What Is the History and Significance of the Bowler Hat?

TL;DR

The bowler hat was invented in 1849 by Locke & Co. for gamekeepers to provide durable headwear that would withstand low-hanging branches. Initially practical, its style evolved into a symbol of fashion and class, becoming deeply embedded in London's menswear culture. The Museum of London explores this history and employs modern techniques, like x-rays and isotope analysis, to uncover and present the stories behind bowler hats in their collection.

Transcript

good afternoon evening everyone my name is Timothy long curator of fashion decorative arts at the Museum of London I've worked at the museum now for about a year and a half within the fashion and decorative arts collection prior to that I was curator of fashion and decorative arts at the Chicago History Museum hence the accent and so I worked there... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧔‍♀️ Menswear is becoming a dominant force in the fashion industry, with London projected to sell more men's clothing than women's clothing by 2016.
• 🤠 The history of menswear, particularly the bowler hat, holds significant cultural and historical value.
• 🤠 The Museum of London is using innovative techniques to conduct research and uncover the stories behind the hats in their collection.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is the Museum of London focusing on menswear?

The Museum of London aims to support and promote the menswear industry, which is projected to surpass women's clothing sales in London by 2016.

Q: What is the significance of the bowler hat?

The bowler hat was originally created as protective headwear for gamekeepers and later became a popular formal hat. It holds historical and cultural importance, making it a subject of research for the Museum of London.

Q: How is the museum researching the bowler hat's origins?

The museum is using innovative techniques such as x-rays and isotope analysis to examine the construction, materials, and origins of the bowler hats in their collection, considering factors like the type of wool used and the origin of the feathers.

Q: What is the Museum of London's relationship with Lock & Co., the company associated with the creation of the bowler hat?

The museum is establishing a relationship with Lock & Co. to explore any existing records or correspondence related to the original order of the bowler hat in 1849, which will help strengthen their research on the hat's history.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Museum of London has a passion for menswear and is working to promote the menswear industry in London.

• London is projected to sell more men's clothing than women's clothing by 2016, leading to the establishment of separate men's and women's fashion weeks.

• The museum is conducting research on the history of menswear, specifically focusing on the bowler hat and its origins.

• They are using innovative techniques such as x-rays and isotope analysis to uncover the stories behind the hats in their collection.