looking for advice on a top hat

[MystArt]

As per my previous post that I plan to go to London and dress like Jacob Fry from Assassin's Creed Syndicate, I am in need of advice when it comes to the top hat.

In order to make my plan work, I am definitely going to need a collapsible top hat. That way I can easily pack it in my luggage and also whip it out of my coat and put it on my head for photos and then scrunch it down again and put it back in my coat.



Now, it appears that I have one of two ways to do this: buy a brand new one or buy an antique.

If I get a new one:
I can ensure I get one that fits (I take a 7 3/8 size)
It will be durable and can withstand lots of popping up and down


If I get an antique
I run the risk of it not fitting or falling apart.
BUT part of me would rather enjoy a genuine antique, I can add something to its story ... besides the older and more beat up the closer it would look like the hat in the game

The killer is collapsible top hats, both old and new, run the gamut of super cheap to ridiculously expensive and everything in between.

So I'm asking what you top hat owners recommend. Go cheap and new? Look around for an antique? How's the spring mechanism in these things? If I get an antique is it likely to not pop?

There's a video on this magician's website that shows the new cheap version and its popping action. Looks okay but the brim is flat and dull, the thing has no style.

 

[HaggardSage]

I prefer vintage hats, but for my top hat, a vintage mechanism throws a variable in that I was uncomfortable with using on an older hat. If you're only going to need it for a short time see if you can rent one from a tux shop. You also might be able to rent one while in London. If it one you're going to keep, get a new one because I'd want to make sure the mechanism worked correctly and if I needed it to look a bit aged, I would consider a little Fullers earth. One more thing we all know, you get what you pay for, choose wisely.

 

[Cameron1138]

Can't offer much help, but it is definitely good that you want a collapsible one. I got a non-collapsible one for my Jacob cosplay and definitely regretted it. It would be so nice to be able to fold it up and stick it in my sash...

 

[LUNA REPLICAS]

I can tell you that a vintage Opera hat (collapsible topper) will be brittle and not good for traveling as it will fall apart.
There is a company in New York that makes a very good modern Opera hat. That being said, just from photos and screen caps from the game, it doesn't look like Jacob Frye is wearing a collapsible Opera hat, but rather a regular topper. There is a difference, unfortunately, one major difference is that Opera hats do not generally have a thick ribbon or "mourning band" around them, they are just satin silk with a small ribbon. The one in photos of Frye show a thicker ribbon. A regular topper always has a thicker ribbon or mourning band (ribbon is black grosgrain and shiny, a mourning band is a dull black wool, originally worn to funerals).

Also, real good top hats and Opera hats are shiny silk or plush beaver fur, and it doesn't look like Frye's hat has any sheen to it. I'd say it's probably a wool top hat, which fortunately is the cheapest version at well under $100.

In any case, you're looking at about $50-600, depending on how far you want to take it. Real top hats aren't cheap, which I recently found out when I got married. For accuracy and a costume I'd recommend the wool top hat here: http://nethats.com/products/prince-phillip-victorian-top-hat-in-black

Or, if you are set on getting a collapsible Opera hat, check here: http://nethats.com/products/collapsible-silk-top-hat-in-black
OR, if you want to go all out and get a real beaver top hat, check here: http://www.darcyclothing.com/shop/hats/tall-top-hats-ha111.html

I hope this all helps!

-Max

 

[MystArt]

Just thought I'd update you folks .... I bought a vintage hat off eBay for a fairly reasonable price and it is spectacular!