Trilby vs. Fedora

[feltfan]

I have always assumed that "trilby" is just
English for "fedora". On closer examination,
a trilby seems to be a sort of fedora- perhaps
with a medium width brim (~2"), a shorter
crown with a lower front, and a medium-width ribbon.

Anyone know the history and definition of the
trilby?

 

[jake_fink]

Wasn't she Svengali's protege?

Which probably doesn't help.

 

["Doc" Devereux]

The trilby takes its name from the play based on George du Maurier's 1894 novel. A hat of this style was worn on stage during its first London production and thus it shares etymology with the fedora, which takes its name from the title of a 1882 play by Victorien Sardou. The heroine of that play, Princess Fedora Romazova, wore the style of hat that we now all love so well.

Wasn't she Svengali's protege?

Which probably doesn't help.

I don't know - probably did wonders for Svengali.

 

[Snrbfshn]

Examining the auction listings from across the big pond...

It seems to me that trilby is both a synonym for fedora and a specific design. Vintage fedoras by Dobbs, Stetson, Lock, Dunn & Co., etc. are described by British sellers as trilbies. And there's those narrow brim, tapered crown hats invariably called trilbies that bear no real similarity to a classic fedora. Sorta like folks over here who call a hat "cap" with no regard to its design.

 

[nightandthecity]

In the mid 20th century the sort of hat an American would call a fedora was always called a trilby in Britain. So trilby and fedora are basically the same thing.

I have a feeling that the useage is now changing. I?¢‚ǨÀúve noticed in the last few years some younger Britons have started using ?¢‚Ǩ?ìfedora?¢‚Ǩ? for 1920s-1950s style hats and are reserving ?¢‚Ǩ?ìtrilby?¢‚Ǩ? for those tiny brimmed floppy tweed things that became popular amongst older men in the 60s and 70s. It remains to be seen if this useage becomes general. I hope not, as to me a fedora will always be a trilby. And the radio will always be the wireless.

 

[Aerol]

English usage

James Lock lists both trilbies and fedoras.

http://www.lockhatters.co.uk/index.taf

Fedoras seem larger and more formal than fedoras.

 

[Aerol]

Oops

Fedoras seem larger and more formal than trilbies!!

 

[David V]

The fedora is a 'town' hat. The trilby is a hat favored in the country and track by those in the thoroughbred community.

Both are soft, fur felt hats.

At the Lock site see the Weatherby and Sandown.

 

[Raindog]

In England Trilbys are normally taken to be the small brimmed, tartan or check fabric, low crown abominations worn by old men who drive Morris Minors and rant about young people.
Fedoras are regarded as the fur felt, wider wrimmed, stylish hats worn by actors and chic men about town.
The difference between England and America is the Morris Man phenomenon. He is a despised and ridiculed figure.


Jeff.

 

[Senator Jack]

Yeah, I always thought trilbies were the narrow brimmed hunting/racing hats. Ask for one in a shop and they'll show you a fedora.

My Oxford reads :

Brit. a soft felt hat with a narrow brim and indented crown.

Hmm. Doesn't really tell us much.

Has anyone posted a definitive visual glossary on this site. Matt? WildRoot? Who wants to get cracking on this?

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[Senator Jack]

Posted by Raindog:

In England Trilbys are normally taken to be the small brimmed, tartan or check fabric, low crown abominations worn by old men who drive Morris Minors and rant about young people.

Kingsley Amis R.I.P.

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[Raindog]

Here's a typical trilby owner.....

As you can see....A lack of style and grace.....
I got the car wrong though. He doesn't drive a Morris Minor (a rather cute car). He drives an Austin Allegro.


Important to get it right

Jeff.

 

[Aerol]

James Lock

James Lock has no tweed hats on their trilbies page. They do have tweed hats, but on a separate page with plaid caps, etc.