A brief history of the Top hat

?

The Top hat was designed and first worn by John Hetherington who was a?mens clothing maker in the 1840's.It was obvious to everybody that the top hat was no ordinary hat. The first time John Hetherington wore the hat in public people were shocked and crowds gathered .John Hetherington was arrested and fined for wearing the hat in public ! A law was introduced to prevent people wearing the hat as it could scare people.
The actual concept of a top hat was based on that of a riding hat that was cylindrical but flat.John Hetherington had simply added to the height and size of the brim giving it a grand appearance.
The Top hat was to become the grandest of allhats.A hat which represents wealth,success and power.A hat that would go on to be worn by some of the most successful people in history.

The hat for the big occasion

Today top?hats?are used for all sorts of special occasions.From weddings to days at the races,men can be seen wearing top?hats?.
For that touch of elegance nothing really finishes of an outfit like these fantastic?hats.
Buying a top hat can be an exciting prospect and today you can be faced with such a choice it's hard to know where to start .You may want a tall hat or maybe a shorter style.Silk,fur felt or wool. And you also have a choice of colours from black which is traditional or grey,navy,red or white.
Christys' of?London offer the best range available today in the UK.

Christys' of London

Christys' & Company Ltd of?London?history

The House of Christy was founded by Miller Christy in a small courtyard shop off Gracechurch Street in the city of?London?in 1773. After serving a ten year apprenticeship Miller had become fully qualified in the "Art and Mastery of Felt Making." He was a man of high ideals and character, a Quaker, so it is not surprising that the little hat business soon acquired something of a reputation and trade progressed and grew steadily. As early records testify even in the infancy of the business Christys'?hats?were in great demand .

Christys' quality

Christys' is the only company in the world still making high quality top?hats?and bowlers in the traditional way. Using hatting skills established over 200 years ago, the dedication of their highly skilled craftsmen is helping to keep a valuable industry very much alive. Today, the making of quality?hats?is still a very labour intensive process. With some 45 operations involved, many done by hand, the skills of the hat makers have to be developed over many years of specializing in one operation.

Christys' tradition

The Christy family was introduced to hat making through?marriage with the Miller family, some members of which were engaged in hat making in the eighteenth century. In 1773 Miller Christy, founder of the House of Christy, was apprenticed to his brother-in-law William Miller to learn the art of hat making. After a ten year apprenticeship he founded The House Of Christy. Married and started a family. The two eldest sons, John and William were taken into partnership. The Christy family has fostered the tradition and craft of hat making for over 200 years. Through its history the craftsmanship of a Christys' hat has lent itself to many shapes, from police helmets, riding caps and genuine Ecuadorian panamas to the fine fur felts that have become the hallmark of the Christys' brand. The House of Christys' has maintained the highest standards of hat making throughout their history and continues that tradition to the present day.

Christys Fur Felt Taller Top Hat

A superior top hat available now from cotswoldcountryhats.com

?