Derby

What is a Derby? A Derby refers to a grey top hat or grey bowler hat that was typically worn with a specific overcoat (Covercoat) following the example of Lord Derby around the turn of the century.

The Derby was one of King Edward VII's favourite hats. Gerhard Hauptmann also liked to wear it, long after the hat had gone out of fashion.

After a long hiatus, the hat resurfaced in 1950 in Paris, where it became popular at the racecourses, especially in Chantilly on the day of the Prix du Jockey-Club, the French Derby.