmade with attention to fit and durability, backed by Conner's limited lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship. The guarantee also includes a 50% off code to replace the same hat if yours is ever lost or stolen.
The main difference is the crown shape. Trilby hats have a tapered crown with a front pinch, similar to a standard fedora but more compact. Pork pie hats have a flat crown with a circular indentation (telescope crown) and no pinch. Both feature short brims under 2.5 inches, but trilby brims typically angle down in front and up in back, while pork pie brims turn up all the way around. Trilbies are considered slightly more formal than pork pies.
Trilby and pork pie hats are often considered styles of fedora, but not every fedora is a trilby or pork pie. Trilbies and pork pies have a more compact, casual silhouette than wide-brim fedoras.
Trilby and pork pie hats work best for long, short, or oval face shapes. The narrow brim can feel too small on round or square faces—as a rule, the hat brim should be wider than your jawline. If you have a round or square face, consider a standard fedora with a wider brim (2.5+ inches) for better proportion.
Yes. Straw versions like Conner's toyo styles are specifically designed for warm weather. Straw is usually the coolest, but leather and wool breathe too; it comes down to preference. Look for natural straw materials (toyo and paper straw) rather than felt or wool for summer wear.
Choose a size that fits comfortably snug, rather than relying on the hat to loosen with wear. Measure your head circumference just above your eyebrows and ears, then match it to the size chart: Small (21 1/4-21 5/8 inches), Medium (22-22 3/8 inches), Large (22 3/4-23 1/4 inches), and X-Large (23 1/2-24 inches). Two free size inserts ship with every order to help fine-tune the fit.
Yes. Conner uses non-mulesed wool (no mulesing), and toyo paper straw. The brand sources from suppliers who are required to pay fair wages and treat employees ethically. Each hat is handmade in small batches. Conner runs its original St. Augustine warehouse on 100% solar power (orders now ship from American Fork, Utah) and has been committed to sustainable materials since founder Will Conner established the brand. We still maintain our company food forest at the site and have created a hub there for other small businesses to use the location.
Conner Hats’ Limited Lifetime Guarantee applies to hats purchased from connerhats.com. For a workmanship failure within the first 12 months, Conner will replace the hat with the same style, size, and color, with shipping paid. After 12 months, a workmanship failure is eligible for a 40% off replacement code, with shipping not included. Material degradation from use is eligible for a 30% off code. If your hat is lost or stolen, you can get 50% off the same hat, with shipping not included. To request help, email photos of the issue and your order number.
The named pork pie options are the 42nd Street Pork Pie Toyo Fedora | Toast and the Mumford Pork Pie Wool Fedora | Black. The collection also includes other fedora and safari silhouettes, so compare each product’s description when you want a different crown or brim profile.
Yes, the collection tags identify selected hats with adjustable inner bands, inner stretch bands, or premium terry and stretch-terry bands. These features are not listed for every style, so check the details for the particular hat you are considering before ordering.
Care depends on the material and the individual design. Avoid fully soaking a hat, and let it dry naturally if it gets damp. Australian wool and toyo or other straw are different materials, so do not use a cleaning method meant for one on the other. Follow the care guidance on the relevant product page. Stretching or steaming can help restore a hat's shape.
The Limited Lifetime Guarantee (50% off if lost or stolen) applies to purchases from connerhats.com. For a workmanship failure within the first 12 months, Conner Hats provides a free replacement of the same style, size, and colour, with shipping paid. After 12 months, a workmanship failure qualifies for 40% off a replacement, with shipping not included. Material degradation from use qualifies for a 30% off code. If you believe your hat has a qualifying issue, email photos and your order number to customerservice@connerhats.com. Please do not send the hat back.
