Show cabinets full of various hats at Lock & Co hatters, 's, London. Photo:Jeff Gilbert
On February 17th 1797 John Hetherington was the first gentleman to be seen wearing a Top Hat, supposedly his invention, in a fashionable part of London, probably St James’s. On February 17th 1797 John Hetherington was the first gentleman to be seen wearing a Top Hat, supposedly his invention, in a fashionable part of London, probably St James’s. This rather unspectacular sounding event turned out rather differently Mr Hetherington caused a furore and riot ensued. Horses bolted, ladies fainted and rotten fruit was hurled. He was promptly arrested for ‘occasioning a breach of the peace’ and bound over to keep the peace in the sum of five hundred pounds, a fortune then and a considerable sum even now. Top Hats were originally made of beaver fur, hence the beaver trade and the term re-furbished. In 1830, black Top Hats made out French manufactured ‘silk plush’ became objects of fashion as the carriage trade required a certain level of sophistication. Top Hats were centred in the English towns of London, Luton and Stockport but were soon to be manufactured world wide, with various new styles being created. Today, Top Hats are worn for all sorts of sporting and social occasions. In October 1986 the wearing of Top Hats in the street finally came to an end when the Stock Jobbers ceased wearing them in the city. Around the same time, two brothers who owned the last looms in Lyon fell out. The looms were then destroyed resulting in the end of silk plush manufacture. The manufacturing of silk Top Hats eventually ceased around 1980 and it is very unlikely that it will ever start up again due to the vast expense of making new looms. The silk itself is also expensive as it takes a metre and a half which is cut on the bias and means much of it is wasted. Having said this Old Black Top Hats are now regaining their former status; gentlemen are demanding them for various occasions such as the Derby, Royal Ascot, weddings and garden parties.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Lock & Co hatters, 's Street, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © Jeff Gilbert / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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