Leather Top Hat

Top hat (from German Zylinder) — a European men’s hat, representing a high hat with a flat top. Top hats as everyday headwear were common throughout the 18th – 19th centuries.

– Thick 2.5 mm rigid leather was used, which holds its shape perfectly
– High crown, protecting the head from rain and wind
– Slightly bent up brims, protecting the face and neck from bad weather or too hot sun rays
– the brims are sheathed along the edge with leather piping;
– all seams are manual.

– Initially, top hats were made from beaver felt, an expensive and rare material, which led to their high price and availability only to the upper strata of the population. Hence the association of top hats with wealth arose. In the manufacture of felt, mercury preparations were used, causing chronic poisoning of hatters, accompanied by characteristic dementia, which is where the concept of the “mad hatter” came from.
– In North American Masonic lodges, top hats are often associated with the Master of the lodge – this is probably due to the fact that among the members of the lodge only he has the privilege of wearing a headgear (not only a top hat). In other countries, especially in some German systems, top hats are worn by all members of the lodge