Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: Men's Hats

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Men's Hats

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2905
Printed Date: 7/27/25 at 8:47am
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Topic: Men's Hats

Posted By: Nanette
Subject: Men's Hats
Date Posted: 1/11/08 at 12:57pm

Why, oh why, can one easily find historical refreneces to ladies fashion, but very little on what the men wore? I know that male fashion doesn't change much, but I'm hoping someone can direct me to a site on men's headwear.

Specifically, I'm costuming Prof. Bhaer in 'Little Women' and don't want to put him in a top hat like everyone else, but can find no reference to other headwear. Anyone out there know if the European men (1863-ish) might have worn a boller/Derby hat?

Thanks!

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In a world of margarine, be butter!

Replies:

Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:19pm

http://www.costumegallery.com/research.htm -

http://www.costumegallery.com/research.htm

http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store/hats.php - http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store/hats.php

I like these two sites. You have subscribe to the Costume Gallery to get some stuff.

Linda

Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:41pm

Start with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1860s_in_fashion - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1860s_in_fashion where if you look in the women's article you see a man wearing a straw hat, and the men's section you see the usual top hats.

Here's a store that sells victorian clothing it shows several styles for men's hats in the 1860s: http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store/hats.php - http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store/hats.php

I'd consider the coachman's hat (shorter than a top hat) or the derby...and 'yes' the derby is appropriate here's a quote from the last web site that I cited above:

"Americans call it a derby, after the Earl of Derby who helped popularize it. Englishmen know it as a bowler due to it's shape. Either way, this style of hat was first introduced in the early-1850's in England by Mr. Coke. It crossed the pond to America in the 1860's and remained popular well past the turn of the century.Americans call it a derby, after the Earl of Derby who helped popularize it. Englishmen know it as a bowler due to it's shape. Either way, this style of hat was first introduced in the early-1850's in England by Mr. Coke. It crossed the pond to America in the 1860's and remained popular well past the turn of the century."

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Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:09pm

Thank you both for your help. :o)

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In a world of margarine, be butter!

Posted By: oldactress
Date Posted: 1/14/08 at 10:03am

Dover books has a whole series of books and also paper dolls century by century which are a great reference for men, women and children.