A
top-hat
or
top hat
is a kind of tall, flat-crowned, broad-brimmed
hat worn
by men and was especially common in the
19th century. They were made from stiffened
felt made
from
beaver fur or from
silk. A
popular version, particularly in the
United States
in the 19th century, was the
stovepipe hat.
Unlike many top-hats, this version was straight,
like piping, and was not wider at the top
and bottom. Often they were taller than
the typical top-hat.
Later on, top-hats were sometimes given
an internal hinged frame, making them collapsible.
Such hats are often called "opera
hats", though the term can be synonymous
with any top-hat, or any tall formal men's
hat.
Top-hats are sometimes associated with
stage magic.
Top Hat
