The homburg hat was popular at the beginning of the 20th Century. It comes with a center crease crown and a rolled bound-edge trim, with a double bow grosgrain hat band. Unlike the bowler or the top hat, the Homburg was not as firm, but it was a slightly stiffened soft fur felt hat to keep its shape. Overall, it was an elegant felt hat that was not as formal as the derby hat. But they often wore it when strolling in town or in place of a boater hat.
Until about 1914, the Homburg hat kept its position on the hat formality scale. The repp band on the brim was sometimes light grey, while the hat band was the same color or darker. Over time, the brim curl diminished, and the crown lost some height. After WWI, the hat became darker; black homburg hats were the most popular color, especially in the 1950s.
Former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill wore the Homburg hat during World War II, they often saw him in London wearing a homburg with a black suit and with formal trousers.
Dwight D. Eisenhower wore a dark grey homburg hat with a stroller suit for his inauguration on January 20, 1953. Al Pacino made the homburg very famous by wearing it in the famous film The Godfather, for which reason the hat is often called a “Godfather”. Many Jazz singers also wore the famous Homburg, musicians such as John Lee Hooker, Duke Ellington, and many preachers of the time.
Nowadays, the homburg hat is worn in many classic films and theatrical performances. They often wore a homburg hat in Kentucky derby events, Great Gatsby parties, or even vintage formal events.
We carry Miller Hats Homburgs in rabbit fur. The hat is available in black, brown, gray and it comes with a double bow grosgrain band. We line them with the famous Miller Hats satin liners.
Although you rarely see them on the streets, there will probably always be a few distinguished men who appreciate the elegance of a good Homburg hat. If you are a hat wearer, chances are you already have a few fedora hats in your collection, so next time, instead of looking at a Trilby or a Pork Pie hat, put on a Homburg and see how it looks. I am certain you will look exceptional!
