Trilby, Homburg, & Pork Pie Hat Guide

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TRILBY

Also referred to as a sloucher or slouch hat and named for the heroine of an 1894 novel by George Du Maurier. The trilby is sort of a little brother to the standard fedora. Like the fedora, the trilby also features a creased tapered crown with a front pinch but it's slightly more streamlined with a shorter snap brim which usually features a simple sewn edge and sometimes a very narrow band across the bottom of the crown. Originally associated primarily with the trench coat, the trilby evolved in the 1920s to a softer hat worn often in the English countryside and also at the racetrack. For these reasons, it's typically seen as a slightly more informal hat than the standard Fedora but not by much. In recent years, small trilbies with very narrow brims often printed in loud patterns across the hat and made from synthetic materials became a popular fashion item, however, these types of trilbies also quickly developed something of an unsavory reputation and brought the standard fedora down with them to a certain extent. However, if you stick to wearing a classically styled trilby, as I do for most of my own personal hats, you'll be able to overcome this stigma. Also, they do look particularly good on men with strong facial features so take that into consideration as well.

HOMBURG

Next to the top hat, the Homburg is the most formal of all men's hats. It's named from the German spa and resort town where it was first seen and also where it was popularized by King Edward the seventh when he was then still Prince of Wales, on vacation in the 1890s. Proper for both day and evening wear, the black or dark blue Homburg is worn with a dark business suit, stroller suit, or tuxedo depending on the occasion and also pairs well with a Chesterfield overcoat in winter in other various colors. Also, if you'd like to check out our guide on proper Black Tie attire as well as our guide on morning dress, you can consult those guides here. The Homburg is constructed with much more stiffness than the fedora and features a brim with a slight curl around the edge that's also typically faced in the same sort of ribbon that you'll find around the crown. Speaking of the crown, the homburg's crown is typically very tall and also features a center dent. A favorite hat of diplomats and politicians like Winston Churchill and also featured prominently in The Godfather film series, the Homburg typically looks best on old and more distinguished gentlemen as well as men with defined facial features. You can still wear a Homburg if you have a rounder face, however, just try to find one with a slightly lower crown and a bit of a wider brim to balance things out.

PORK PIE

Also called the English pastry hat, the pork pie got its name from its telescoped crown which features a slight lip around the upper edge of the crown and therefore looks similar to a traditional English meat pie. Normally featuring a snap brim, pork pies flourished among college students in the 1930s and were also popularized by Hollywood stars like Fred Astaire and Cary Grant. Pork pies are definitely on the more casual end of the spectrum as full brimmed hats go and they can tend to give the wearer a slightly squat appearance. As such, shorter men and men with rounder faces should exercise caution when wishing to wear a pork pie.

Out of the styles that we covered today, which one do you think that you might be able to incorporate into your wardrobe first?
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Gentleman's Gazette
#trilbyhat #porkpiehat #homburghat

[tim_]

I'm literally from Bad Homburg. Never thought I'd see my hometown on this channel 😀
Great guide, and since I'm from Bad Homburg I shall try the Homburg

[Mr-Tibbster]

Of all these, I'm a pork-pie hat man, myself. I'm a short guy, but with a slender build, I tend to go for the ones with a flat brim and shorter crown. I find it goes with all sorts of things I tend to wear, be it causal or smarter, very versatile.

[BL-gctv]

Wearing a brown pork pie around Barcelona for the last 3 days and receiving many curious and positive looks.

[WyattsTrue]

Several years ago, I inherited a vintage homburg in dark blue from my late great-uncle, that I had cleaned and reblocked. This video helps me to be more confident about how and when to wear this great hat. Thank you!

[teebee]

The Homburg has always been my first choice for formal wear, appealing to the Gentleman in me! Very grateful for your guidance Sir! 🙏🏽

[westlisbon]

Superfluous compliment: I absolutely love your glasses. They make the entire video.

Sincere compliment: Helpful and informative video. Your glasses fit properly and compliment your style well. Thank you

[NomadicBrian]

Fedora or Trilby for me. Love all the old noir films from the 30s, 40s and 50s. Wore a fedora often with a Pierre Cardin black wool overcoat when I live and worked in NYC. I still like a straw fedora or Trilby for summer. Even for sports teams I like this look. I just purchased an orange with black band straw Trilby and stuck a clear button logo for the Baltimore Orioles on it.

[TimothyRCrowe]

I'm seriously considering a bowler (derby) hat. Patiently awaiting a video on these hats with advice for wearing and matching.

[hillorenz]

That jawline is so sharp I can cut wood with it

[sanam]

Dear Preston, you have got the most clearest aacent that I have ever heard. Can you please give me tips on how to clear my accent as well and I would be grateful if you make a video on how to clear accent. God bless you and continue with your best work.
Thanks.☺

[eoinmaclean]

I love the look of a homburg...it’s classic, distinguished, and stylish. Jeremy Brett often wore one when acting as Sherlock Holmes.

[SpencerSinn]

I am a huge fan of the pork pie hat, and have 4 in various colors and materials.

[charlesmizelle]

Nice to see Preston back. Another great video.

[JewishKeto]

How can people NOT love hats?! They are fun. I am a religious Jew and wear a trilby.

[RePete]

I've recently moved back up north from the tropics. Hats have become a part of my new wardrobe. My preferences are the English Flat Cap, the Diamond Pork Pie and the Round Crown Pork Pie.

[marksamuel]

I added a fedora and a trilby to my dress wear. Tried a homburg but was to big for my face but I love them😂. Maybe if I can find one with a lower crown. Great video, thanks

[mrnobody]

I'm more of a bowler hat kind of person, and I wear flat caps on casual occasions. I do have a soft spot for homburg, too bad the one I have doesn't match my head shape. At one time in my life I did wear a fedora / trilby, but nowadays there is a stigma attached to it.

[cevansPhotographer]

Very informative as usual, information well presented. ! 'm looking to incorporate a Fedora & Trilby soon,

[papajahmani]

I bought a burgundy homburg from Firenze few years back, and it seems to go well with black, gray and even white. Definitely makes me feel more upper classy, and seems to ask for more formal attire in order to feel good. Made me also buy a white panama hat for summer use, as it doesn't require formal wear, and goes well with lighter summer styles.

[legoeater]

I like that Preston is back for another video! For a while - it was a little weird for him to be on here, but I'm used to him being on here now!