DERBY-H

While hats come in various shapes and materials, the bowler hat is a type of robustly constructed "hard hat." Its origins trace back to the 1800s.

It is said that the hat originated from a commission by Thomas Coke, a nobleman from Norfolk and a customer of the renowned British hatmaker James Lock & Co. Hatters, who requested William Bowler to create it. James Lock & Co. Hatters named it the "Coke hat" after their client, but it became widely known by the maker's name, the "bowler hat."

However, some theories suggest that hats similar in shape to the bowler existed as early as around 1821, even before William Bowler's creation. There's also an anecdote about Thomas Coke's father requesting a low-air-resistance hat from James Lock & Co. Hatters. At the time, the top hats worn by aristocratic servants were often dropped or lost during their duties, so it's said that these more practical hats were bought and given to them.

Initially worn as country wear by those of lower social standing, the bowler hat gained popularity among gentlemen for town use from the 1870s onwards, largely due to its adoption by the British Crown Prince (later Edward VII).

In America, it is also known as the "derby hat," and at HWDOG, we prioritize American design sources, hence our adoption of this name.

For this derby hat, we have created an original wooden block based on a vintage derby hat. Unlike typical round blocks, it features a classic silhouette with a wider crown. Due to the difficulty of removing the hat after shaping with a regular block, we employ a block system, carefully extracting it from the inside – a labor-intensive process where skilled craftsmen meticulously create each hat by hand. It embodies a warmth and quality unique to handmade products, which mass production cannot replicate.

The brim features an all-up style, similar to that found on Homburg hats. The material used is wool with an antelope finish, and it is adorned with a luxurious American-made men's hat ribbon.

This is the original HWDOG derby hat, boasting a timeless classic form and infused with our unwavering commitment to quality.

*Please note that there may be slight variations in the color of materials and supplies between the actual product and the photos due to production timing. Customers wishing to request a return or exchange should contact us via email within 3 days of receiving their order.