Beaver Hat

What is a beaver hat? The beaver hat is a felt hat made of beaver fur (Latin: Castor = beaver) and was the precursor to the famous top hat. It was trendy from the late 18th to the mid-19th century and was worn by both men and women.

The history of the beaver hat dates back a long way; as early as the 16th century in Europe, beaver pelts were used to make headwear. The English country gentry first wore beaver hats around 1780. At that time, this unique hat already had a cylindrical shape and a moderately wide brim.

The beaver hats were very durable and were characterised by exceptional durability, as beaver fur could be felted very well. From 1830 onwards, the beaver hat was increasingly made of silk or plush and ultimately displaced by the much lower and more practical top hat.