Top hat 1849 - 1853

Here we see a top hat made by Crofut & Thomas, though its date is unknown, it resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A top hat, such as this, represents more than just a piece of apparel; it's a potent symbol of 19th-century Western society. Manufactured and marketed during the height of industrial capitalism, the top hat became associated with the elite. Its very form, tall and unyielding, spoke of aspiration and status. One can imagine the boardrooms and political stages where such a hat would have been commonplace. Analyzing surviving business records, newspaper advertisements, and fashion plates of the era would provide valuable insight into understanding the social codes embedded within the attire of the time. Only then can we fully appreciate the cultural significance of this seemingly simple object.