Description
A silk top hat is made from hatters' plush, a soft silk weave with a very long, defined nap. This is very rare now, since it is no longer in general production, and it is thought that there are no looms capable of producing the traditional material any more; the last looms were destroyed by the last owner after a violent breakup with his brother.
It is common to see top hats in stiff wool felt and even soft wool. Cotton velour top hats are also becoming increasingly popular. Though limited in variation of shape and height, there are many modern examples from which to choose, including the shorter "half-top" and the "low Derby".
Because of the rarity of vintage hats, and the expense of modern top hats, the vintage/antique market is very lively, with models in wearable condition typically hard to find; price often varies with size (larger sizes are typically more expensive) and condition. Many surviving hats are sized much smaller than the modern average size.
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
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