Top Hats

The top hat is the most formal hat in menswear. Its tall crown and flat top create a striking silhouette that has defined elegance for over two centuries. For a less formal rounded alternative, see our bowler hats.

Traditional top hats are made from beaver felt or silk plush, though quality wool felt is now the standard for most occasions. The stiff construction holds its shape beautifully and lasts for years with proper care. Collapsible top hats, also called opera hats, flatten for easy storage and travel, then spring back into shape when needed.

Top hats are worn at weddings, Royal Ascot, formal race meetings, and black tie events with morning dress or white tie attire. A black top hat is the classic choice for most occasions. Grey top hats are traditional for daytime weddings and Ascot. At Carriston, we stock mens top hats and womens top hats for wholesale and retail customers, including collapsible styles for convenience and traditional silk versions for the finest occasions.

Top Hat Questions Answered

What was the purpose of top hats?

The top hat was originally designed as a formal alternative to the tricorn hat in the late 1700s. It became a symbol of status and respectability in the 1800s, worn by gentlemen for business, social events, and formal occasions. The tall crown made the wearer appear taller and more distinguished. Over time, it became the standard hat for the most formal dress codes and remains so today for events like Royal Ascot and traditional weddings.

What are the rules for wearing a top hat?

Top hats are worn with formal morning dress or white tie evening attire. For daytime events like weddings and races, match a grey top hat with a morning suit. For evening events, a black silk top hat pairs with white tie and tails. The hat should sit level on your head, not tilted. Remove your top hat indoors and during the national anthem. At seated events, place it under your chair or on a hat stand. Never place it brim down, as this can damage the shape.

What is a top hat also known as?

The top hat goes by several names. A collapsible version is called an opera hat or a Gibus, named after its French inventor. A very tall top hat may be called a stovepipe hat, famously worn by Abraham Lincoln. In formal dress codes, the silk top hat worn with white tie is sometimes simply called a silk hat. The beaver felt versions from the 1800s were often called beaver hats or high hats.