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Post by Eleanor on Apr 28, 2011 10:50:15 GMT -5
I'm looking for some inspiration for a gentleman's top hat. So far, in the portraits and fashion plates that I've found, if there is a top hat shown, the gentleman is more often than not holding it, and it is hard to see the size and shape.
I hope to order one soon for my husband's civilian attire, but I don't want to mix and match time periods. I'm looking for what would have been in style in the early 1800s.
Have any of you come across some good examples?
With thanks,
~E
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Post by The Major on Apr 28, 2011 13:10:58 GMT -5
Sorry, doing mostly military I have not had a need yet. However, that may be changing as I would like to begin on a civilian impression in addition to my military. So, does anyone else have more information? Doctor?
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Post by The Major on Apr 28, 2011 20:12:11 GMT -5
Okay, here is what I have, which isn't much. Here is a website that sometime ago I purchased their straw low topper and have been very pleased with it, and it is period appropriate for the Regency/Federalist period. I'm told their Belled Top Hat is appropriate for the Regency period and I've seen it in a couple of the Jane Austen movies. I've had my eye on it for a while. Can someone here confirm that it is indeed appropriate for the Regency/Federalist period? Here's the url: www.top-hats.comThey also have ladies bonnets and such. Otherwise there's this place - www.gentlemansemporium.com - but I think their top hats are more victorian era.
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Post by Eleanor on Apr 28, 2011 22:23:34 GMT -5
I have, in some of my reading, seen the top hat described as tall, and slightly conical, though I have also seen the hat on the site you posted, good Major. Indeed, this is why I was looking for more pictorial evidence. So, the two I have it narrowed down to are as seen here: hatcrafters.com/page1.htm No. 7 for the tall and conical, and No. 17 (in black) for the more "belled" look. I know the movies aren't the best source of documentation, but I must say I rather like this look: Attachments:
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Post by The Major on Apr 29, 2011 6:16:22 GMT -5
Yes indeed, I like them both. Fortunately I have some time before I have to make a decision (I need to get a coat and such made first). But that doesn't make the decision any easier. Thanks for the source.
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Post by esther on Apr 29, 2011 8:39:58 GMT -5
So, the two I have it narrowed down to are as seen here: hatcrafters.com/page1.htm No. 7 for the tall and conical, and No. 17 (in black) for the more "belled" look. Might I also add, that if you are interested in an early Regency/1790s look, the John Bull hat is also a good choice. I've seen it in person and it looks very much like the hat in this engraving from 1794:
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Post by The Doctor on Apr 29, 2011 9:28:32 GMT -5
So, does anyone else have more information? Doctor? Hmm? Yes? Oh sorry, I had wandered off and wasn't paying attention. I believe Hatcrafters was already mentioned, that's where I got mine. The "Empire" style was the one I got, good quality at a good price. But if you get this one, DO NOT get it wet, it'll ruin it but good. Had a friend with the same hat that got caught in the rain in his.
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Post by esther on Apr 29, 2011 10:19:49 GMT -5
I believe Hatcrafters was already mentioned, that's where I got mine. The "Empire" style was the one I got, good quality at a good price. But if you get this one, DO NOT get it wet, it'll ruin it but good. Had a friend with the same hat that got caught in the rain in his. Could the ruined hat be fixed with a good re-blocking? What did the rain do to it? I'm curious because I'm thinking of getting that hat for my husband.
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Post by The Doctor on Apr 29, 2011 10:31:13 GMT -5
I am much afear'd that I do not know enough about hats and the hat-making process to me of much use. My friend's hat lost its tightness and sagged, and the hatband became dislodged to the point where he had to eventually pull it off.
It MIGHT have been able to have been re-blocked, but I don't think he ever tried to.
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Apr 29, 2011 13:45:30 GMT -5
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Post by oriane on Apr 29, 2011 17:42:02 GMT -5
I've been looking for a hat for my husband as well. Thank you for posting such wonderful links. I didn't see any prices on the hatcrafters site....do you know how much the #7 and #17 hats cost?
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Post by Eleanor on Apr 29, 2011 18:15:57 GMT -5
I have the price list for the Hatcrafters site. No. 17, the High Topper, is listed at $72.00, No. 7, the Empire, at $44.00. This price list is a year old, however, so I would call before ordering.
I wonder if the price is indicative of the quality. It would explain why the Empire did not hold up well in the rain.
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Post by Eleanor on Apr 30, 2011 9:42:41 GMT -5
I've been doing some searching on the web and in the books I have. This is just a brief examination, but it appears that early in the 1800s the hat, in general, was shorter. After about 1810, they started to get taller. So during the actual Regency period, from 1811-1820 or so, the hats appear to be the taller sort. My husband and I portray characters from a bit earlier, 1805, so it seems a shorter hat will be appropriate. Pity. I really did like the taller ones! Do note that this is only a generalization from the few examples I've found so far. Attachments:
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Post by Eleanor on Apr 30, 2011 9:52:16 GMT -5
Another pre-1810 image. Attachments:
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Post by Eleanor on Apr 30, 2011 9:53:17 GMT -5
1812 Attachments:
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Post by Eleanor on Apr 30, 2011 9:59:58 GMT -5
1813-1817 Attachments:
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Post by Goblin, esq. on May 1, 2011 13:57:46 GMT -5
I bought hatcrafters' No. 270 ("Conical", pg. 7) recently. It is a bit shorter, and might be appropriate for a slightly earlier period. It cost $44 plus shipping. I haven't had a chance to wear it to an event yet. Edited to add pictures (because the self portraits didn't come out very well, these are not of myself wearing the hat, but should give you a reasonable idea of the shape):
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Post by dawnluckham on May 1, 2011 16:48:47 GMT -5
While the hat's nice, Goblin, the model is adorable! How he's grown!
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Post by Eleanor on May 1, 2011 19:36:17 GMT -5
I must agree, your boy is too cute! And I think you may be right about the hat. Here is an example from 1798 that looks amazingly like yours: Attachments:
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Post by Goblin, esq. on May 1, 2011 23:15:39 GMT -5
This is the hat I had in mind when I ordered mine: The painting is French, from 1795, so a bit before the Regency.
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