Despite being among the most popular hats of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, many people are unfamiliar with the Homburg Hat. Because it resembles other classic hat styles, the Homburg is frequently grouped with hats such as the Trilby, Fedora, or Bowler. The Homburg is a one-of-a-kind fashion accessory worn by various major figures and celebrities throughout modern history.
So, exactly what is a Homburg Hat? How should you put it on? Finally, what distinguishes the Homburg from other classic hats?
In today’s guide, we’ll answer all these queries and more, but first, let’s take a look at the Homburg’s basic design and history.
The Homburg Hat and Its History
The Homburg hat is distinguished by its distinctive crown and brim. The edges of the crown are rounded, and there is a single dent coursing down the center. Like other hat styles popular in the nineteenth century, the Homburg has an upward curling brim.
The Homburg curl, however, is distinct in that it delivers a tight curl in marked contradiction to an otherwise flat brim. Because of the upturned edge’s small diameter, this style is known as a “pencil curl.”
You might be speculating why it’s called a Homburg Hat. It’s a reasonable query, but the answer is unusual. There is little evidence that the Homburg Hat was invented, but we know how it received its name and became so popular.
In the 1890s, Edward VII, the future King of England, returned from a trip to Germany wearing a Homburg Hat. It was given this name after Edward VII visited Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, a district in the German state of Hesse. As a result, everybody in England began to refer to it as the Homburg!
As a royal, Edward VII wielded more power over fashion and style than most English citizens. As a result, the new hat style quickly became popular, with many copies and variations produced in the years that followed the king’s fateful journey.
It also didn’t hurt that the Homburg resembled popular styles at the time, notably the Bowler. Like the Bowler Hat, the Homburg Hat offered a less formal substitute for the top hat, making it a popular option for a wider range of occasions.
The Homburg Hat remained popular on both sides of the Atlantic throughout the twentieth century. Winston Churchill popularized the Homburg among men in England, and Dwight D. Eisenhower considered it the hat of choice in the US during his presidency. Though the Homburg hat fell out of favor in the 1950s and 1960s, it resurfaced when Al Pacino wore one in The Godfather.
The Homburg saw another decline in use as men’s and women’s headwear became less formal in the second half of the twentieth century. However, by the 2010s, the hat had returned, as many trendsetters and fashion designers wore it as a retro accessory. The Homburg has reclaimed much of its former luster as a luxurious and stylish hat for both women and men.
Traditional Felt Hat Originating in Germany
A Homburg is a felt hat with a single dent running down the center of the crown and a brim curled tightly upwards. It appears to be similar to the Fedora and Trilby; however, those hats have snappable, soft brims and can have varying designs squeezed into the crown, whereas a Homburg’s shape is fixed.
The Homburg is typically made of wool or fur felt, with a brim treatment that might include a feather and grosgrain hatband. The “Lord’s Hat” is a variant form that lacks the edge ribbon and can optionally be pinched. The Homburg is available in nearly every color, but the most common are grey, black, and brown.
How to Wear a Homburg Hat
Like other classic hats, the Homburg is designed to be worn in specific positions. You can still express yourself through your sense of style. You can also change how you wear the Homburg hat depending on the length of your hair. There are four “accepted” styles of Homburg wear: flat, declined, inclined, and slanted.
The flat look has been the “standard” way to wear the Homburg throughout history. Pull the hat down so that there is approximately half an inch of space between the top of your ear and the brim (the precise distance may vary based on the style of the brim and hat size).
The crown must be snug against your head’s sides, with some space between the crown and the top of the head for breathability. Finally, the brim should be perfectly parallel to the ground (i.e., “flat”).
The inclined style is much less formal and has grown in popularity recently. The crown is often positioned more gently on the head in this position, with plenty of space between the crown’s interior and the top of the head.
Furthermore, the brim is inclined, with the front of the brim positioned at an upward angle. This style is often preferable for people with long, voluminous hair (check out amazing ways to volumize your hair here!) because it does not necessitate wearing the hat tightly against your head.
The style is neither informal nor formal. It necessitates wearing the hat closer to the head, with the brim’s front angled downwards. This is a great way to keep a low profile or the sun out of your eyes; however, it can also make you appear as if you’re trying to hide something, so use caution!
Finally, the slanted style has been among the most popular options for the standard position for nearly a century. The brim of this style is angled to one side, slightly downward. This fashionable and sleek position allows you to tailor your look to your personal preferences.
The Homburg hat is a one-of-a-kind hat with a lengthy and illustrious history. It has been donned by a few of the world’s most powerful people, and it now provides a way for fashionable people to appreciate retro accessories. It is a great way for women and men to stand out from the crowd by wearing one of the most classic and elegant hat styles!