Complete Guide to the Bowler (Derby) Hat & How To Wear It

The bowler hat with a black suit and umbrella was once the "walking out" dress for British officers, which is why it is seen when veterans march with their former units in the UK.

This is a great video. I actually had no idea the bowler hat was primarily seen as a working class hat for so long. As a blue collar man who works with his hands, I've been trying to introduce more timeless looks (mostly I love Edwardian styles) into the way I dress every day, even while on the job. I know you mostly seem to make videos on very formal wear, but I'd really like to see a video for blue collar workers like myself and how we can look our best while being practical and vintage.

Just a quick point for our American friends - Leicester is pronounced "les-ter" rather than "lie-ster" :)

I have been waiting for this video for 2 years. I utterly adore bowler hats and am so happy we finally have a definitive guide on them with the mellifluous narration of Preston's voice.

I think a bowler hat looks best when paired with an all white outfit, complete with suspenders, a jockstrap and a pair of black combat boots. That really sharpens you up for a bit of the old ultraviolence!

I first started to love the bowler after seeing it from cartoons and comics like Tin Tin. I even have a photo of my great great grand father Chief Yellowhammer, newly released as a prisoner of war in 1905 from the Modoc war, return to Oregon and he had a bowler clutched in his hand. So I got my first bowler in 7th grade a Bailey from the local haberdasher in Portland and wore it during more formal settings but I always noticed people wearing them in tough situations like heavy work in movies. I always wondered why in movies based in the West and early 20th century seen the bowler worn in all situations. So I started to wear the hat all the time but got disappointed that it started to lose its shape from rain. I currently work at the railroad and occasionally will wear my original worn out bowler at work in cooler weather because it's wool and I still like the idea of an all purpose hat like I grew up watching. I do have a more nicer one which I wear in more cleaner conditions. It's still my favorite hat to pair with my wool top coat in the winter along with my top hats.

It’s ironic how the most versatile accessories are the underrated ones. Because stiff hats are mostly if not all the most formal, but the Bowler hat was also common amongst the middle class but also in the aristocracy.

The bowler was actually the original hat of the Cowboy. As cattlemen moved westward, the most common hat seen was the bowler.

I have a Bowler from Diefenthal in Colone, Germany, and I love it.

There is nothing like learning history. This was trove of knowledge that opens one mind and see the bowler hat from a different angle. Im getting one ! Maybe in brown. Thank you !

Preston looking like the riddler more than ever in this video

Bowler Hat is one of my favourite out of other hats

With Bowler hat comes great responsibility, never forget!

I wear one of these every day.

The bowler is objectively the most cool hat in existence!

Thank you Preston, and all involved at Gentlemen’s Gazette for an informative episode on one of my favorite hat styles. I have several in my collection - some vintage others custom made. I appreciate seeing other folks enjoying and wearing and Derby/Bowler hat. ~Jed 🤠

You say bowler hats aren't crushable but I own an original from the 1930s that was sold as "The Pliable" and that one actually is

Thanks to you guys I finally made a decision and bought a bowler hat ( genuine vintage one ), it's great it fits very well, good condition, looks great and obviously its real vintage. So thank you very much Gentelman's Gazette and keep up the good work. PS. Please just one small video about frock coats please.

A very interesting video—although I was flabbergasted that it wasn’t until the 14:21 mark that A Clockwork Orange was given its due as a sartorial statement!

Excellent material, as always!