Brabanter Hat

What is a Brabanter hat? The Brabanter hat is a very large, almost gigantic headgear that can be seen in a painting from the 15th century. It is a precursor to the top hat. However, unlike today's top hat, the brim is much wider and appears significantly thicker. Additionally, the crown of the Brabanter hat is not uniformly wide. At the bottom, the hat's diameter is much smaller, gradually widening towards the top.

Later, the Brabanter hat was imitated by merchants from Bremen and further developed through Spanish fashion influences.

The Brabanter hat became known through a painting published in 1434 by the Dutch painter Jan van Eyck. The painting, titled The Arnolfini Portrait, depicts a man and a woman. The woman wears a long green dress, and the man wears a long overcoat, reminiscent of a poncho or cloak, along with the typically oversized hat.

Over the last centuries, the Brabanter hat has evolved significantly and can be seen in the form of today's top hat, which is a true classic hat style.