Complete Guide to the Bowler (Derby) Hat & How To Wear It

Video Description

Discover the origins of the bowler hat, its rich and curious history, and how to wear it with style: https://gentl.mn/bowler-hat-guide #bowlerhat #classichats #notsponsored SHOP THE VIDEO: → Reversible Scarf in Burgundy & Blue Silk Motifs & Paisley: https://gentl.mn/scarf-burgundy-blue-motif-paisley → Blue Cornflower Boutonniere: https://gentl.mn/blue-cornflower-boutonniere → Eagle Claw Cufflinks with Onyx Ball: https://gentl.mn/eagle-claw-cufflinks-onyx-ball1 → Prince of Wales Check Tie in Black & White: https://gentl.mn/prince-wales-check-tie-black-white → Light Blue Veronica Persica Boutonniere: https://gentl.mn/blue-veronica-persica-boutonniere1 → White Linen Pocket Square: https://gentl.mn/white-linen-pocket-square1 GUIDES YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS: → Men’s Hats: Anatomy & Vocabulary: https://gentl.mn/hats-anatomy-vocabulary → The Formality Scale: https://gentl.mn/formality-scale1 → Halloween Costumes for Gentlemen: https://gentl.mn/halloween-costumes-for-gentlemen2 → How To Style & Combine An Overcoat: https://gentl.mn/how-to-combine-overcoats → Morning Dress: Dress Code: https://gentl.mn/morning-dress-code1 → How to Get the Right Hat: https://gentl.mn/right-hat-for-your-face-shape1 → Thrift Shopping Tips: https://gentl.mn/thrift-store-tips-tricks1 VIDEO CREDITS: → Script: Aaron White & Preston Schlueter → Camera: Chris Dummer → Editing: Jonathan Oster → Paramount Pictures → Discovery SPECIAL THANKS: → Steve Heck Steve's website can be found at: https://germanaustrianhats.invisionzone.com/ Want to stay updated? Sign up here for free: → https://gentl.mn/newsletter-ebook-sign-up-2 Want to see more videos? Subscribe to our channel! → https://gentl.mn/youtube​ Become a part of the Gentleman's Gazette community - support us on Patreon! https://gentl.mn/patron​ __________________________________________________________ Gentleman's Gazette https://gentl.mn/gentlemansgazette-2 https://gentl.mn/fort-belvedere-shop-2 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gentlemansgazette FREE EBOOK: https://gentl.mn/newsletter-ebook-sign-up-2 __________________________________________________________ 00:00 Bowler Hat Introduction One of the most popular hat styles is the bowler, and while it’s rarely seen in today’s modern fashion, it’s definitely a classic, which we here at the Gentleman’s Gazette continue to appreciate. 00:40 What Is A Bowler Hat? Also referred to as a “derby hat” depending on your location, it's a stiff hat. It can be made from polyester, wool felt, or for the best quality possible, fur felt. 03:21 History of the Bowler Hat It started in 1849. The bowler wasn’t originally designed for style but rather for practicality. 04:45 Why does this hat have so many names? ▬ The hat was originally known as the “Coke hat” named after the Earl, William Coke. ▬ The gamekeepers who wore the hat at Holkham Hall gave it the moniker “Billy Coke” after William Coke, which later morphed into “Billycock.” ▬ Thomas and William Bowler started making more of these hats for the public and decided to market them under their own name as “bowler hats,” which is why this is the most common name for them today. Lock & Co, however, does still refer to this hat style as “the Coke.” ▬ In England, the 12th Earl of Derby began a series of annual horse racing events called the Oaks Stakes named after his estate in 1780. It was later renamed the Derby Stakes and is now known as the Epsom Derby. The word “derby” here meaning a flat race between three-year-old horses. 06:38 19th & 20th Century Bowlers 09:37 The Decline of the Bowler Hat 13:10 Wearing A Bowler Hat: Classic Look 14:15 Casual Look 14:38 Avoid: 1. Mass-Produced-Looking Hats Most bowlers that are made today are often made cheaply and will use polyester blends or, sometimes, even 100% polyester felts in their construction. 16:15 2. Hats with Feathers (For Non-Hipster Looks) Feathers in men’s hats date back as far as the 16th century, but they largely died out by around the 17th century, with the exception of military fashions. By the time of the bowler hats introduction, feathers weren’t very popular unless going for a distinctly costumey or theatrical look. 16:45 3. Women’s Bowler Hat Styles Women’s styles typically sport much shorter brims that are often snapped up all the way around or down all the way around and feature feminine accents like flowers, lace, or large ribbons. These are, again, more in line with cloche styles. They’re also usually softer in construction as opposed to the men’s styles, which, again, are hard and shaped. 20:52 Bowler Hat Care Tips Before each wear of a bowler hat, you should remember to brush it off with a hat brush as even the smallest amount of dust on the hat that comes into contact with moisture, like raindrops, can potentially leave a stain on the hat’s surface. 21:23 Outfit Rundown