FEDORAS & HOMBURGS

The Fedora rose to prominence following the debut of the 1882 play Fédora, by dramatist Victorien Sardou. This centre creased, soft brimmed hat may bare likeness to the Trilby in its origin, but the Fedora differs in its shape and can be identified by the pronounced “pinch” in the front of its crown and a wide brim.

This semi-formal hat of stiff wool felt found its way to Britain from Germany by King Edward VII. Traditionally offered in black or grey, this gutter crowned piece was a firm favourite of former wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Thanks to Hollywood heavy hitter Al Pacino, the hat is also sometimes referred to as a “Godfather” owing to Pacino’s wearing of a grey Homburg in the 1972 film of the same name.