The bowler hat

An iconic part of the city gent’s uniform, the black bowler hat was named after nephew and uncle Thomas and William Bowler from Manchester, who were involved in its invention along with Lock & Son of London. They created it in 1849 as protective headgear for horse riders ~ top hats were unsuitable in windy weather and among trees and the riding hat had not yet been invented.

The bowler, with its close-fitting, hard domed crown and slim brim was universally welcomed. Its practicality ensured that it appealed to everyone, including entertainers such as Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy. It was very popular in the USA, Ireland and, in a twist of fate, Bolivia.

Before the advent of central heating and a freer style of dress, everybody wore a hat and the bowler became one of the stereotypical symbols of the UK. However, after the 1970s it went out of fashion, but its ageless functionality and style mean that it continues to be produced, albeit in modern colours, with various adornments and with occasional whispers of a revival.

(Top image: University of Glasgow Library at Flickr.com / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)