The History of the Pork Pie Hat: A Rare Piece of Men's Fashion History
The pork pie hat is a staple of men’s fashion from the roaring 1920s onward and has been creeping back into modern fashion as of late. There are few hats that have such rich history, but it is a bit of forgotten history. Men at this time are obsessed with newfangled fedoras, old-timey caps, and vintage top hats—all staples of the pre-war period—yet few know about the pork pie! The return of this style indicates a resurgent interest in early 20th century menswear, which we couldn’t be happier about. Let’s learn more about this rare piece of men’s fashion history!
The History of the Pork Pie Hat
The modern pork pie hat dates back to the late 19th century, with the original style predating that by about a century. Historians believe that the original pork pie hat was created in Spain in the early 19th century, but it was never popular. The original pork pie hat was a wide-brimmed hat that was worn by men in the Spanish countryside, but it disappeared by the end of the 19th century. The modern pork pie hat emerged in the 1880s and 1890s in the West End of London, where it was called a “stovepipe.” The stovepipe was a three-inch wide-brimmed hat that was extremely popular with men in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. Like the original pork pie, the stovepipe was a working man’s hat, and it was worn by both upper-class and working class men. While the stovepipe is one of the more notable hats of this period, it is the pork pie that has survived the ages.
Why is it Called a Pork Pie Hat?
The pork pie hat is called a pork pie because it was created from the scraps of a pie! In the mid-19th century, the stovepipe hat was the popular hat of the day, but it was very expensive to produce. The hats were made from silk that was woven and then boiled in water to shrink it, which created a unique texture. To save money, hatters began to make the stovepipe hats with scraps of silk that were too small to make anything else. These scraps were called “pork pies” because they were small pieces of meat that were thrown to the dogs. At the time, “pork” was used as an adjective to describe something that was scraps, or “not worth anything.” Somehow, this term was applied to these stovepipe hats, which were indeed made from scraps of silk.
The Original Pork Pie Hat
The original pork pie hat was widely worn in the early 20th century. It was a much more conservative style compared to the three-inch wide-brimmed stovepipe. The original pork pie hat was a fedora-style hat with a two-inch wide brim. It was a very masculine hat and a staple of society at this time, with both upper-class and working-class men wearing it. The original pork pie was also called a “straw hat” in the early 20th century. The original pork pie was first created when men began wearing stiffer hats, like top hats and bowlers. To protect these hats, they began wearing smaller-brimmed hats, like the pork pie.
Who Wore the Pork Pie Hat?
The pork pie hat, both the original and the stovepipe, was worn by all manner of people during the Edwardian period. It was popular with men from all walks of life, from working-class men to upper-class men, and from businessmen to gents. The stovepipe was mostly worn by men in the upper-class and middle-class, but the original pork pie was worn by all types of men. It was a very popular hat for its low maintenance, and it was the hat that men wore when they were out in the countryside or when they were working. Edwardian men wore a wide range of hats depending on their social standing, profession, and the weather. There were top hats and bowlers for formal occasions and fancy events, while bowler hats were worn daily work apparel. There were different types of hats for different types of weather, including soft, wide-brimmed hats for bad weather, and silk hats for warm weather. Wide-brimmed hats were worn to protect against the sun and the rain, while silk hats were worn to protect the wearer from UV rays.
The Rebirth of the Pork Pie Hat
The stovepipe has had a bit of a resurgence in recent years, though it is still not as popular as the original pork pie. The original pork pie hat has seen a rebirth since the 2010s, becoming a staple of vintage and retro looks. This is thanks to both the “vintage” craze and the resurgence of Americana style. While the original pork pie has been around for centuries, it is still a very modern hat and feels fresh in the 21st century. The stovepipe had a bit of a comeback in the 1960s and 1970s, as it was worn by notable men of the time, like John F. Kennedy and Sean Connery. The stovepipe even made a brief comeback after the Great Depression. It was mostly worn by men in the upper-class and middle-class, but the stovepipe disappeared in the 1940s.
Where to buy pork pie hats
You can buy your pork pie hats from Taylor Hats. We have an excellent collection of them for you to choose from. And remember we have a 90 day return policy and free exchanges to make sure you get the perfect one. Shop men's pork pie hats.
Conclusion
The modern pork pie hat traces its roots back to the Edwardian period, when men wore small-brimmed hats to protect themselves from the sun and rain. The original pork pie hat was created from the scraps of a pie because the silk fabric was too expensive to waste. The original pork pie was a fedora-style hat with a two-inch brim, while the stovepipe was a three-inch wide-brimmed hat that was popular with both upper-class and working-class men. The stovepipe has had a resurgence in recent years, but it is still not as popular as the original pork pie. The original pork pie has been making a comeback since the 2010s, becoming a staple of vintage and retro looks.