Black Wool Felt Riding Top Hat

Victorian Late / Bustle · 1860s-1880s · American

A black wool felt top hat with a tall cylindrical crown approximately 5-6 inches in height and a narrow curved brim. The crown maintains a straight vertical profile with slightly rounded edges at the top. The brim curves gently upward at the sides and back, creating the characteristic silhouette of a riding hat. The felt appears to have a smooth, dense finish with a subtle sheen. A thin black ribbon band encircles the base of the crown. This style represents the formal equestrian headwear worn by both men and women during the Victorian era, designed to provide protection while maintaining the rigid dress codes of upper-class sporting activities.